The full moon shone down on him as he stood in the yard. He gazed up at the pale orb in the sky in awe as he dropped the toy that he had picked up. He stood transfixed by the moon, a strange feeling consuming him. His muscles enlarged and his features became more dragon-like than anything. Cedar colored hair began to cover his body like millions of tiny snakes scrambling to consume his flesh. His eyes darkened, changing the pupils into thin, snake-like slits. He opened his mouth and ran his broad tongue over his fangs, enjoying the feeling. These fangs were definitely meant for crushing bones and other things... Rion walked out of the house to retrieve his missing son and stopped in shock at what he saw. Clarinet stood there, a curious mixture of dragon and primate. He looked like a lizard turned monkey, or the other way around. However one took it, the sight was extremely frightening. Rion took a step towards Clarinet and Clarinet turned in his direction, his large ears acutely sensing his father's movement. Unfortunately, in his current state, he had no memory of his father or what he truly was. All he knew was that he wanted to destroy and kill and his first victim was right in front of him. He bared his fangs and bent his legs as he prepared himself for an attack. Pan walked out of the house onto the porch with Taro in her arms and screamed in terror when she saw the enormous beast. She clung tightly to Taro and searched frantically around for Clarinet. "Taro, where's your brother?" she asked and Taro pointed out to where the creature stood. "Out there," Taro replied. "When do I get my tail back?" "It has to be washed, honey. Oh, I hope he's all right. Rion! I can't find Clarinet!" "It's all right. I know where he is. Go back inside, Pan," Rion replied as he transformed into a Super Saiyen. He searched the enormous beast's eyes for his son but found nothing but the desire to kill. He wished he knew what to do as he searched his mind for the link with his mother. He soon found it and gave thanks that it was open. He closed his eyes momentarily as he sent out a thought to his mother, requesting his father's presence at his home, then dodged a heavy paw that came swiftly out of nowhere. He flew into the air, much to the frustration of the Namek turned primate and tried to keep as much distance away from his son as he could. He didn't want to hurt him, but he didn't know how to get him back to normal since the Saiyens with tails happened long before his time. Clarinet lumbered forward and Rion drew back. He glanced behind him at his house and knew that he had to direct his werewolf stricken son away from the house for Taro and Pan's sake. He slowly changed directions, flying backwards inch by inch as the enraged creature continued to strike the annoying pest down. He kept dodging Clarinet's deadly swipes and continued to search for the sign of his son that was buried deep within the incarnate's mind. "I know you're in there. Please listen to me. I don't know what got you this way but this isn't your will. This isn't your nature. Please stop before you really hurt something," Rion said and screamed in pain as a large, muscular paw clubbed his side. He fell head first through the canopy of the forest, breaking numerous branches with his fall. His body hit squarely on a large rock and Rion exhaled sharply. He tried to move and winced at the pain that just moving one finger brought. He sighed as he closed his eyes. He knew that he got like his grandfather at times but he was not stupid enough to keep his monstrous son at bay in the condition that he was currently in. He closed his eyes and sent the message once more to his mother. He felt her presence and sighed in relief. Help would be coming soon, he thought as he used the last of his strength to place himself in a healing trance. He just hoped that they wouldn't be too late. ***************** They appeared in the midst of the damaged forest. Loren looked around at the injured wildlife and blinked her eyes. Trunks laid a hand on her shoulder and she glanced at him. "Come on," he said. "We need to find Rion." "I know. I just wish I could do something about all this. Look at how many animals are in pain," Loren said as Trunks drew her away. "I know but he needs my help otherwise he wouldn't have contacted you like that. Where is he? Oh my..." They arrived at the clearing where Rion's house was except someone or something else had located it too. Pan stood on the porch, holding a terrified yet awed Taro, watching the incarnate of the full moon come towards her. She was too frightened to move and she watched helplessly as the beast lumbered forward. Without a word, Trunks transformed and flew towards the enormous beast. Loren watched him for a moment, then turned her attention to locating Rion. She felt his presence, in a state of healing, and tried to get the location of her son. He was severely injured, she could tell, as Trunks drew the incarnate away from the house just like Rion had done. She had to go to him, to help him. That was the last request that he had made of her. To bring Trunks and to heal him. She began walking, guided only by the faint spark of energy that he emitted. Trunks watched her leave for a second then turned his attention back to Clarinet. He was thankful that he had been so determined in matching Loren's speed for all that training paid off when it came to avoiding deadly blows from monstrous paws beset heavily with claws. He wondered, as the beast made another futile swipe at him, what had brought the creature out from the wilderness. A cloud cover came out of nowhere, fully blocking the moon. Trunks watched as before his eyes, the monster diminished, changing back into the recognizable shape of a Namek. When he had fully reverted back to normal, Clarinet lay there, sleeping soundly on the soft grass with his tail wrapped around his leg. Trunks stared at him for a moment, then picked him up and carried him to Pan who was overcome with shock from the whole situation. "Can I turn into a giant monkey, too Grandpa?" Taro asked and Pan stared at him. "You aren't turning into a monkey. You're too nice of a boy to be a monkey," she said and Taro sighed. "I don't wanna be nice. I wanna be a monkey. Clarinet's nice and he gets to be a monkey. Why can't I be one?" "Why did that happen? That wasn't him. That's not the young Namek we know. Why did it happen?" "I'm not really sure but I think it has to do with the tail," Trunks replied. "Where's Rion? Rion drew him away from the house so we wouldn't get hurt. What happened to him?" Pan asked. "Loren's taking care of him. He'll be okay. Why don't we get this little one inside? He's exhausted." ************ "Wake up," Taro said as he shook Clarinet. The young Namek yawned and gazed at his brother. "What do you want?" he asked as Taro gazed intently at him. "How'd you do it?" "Do what?" "Turn into a great big monkey thing. You stomped on trees and everything. I wanna do that. I wanna be a monkey and stomp on trees and climb mountains and smash buildings and..." "I don't know what you're talking about." "Yes you do. You knocked Daddy to the ground. I don't think you meant to, though. Anyway, it looked like you were having lots of fun." "I hurt Father?" "I dunno. I didn't see you do it. I felt his energy drop so I thought you did it." "Where is he now?" "I don't know. Grandma's taking care of him, I think." "She's here too? What about Grandpa?" "He brought you in. You were fast asleep without any clothes. You looked funny. Mommy would have gotten mad with me if I slept outside without any clothes. Why do you get to have all the fun?" "What are you talking about?" "You don't know?" "No. What are you talking about?" "Hey, you two. It's late. You need to go to sleep and be quiet. Your father needs some rest. You can see him in the morning, all right?" Trunks asked as he came into the room. "Will you read a story first?" Taro asked and Trunks nodded his head. "All right. Rion will be okay soon, all right?" "All right," Clarinet replied as Trunks sat on the edge of the bed and took the book that Taro had given him. "Okay. Now, lie back and I'll read to you." ************ Clarinet stepped into his parent's bedroom and sat in a corner. He stared at the bed where Loren sat, running her hands over Rion. Pan stood by the window and watched Loren do her work. "Clarinet, come on over here," Loren said and Pan looked in the corner. "I didn't know he was in here," Pan said. "He'll be okay soon, sweetie." "Are you sure?" Clarinet asked as Pan set him on the bed. "Yes. He'll be awake shortly. Here," Loren said and laid his hand on Rion's. She stood up and walked out of the room. She came downstairs and watched Trunks play with Taro for a moment then sat down. "How is he?" Trunks asked. "He'll be okay soon," Loren replied. "I bet Clarinet feels terrible, although he couldn't help it." "He does." "I wanna be a big monkey," Taro said and Loren looked at him. "What about a little monkey?" she asked. "With a tail?" "If you want." "Yay!" "You better not lose him like you did the last time," Trunks said as he watched Loren change Taro into a monkey. "You distracted me," she replied. "Remember when you changed into a rabbit? I was so sure that Father was going to kill me." "He was going to kill you because of what you doing." "You weren't complaining." "Well...no...I liked it." Trunks embraced her as she watched Taro run about the room. Trunks gently bit her ear and she laid a hand over his. "That was pretty embarrassing. Having my faced buried where it was when he came up behind us..." "Well you confused me by using the word explore." "I WAS exploring. I think you'd better change him back before Pan gets upset." "All right." "Aw...I was having fun," Taro protested after Loren had changed him back to normal. "We don't want you to get in trouble with your mother," Trunks said and Taro ran up the stairs. "Mom! I was a monkey!" Taro cried and Trunks shook his head. "He reminds me of Goten." "You two got into a lot of trouble when you were little didn't you?" Loren asked. "Yeah. We got yelled at a lot." "He's awake." "Good." **************** Rion awoke only to find himself gazing into Clarinet's tear-filed eyes. He sat up with some pain and embraced his son. Clarinet wept in his arms as Rion stroked his antennae. "It's all right. I know you didn't mean it. You weren't yourself last night," Rion said. "I--I didn't even know that I had done it. Taro told me that something happened to you. He said I must have done something but I don't remember any of last night. All I remember is looking at the moon then Taro woke me up." "I'm not upset with you. You didn't know what you were doing. I understand." "Why did I have to get a tail? I don't want to hurt anyone." "I know you don't. You're a lot like my mother. Speaking of my mother, is she still here?" "Yes," Pan said. "Good. Come on, little guy, why don't we go down and see them?" Rion asked as he wiped the tears from Clarinet's eyes. "Do you know why that scary thing happened? I don't want it to happen again." "No. I don't know why it happened. That's why I want to talk to Mom and Dad. I want to see if they have any ideas, all right? Now don't feel guilty. I love you, all right?" "All right. Thank you, Daddy." "You're welcome. You're the only little Namek I have." Clarinet smiled and Rion grinned as the young Namek's tail wagged back and forth. He carried him out of the room with Pan behind him. "I'm so glad you're okay. He's felt so terrible about this," she said and Rion kissed Clarinet's antennae once more. "Don't worry about it anymore. It's all right. Everything will be fine. Let's go talk to Mom and Dad and see if we can get all this straightened out," Rion said. "Where's Taro?" "Downstairs I guess. I thought he was in here." "He's downstairs," Clarinet said and Rion looked at him. "You sure?" he asked and Clarinet nodded his head. "Yes." ******************** "I told you he was awake," Loren said as Rion walked into the room with Pan behind him. He set Clarinet on the floor and Taro ran up to him. "Guess what?" he asked and Clarinet looked at him. "What?" "I was a real monkey. I ran around, and around, and around the house with no clothes on just like you. Well...you weren't in the house, though and you were much bigger...but I was a monkey!" "He sounds just like my uncle," Pan commented and Trunks nodded his head. "Yes he does. He goes chasing after dinosaurs and things like that, doesn't he?" Trunks asked. "Yes, he does." "He looks a little like Goten too. At least with his hair up the way it is now." "I keep brushing it down but it refuses to stay. He's got hair like Grandpa, Daddy says. He certainly can eat as much as Grandpa. Speaking of food, it looks like you're hungry. You need something to eat after being a monkey, don't you?" "Yeah. I wanna eat lots of monkey food!" Taro said as Pan tucked in his faux tail into his pants. "But you're not a monkey any more," she said and Taro looked at her. "A little monkey food, then? I have a tail." "All right but what do monkeys eat?" "Cake!" "All right. I guess you can have some now. What about you two? Are you hungry?" "I am," Trunks said and Pan smiled. "I thought you were. You all get that same look in your eyes when you're hungry," she said as she carried Taro into the kitchen. "What look is she talking about?" Rion asked as Clarinet ran into the kitchen for some water. "The look of hunger. You don't get it," Trunks replied. "Couldn't I get it? Mom can eat." "She eats very little." "But she can eat." "True. I don't know. Maybe you will be able to one day. I don't know anything about your kind." "But you do know about one kind, don't you?" "What are you talking about?" "The tail. You do know why that happened, don't you?" "No I don't. Father would be the person to ask except I'm a little apprehensive about asking him. You know how he gets when Clarinet is mentioned." "Yes I know but he's so terrified about it. I told him that I'd find out why that change happened." "Well, I guess after people eat, we should go to Father's and get an explanation. He's the only one that would really know why that happens." "Why didn't you have one?" Loren asked and Trunks looked at her. "I told you, I don't know why I didn't have one. But, after seeing what it did to Clarinet, do you really want me to have had one?" "No...I guess not. I just wanted to know why you didn't have one, that's all." **************** "Mommy's here," Toko said and Bulma looked at her. "Are you sure?" "Yes. Everyone's here." "Everyone? Why?" "I dunno. Can I get the door when they knock on it?" "All right, dear. Let's get your grandfather down here, okay?" "Okay. Can I do that too?" "Go right ahead. He's not going to yell at you if you get him up." "He's asleep?" "Don't say that to anyone. Your grandfather likes people to think he's strong. If others knew that he occasionally took naps he would be upset." "Why?" "Because he feels that it would seem to others that he's not very strong." "But he is." "Well, you and I know that but Vegeta has always tried to be the best. He thinks that if others knew that he got tired, then he wouldn't be the best any more." "But everyone gets tired. Why shouldn't he?" "It hurts his pride to realize that he's just like the rest of us, honey." "Doesn't he like being like us?" "He does but he doesn't. Now, go on upstairs and wake him up." "Okay." Toko ran upstairs and into her grandparents room. She gazed at the bed where Vegeta lay sleeping and climbed up onto it. She crawled across the mattress and up onto Vegeta. She shook him slightly but got no response. She sat there and frowned, her tiny mind busy with the problem of how to wake him up. Her foot touched the remote control to the television and the screen flickered on. Loud roaring came from the jet engines of the plane that soared across the television screen and Vegeta's eyes snapped open in shock. He stared up at Toko, who gazed innocently down at him and tried his best to glare. "What do you want?" he asked as he switched off the television. "Grandma told me to wake you up," she said as she continued to gaze at him. "Why?" "Daddy's coming." "What does that have to do with me?" "Well...Daddy's coming and Mommy and Pan and Rion and Taro and...Toshi, no Toshi's already here. He's sleeping right next to you. Um...oh yeah and Clarinet. I don't know why I forgot him. He's really nice..." "All right. I'll get up. Get off of me child." "Okay. Don't wake Toshi because he just fell asleep and he's been running around all day with Taro so he's really tired." "Why should the dog get the luxury of sleep when I don't?" ******************* Bulma opened the door and smiled warmly out at everyone. "What brings you all here?" she asked as Taro ran up to her. "Grandma! Grandma! I was a monkey today! I was a monkey today! Mommy made me a tail this morning and she put it in my pants just like Clarinet's. Then I was a real monkey and I ran around and around and..." he paused for breath. "Around the house. Then I got changed back to normal 'cause they didn't want Mommy to get mad." "Go on inside you two. See if you can locate my sister," Rion said. Bulma visibly cringed when Taro ran past her with his faux tail and Clarinet with his real one. She glanced at Trunks with a pale face and Trunks stepped forward in concern. "Are you all right, Mom?" he asked. "Was...was that a tail?" she stammered and Rion nodded his head. "That's why we're here. He just got one a few days ago," Rion said. "It's been at least a week," Pan said as Bulma leaned against the door frame for support. "Why don't we get you to a chair, Mom? Loren, why don't you get her some water?" Trunks asked as he took his mother's hand. "What's wrong with her?" Rion asked. "I don't know. It's got something to do with the tail." "Wasn't last night....a full moon?" Bulma asked shakily as Trunks led her into the kitchen. She sat down and gratefully took the glass of water that Loren had given her. "Yeah. Last night was a full moon," Trunks said. "Nothing was hurt?" "Well...." "What happened?" "Rion got beat up a little bit, that's all." "A LITTLE?!" Pan exclaimed and Rion looked at her. "What does it matter? I'm fine now," he said. "I thought all that was over," Bulma sighed. "All what, Mom?" Trunks inquired. "Have your father tell you. I never thought I'd see another one. Not after yours was cut off." "Mine?" "You were born with one, just like Gohan. I've gone through what happens with tails and a full moon and I didn't want to go through it with you so I got it cut off. Believe me, you're a lot nicer without a tail. Especially during a full moon." "Did Goten have one then?" "After Chi-chi was aware of what happened with Gohan, she cut Goten's off as well. We couldn't handle you boys turning into monsters whenever the full moon came up. We could barely handle the two of you during the day." "So what was the purpose of the tails then?" "You need to speak with your father to get the answer to that question." **************** "Grandpa! Toko! Guess what!!" Taro cried as he ran up to Vegeta who was carrying Toko. Toshi ran barking down the stairs and Toko squirmed out of Vegeta's arms and ran over to where Clarinet stood, hoping that Vegeta wouldn't notice him. Toshi ran yipping after Toko and Vegeta glanced at Taro who stood pulling on his pants leg. "What is it boy?" Vegeta asked and Taro took a deep breath. "Clarinet was a monkey! Honest! He was a great big one and knocked Daddy down...but he didn't mean to, of course. And he smashed through trees and roared and...and I wanna be a monkey too! A big strong monkey and I wanna...I wanna run fast and smash buildings and jump on top of things and eat monkey food and not wear clothes..." "All right, dear. That's enough. Oh, look. Your tail's coming out. Why don't we go into the kitchen and fix it? You must be thirsty from all that talking," Pan said as she took Taro's hand. "Do I get a monkey drink?" he asked and Pan smiled. "All right, but what do monkeys drink?" "Chocolate milk!" "Let's go see if your grandmother has some." "Okay!" "What the hell was that all about?" Vegeta asked as Trunks walked out of the kitchen with Loren and Bulma behind him. "You have some explaining to do, Vegeta," Bulma said and Vegeta looked at her. "What are you talking about, woman?" Vegeta asked and Trunks walked over to where Clarinet stood. "Where's Rion?" Trunks asked as he took Clarinet's hand. "Right here, Dad. Now, Grandpa, don't get mad," Rion said and Vegeta looked at him. "Why not?" Vegeta asked. "Well, Clarinet has a tail. How do we get rid of it?" "So that's what that boy meant. I had no idea what that little child was saying. A tail. How interesting..." "Vegeta!" Bulma hissed. "You can't get rid of it." "What?" "You heard what I said, woman." "But Goku and Gohan...both of their tails were cut off..." "It can be cut off but it will grow back at one point in time. We were a race that used that power to our advantage. We were able to claim numerous worlds for our own. We would have dominated the universe if unseen things had not happened. There is no way to completely destroy that heritage just like there is no way for you to destroy what you get from your mother, boy even though I wish that she had chosen some other family to annoy..." "Father!" Trunks said and Vegeta looked at him. "You get so protective of her boy. It's pathetic," he said and Bulma glared at him. "It is NOT pathetic. Now you said that the tail could grow back at any time. Does that mean that you all will one day...?" "What do you think woman? Have you lost your intelligence over the years? The tail will come back. No one knows for certain what makes it grow back and why and the ones that were likely to know are dead thanks to Frieza." "But then...the full moon..." "The ability changes when one grows stronger. Kakarrot will no longer change into a giant ape, even though he still is not at my status." "So Dad, do you mean that when you become stronger, the tail, whenever it comes back, will have evolved with your strength?" Trunks asked and Vegeta looked at him. "From what I remember, yes," he replied. "Then what can I do with Clarinet?" Rion asked. "Cut it off. I seriously doubt you want to go through having a Namekian monkey in your house." "We've already been through that." "But if it grows back, what's the point of cutting it off?" Loren asked. "It may be years before the tail grows back, honey. By then Clarinet will have become strong enough that his tail will have evolved with him," Trunks said and Loren looked at him. "Huh?" "Listen woman. It's a simple concept, even for your mind. Whenever the tail comes back, he will no longer resemble whatever you saw the night of a full moon. He will be more...human in appearance but will have a light coat of fur over his body. He'll look like a Namek wearing a fine fur coat. Does that make sense?" Vegeta asked. "That makes sense. Why couldn't you have said it like that?" Loren asked Trunks. "Because I didn't know all that," Trunks replied. **************************************** "Look at me! I'm a monkey too! Toshi come back with my tail!" Taro cried as the dog pulled the strip of fabric out of his pants and ran off with it. "Lively, aren't they?" Trunks asked as he watched them. "They're like you and Goten. You two were pretty lively too," Bulma said. "You want to go play with them? Nothing's keeping you here," Rion said to Clarinet. "I didn't know if you were done with me," he said and Rion nodded his head. "Yes. I'm done with you. Go on and have some fun." "Thank you." He ran off and Rion stared at the tail that he held in his hand. He had managed to get it cut off without his son noticing. He waved his other hand over it and the tail disappeared. "There goes that nightmare," Bulma sighed. "Not permanently, though," Trunks reminded his mother and Bulma weakly nodded her head. "I know." "Then does all this mean that you will have a tail again?" Loren asked Trunks. "Why do you want me with a tail?" Trunks asked. "I just want to see how you look with one, that's all." "He looked cute dear but the tail is more trouble than it's worth. You should be content that he doesn't have it now," Bulma said. "I'm not complaining about the way he is. I was just..." "Wondering?" Trunks asked. "Yes. Wondering. That's all." "Don't worry about it woman. I'm sure he'll get it back in your lifetime or whatever you call it," Vegeta said as Trunks took her hand. "I don't like that thought. Waking up in the middle of the night with a full moon..." Bulma said and shivered. Why were the tails a never ending problem? ********************** "Today certainly was interesting," Trunks said as he turned down the lights. "I didn't know that Taro had so much energy," Loren said as she sat down. "He's definitely related to Goten. I'm glad Toko is with Rion. I feel bad for Rion. He never had anyone around his age to play with until Fife and everyone was so intent on training him. He didn't get to play like Toko gets to. People are a lot more lenient with her." "Is that because she's a girl?" "Yeah but enough about that. I feel..." "Do you feel like playing?" "You can only say that when we're alone together. Do you want to get me undressed?" "I'd like to do that." "Go ahead then. Just be careful, all right?" "All right." "Wait a second." "What?" He kissed her mouth and she laid her hands on his chest. He drew his mouth away, some saliva running down his chin. She began to unbutton his shirt and he watched her move down to his waist. She unclasped his belt and he let it fall to the floor. She tried to pull down his pants but found that they wouldn't go down fully. She tried to force them down and Trunks face twisted up in pain. She gazed up at him and timidly stepped away. "I'm sorry. I must be doing something wrong, aren't I?" she asked. "They were stuck. I'm sorry." "They shouldn't be stuck. There's nothing there unless..." Trunks said and his voice drifted off. Loren tilted her head questioningly. "Unless?" "Loren, look behind me and tell me what you see." She looked behind him and raised a hand to what had just broken through the fabric of his pants. It was a brown tail, just like what Clarinet had just gotten rid of. She stroked it in wonder, not sure what had caused it to grow back. Trunks flushed and he laid a hand on her shoulder. "It's a tail, isn't it?" he asked and Loren looked up at him. "Uh-huh. How do I take your pants off now?" she asked and Trunks sighed. "Honey, that's not the problem." "It is too. I can't take them off like you wanted me to." "No. The tail means more than not being able to get my pants off. Remember Clarinet?" "Uh-huh but you're much stronger than Clarinet so you won't look like that." "I'm worried about what I will look like." "How do I get the pants off?" "Would you just wait on that?" "No." "All right. I'm the one that started you up on this. I'd better figure out a way to finish it off." ************************ Loren awoke with a start. She glanced beside her. Trunks hand lay limply on her chest and his tail was subconsciously stroking her leg. She sighed as she moved her leg away and Trunks sleepily opened an eye. "What is it?" he asked and she sighed. "Your tail. It woke me up," she said and he blinked his eyes. "Huh?" "Your tail." "Oh. I forgot I had one. Sorry." "Can't you keep it from moving?" "It's my fault. I was dreaming." "About what?" "You." "Me?" "Yes." "What about me?" "I was just dreaming about touching you. I know why it seemed so real now. It was reality." He kissed her and sat up. He leaned over her and gazed down at her. She watched his tail sway back and forth for a moment then smiled. "You look nice with a tail. Especially this way. How does it look with your wings?" she asked and Trunks shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno. Do you want to see? It won't take much for me to get to that level," Trunks said and she nodded her head. "Yes. I'd like to see." He closed his eyes and transformed. He felt her hands on his wings and her knees pressing into his middle. He winced slightly as he opened his eyes and gazed at her. "How is this?" he asked and she smiled. "I like that," she said and Trunks winced again. "Honey, could you move your knees away from there?" "Huh? Oh, I'm sorry." "Do you want to?" "Want to what?" "What we did earlier." "I'm tired. I was sleeping so well then you woke me up." "I didn't mean to." "Can't you keep it from moving?" "No. I'm really sorry I woke you." "It's okay. Don't get upset, please." "Loren, I'm not upset. Tell you what? I'll get back to normal then you can sleep on me. Would you like that?" "Yes I would." "I'll sleep on it so that you won't get woken up again, okay?" "Okay." ******************************************* "That tail doesn't fit there," Loren said and Trunks grinned. "Just experimenting honey," Trunks said as he drew his tail away. "And it does fit there but I like how other things fit better." "Someone's coming." "Hey, you're right. It's Mom. Guess I'd better get dressed. You should too. Oh, yeah. I guess I need your help, don't I? I've got this tail now." "I like helping you with your pants." "I can do the front. I need help in the back." "The back isn't what I like." "I know but you're doing the back." "Aw..." "Loren..." "Oh all right." She materialized her clothing as she pulled Trunks tail through the slit in his pants that he had made for it that morning. He pulled them up in the front then picked up his shirt. "Go on downstairs and let her in. Don't say a word about this, all right?" "A word about what?" He wagged his tail and Loren's eyes grew wide in coherence. She turned and walked out the bedroom door and down the stairs. She opened the front door and allowed Bulma to enter the house. "Hello, dear. Where's Trunks?" Bulma asked as she embraced Loren. "Upstairs. He's getting dressed," Loren replied. "At this hour? He usually gets up early, doesn't he?" "It was a rough night." "I'm sorry." "I just couldn't sleep." "You're not sick are you, dear?" "No." "Hey Mom. How are you?" Trunks asked as he walked into the room. "I'm fine. I heard that you had a rough night last night. Is everything all right?" Bulma asked and Trunks sighed. "Well...yes. No. No, we've got a bit of a problem. Something sorta grew last night." "No. NO. You don't mean..." "Yeah. It came last night. We weren't expecting it, needless to say..." "Can you cut it off?" "Loren likes how it looks." "Honey, do you have to do everything that pleases her? You don't know what that tail involves." "But it won't be the same since he's stronger. He's not going to look like Clarinet," Loren said. "She's got a point, Mom. Loren would you stop that? You're just as bad in the back now as you're in the front," Trunks said as he moved away from her. "I'm sorry Trunks. It's new and..." "You like to explore. I understand, honey, but can't you get rid of it dear?" Bulma asked. "Well to tell you the truth Mom, I'm kind of curious about this change that Father was talking about." "Your Father has influenced you entirely too much." "That's not my fault." "I know, dear. I know. Loren, dear, please watch out for him on full moons, all right?" "I'll watch out. I don't want anything to happen to him either," Loren said. "It's nice that I have two beautiful women looking out for me," Trunks said and Bulma smiled. "You know how to give out compliments, don't you Trunks?" she asked. "I try." ******************************** Pan opened the door and allowed Loren and Trunks to come in. She did a double-take behind Trunks and stood with her mouth wide open. Trunks wrapped his tail around part of Loren's waist and she looked at him. He grinned and dropped his tail and Pan continued to stare at him in shock. "Mommy! Mom--" Taro cried as he ran into the room, then stopped in awe as he saw Trunks tail. He turned and ran out of the room and his tiny feet could be heard pounding up the stairs. A couple of minutes later, he was pounding down the stairs and he slid into the room with his faux monkey tail shoved in his pants. "Looks like someone wants to be like you," Loren said as Taro pulled on Trunks' pants leg. "Look at me! I'm a monkey too! Do you turn into a great big one that can smash stuff like Clarinet did?" "I don't know," Trunks said and Taro looked at him. "Why don't you know?" he asked. "There has to be a full moon. And there won't be another one for quite some time now." "Hey Dad. I felt Mom's presence. Where's Toko and Clarinet?" Rion asked as he walked into the room. "Out back. Daddy guess what? He's got a tail! I've got one just like him, see?" Taro asked and bent over to show Rion his tail. "Father doesn't have a tail." "He does too. Look!" "He's right," Pan finally managed to say as Loren put her hand on Trunks tail and petted it. Trunks flushed slightly and Rion circled around him in disbelief. "Hey, you DO have one. When did this happen?" Rion asked. "Last night. Loren stop it," Trunks said as he pulled his tail away from her. "But it's soft," she said. "You can play with my tail. I won't complain," Taro said as he walked up to her. Trunks stifled a laugh as Loren knelt on the floor and ran her hands over Taro's made-up tail. He tried to mimic the look on Trunks' face as she ran her hand over his little tail and Rion began to laugh. "He looks just like you, Dad," he said and Trunks blushed. "There's Taro..." Clarinet said as he ran into the room then stopped when he saw Trunks. He ran over to Rion and hid behind him. Rion glanced at him and pulled on his hand. "What is it?" "Did...did I do that to him?" "Father? No, of course not. He had one when he was born. That was a long time before you were around. You had nothing to do with his tail, okay?" "Boy I feel so young now," Trunks said and Rion blushed. "I didn't mean it like that, Dad. I'm sorry. I just meant..." "Please, don't get like your mother. She's already here." "What?" Loren asked as she looked up. "What did I do?" "Nothing, Loren. It's all right," Trunks said as Taro pulled his tail out of her hands. "Okay. You're done. Go touch him again. He looks funny when you do it to him," Taro said and Pan tried not to laugh. "Um...so Dad, does Grandpa know?" Rion asked. "We're going there next. We wanted to pick her up if she was ready to come home," Trunks said and Toko sighed. "Do I have to? I wanna stay here and play. Toshi does too," she said and Trunks smiled. "All right. We'll be back later, then okay?" "Okay." "Come on, Loren. Let's go tell Father. I know he'll be a lot more accepting of the news than Mother was." ************************************* Vegeta looked at Trunks in annoyance as he walked into the training room with Loren behind him. He looked at Trunks' right leg where the tip of a tail seemed to be resting and shut down the simulation that had been interrupted. He walked up to Trunks and inspected him, then folded his arms in satisfaction. "So it came back. When did you get it?" he asked. "Last night," Trunks replied. "It made it hard to sleep," Loren said and Vegeta ignored her. "Does it work?" he asked and Trunks shrugged his shoulders. "It moves, if that's what you mean. If you're talking about the other thing, I don't know. There won't be another full moon for a couple of weeks," Trunks said. "Woman, take us somewhere where there's a full moon." "Huh?" Loren asked and Vegeta looked at her. "Don't those ears do more than just frame your face? Take us somewhere where there's a full moon." "Okay. Now where would be the best place for a moon...? I know. Mead. It's not far from here and they have lots of moons so one of them is sure to be full." "Take us there." "Should we tell Mother that we're leaving?" Trunks asked and Vegeta looked at him. "And have that woman make a big deal out of it? I think not. Let's go, girl." Loren concentrated and soon, they stood on the ruby cliffs of Mead, overlooking inky black water far below. Vegeta gazed at the sky for a moment, then tapped his son's shoulder. "Right there. Look," he said and Trunks nodded his head. "You might want to move away from me, Loren. I don't know what I'll do," he said as he pushed Loren away from him. She stepped back slightly and he took a deep breath then raised his head to the sky. A large, round moon was just rising from below the horizon. Trunks stared at it, feeling his the pull of the moon on his body. Vegeta watched as his hair grew longer and stiffer, completely losing the softness that Loren liked so much. Fine lavender fur grew out along his wrists and his chest as his muscles clearly enlarged. His clothing ripped underneath the strain as Loren watched his hair come to resemble that of Goku's or Vegeta's. Trunks turned around and Vegeta nodded his head at the transformation. Loren stared at him, trying to decide whether or not she liked him in his current state. Vegeta stood for a moment, then stepped up to where Trunks stood. "You can go one more, boy. Try!" he commanded and Trunks nodded his head. Trunks began to concentrate once more and his eyes switched to blue. His hair became painted gold and twice as long as before. He gazed at Loren and smiled. "I think I can match you now," he said and Vegeta folded his arms once more. "Try it. I'd like to see what you can do now," he said and Trunks looked at Loren. "Do you want to?" "Okay," Loren said and barely dodged an energy blast that Trunks released. She certainly was not expecting him to come at her in full force. She phased in and out so fast that Vegeta could hardly keep up with her. She was preparing herself for an extremely dangerous attack and Vegeta knew that it would be in his son's best interest to avoid it if he could. Trunks watched the flicker of light that happened every time she phased in or out, then calculated her trajectory. He once again, released and energy blast that, surprisingly, hit Loren's body. She cried in pain as her back hit the jagged rocks of the cliff. Vegeta watched as Trunks reverted back to normal and ran to her. He took her hand as she painfully stood up. He gazed apologetically at her and she smiled. "It's all right," she said. "I didn't think I'd hit you. Are you going to be okay? You're the one that has to get us back home," he said as he inspected the damage that he had done. "I'm fine. I guess...I guess I'm going to have to access my more serious powers now." "You mean all those training sessions weren't serious?" "Not really." "Take us back, girl before his mother starts to worry. She tends to worry about the most idiotic things." "Okay. I'll be okay, Trunks. Really." "Just making sure, honey. I didn't mean to hurt you. I really didn't think I'd hit you." "You did. You're a lot stronger that way, I can feel it. I'll be fine, all right?" He kissed her and Vegeta waited impatiently. Why did such things have to take so long? Trunks slowly drew away from her and licked his lips. "Father's right, though. We need to get back before Mom starts to worry otherwise we're in for it." ******************************* "I want to see you in this training room again," Vegeta said and Trunks nodded his head. "I know, Father. Toko will like this arrangement. She'll be able to be at Rion's more." "That child is definitely related to Kakarrot." "He's fun to watch," Loren said. "He's also pretty embarrassing," Trunks said. "He's right though. You do make interesting faces when I touch that." "All men react that way," Vegeta said and Loren looked at him. "Even you?" she asked and Trunks placed his hand on her mouth a few seconds too late. "Don't EVEN drag me into this." "You didn't like that time?" "What are you talking about, honey?" Trunks asked. "Don't you DARE say anything woman!" Vegeta said and Trunks looked confused. "Are you talking about the bath?" "No but thanks so much for bringing that up." "I'm sorry. Would you stop that Loren?" Trunks asked. "It's soft," Loren said. "I much rather see her hands there than elsewhere," Vegeta said and Trunks flushed. "THERE you two are. I was wondering why you didn't run into the room when I set the food on the table," Bulma said and pretended not to see Trunks' tail. "Sorry Mom. Oh, I'll be around a lot more. Father wants to see me in the training room again," Trunks said and Bulma folded her arms. "Why?" "Because I want him to, woman. Just accept it and don't ask questions," Vegeta said as he walked past Bulma. "Let go of me, Loren. If I don't go now, there won't be any left," Trunks said as he successfully pulled away from Loren. He brushed past his mother, who cringed at the sight of his tail, and ran after his father. "When is he going to get it cut off?" Bulma asked. "I don't know. I don't think he's going to get it cut off. He's a lot stronger this way," Loren said and Bulma looked at him. "No. No! Why does he have to be so much like his father? I swear, I thought a family would make them both settle down." "They both have a strong fighting spirit. It can be repressed but it can never be broken." "You're right, dear. You're right. I don't like the reality, but that's the way it is." *********************** "So what has Trunks been up to?" Gohan asked as Taro climbed over him. "He's got a tail," Taro said and Gohan looked at him. "Huh?" "He does. He's got a tail just like this one 'cept it's real." "He's not making it up, Daddy. We all saw it," Pan said. "I didn't know he had one." "He had it when he was born, Grandma said. She immediately got it cut off because she knew the problems that come with tails," Rion said as Clarinet climbed up onto his lap. "When are you gonna start training them? Dad's more than willing to teach them." "That would certainly burn off some of Taro's energy. I don't know if this one is ready, though," Rion said as he took Clarinet's hand. "Piccolo's willing to train him," Gohan said and Clarinet gazed up at Rion. "If I learn, will your grandpa be nice to me?" Clarinet asked and Rion ran his hands over Clarinet's antennae. "I'd think so. He gives respect to people that work hard," Rion said. "Then I want to work hard. I want him to realize that I belong to you just as much as Taro does." "I realize that." "I want him to realize it." Taro took Clarinet's hand away from Rion and hugged him. Pan smiled and Gohan stifled a laugh as Rion's face contorted up in pain when a foot unknowingly touched an extremely sensitive spot. "Be careful, you two," Pan said and Taro looked at her. "What do you mean?" he asked as Rion pushed Taro's foot away from his middle. "Are you okay?" Clarinet asked as he moved off of his father's lap. "I'll be fine. Hey, where's Toko and Toshi?" Rion asked and Pan stood up in shock. "She must still be outside. I thought she came in with you two. Oh, I hope she's all right," she said as Clarinet ran out of the room. "He's going to check on her. He reminds me of myself. Taro's definitely like Goten. There he goes," Gohan said as Taro ran after Clarinet. "Are you going to be okay?" Pan asked as she sat next to Rion. "Yeah," Rion said as she leaned against him. "Kids sure get you where it hurts, don't they?" Gohan asked as Taro ran back into the room, tripping over his feet. "Daddy! Daddy! OW! Toshi's hurt!" he cried as he tripped again and nearly hit the table but Rion scooped him up. "Are you okay?" Rion asked and Taro nodded his head. "Thank you. Now take care of Toshi." "Where's Toko?" "I dunno." "Dad is gonna kill me." "I'll help you look. Pan can stay and take care of the kids," Gohan said as he stood up. "Sure, leave me with the hard job," Pan said as she followed the men outside. ********************* "Something's wrong," Loren said as she landed on the ground with Trunks beside her. "What is it?" he asked. "Toko..." "What about her?" "I'm not sure." Trunks let go of her hand and ran up to Rion's house. Loren watched him run, sensing that his normal speed was markedly faster. She watched his tail stream out from behind and smiled. She was glad he had the tail but she didn't know why. She liked how he looked, completely undressed with his tail wrapped around his leg. She wasn't sure what to make of his new metamorphosis, though as an urgent voice brought her out of her thoughts. "Mother!!" Rion cried and Loren glanced up. Rion landed with Toko in his arms, her blue hair stained with blood. He gazed at Loren with tears in his eyes and Loren laid a hand on his face and her other hand on Toko. "What happened?" she asked. "I think she was attacked by a wild animal," Gohan said. "How?" "We thought she was inside. I'm SO sorry, Mother," Rion said haltingly and Loren began to run her fingers through his hair. "It's all right. Let's get her inside and I'll take care of her." "Is Father here?" "Yes. He won't fault you for this, okay?" "Okay." "So, does he have a tail?" Gohan asked. "Yes. It's a nice soft tail," Loren said as she began walking towards the house with the men behind her. "He hasn't turned into a monkey, has he?" "Not exactly." "What do you mean?" "You'd have to see him to understand it." Trunks appeared in the doorway and flushed when Taro rubbed his cheek over his tail. Clarinet pushed past him and ran up to Loren. Loren picked him up and ran her hands over his smooth skin. She thought of Piccolo and wondered when she could see him again. "Leave him alone, Loren," Trunks said when she had reached the porch. "Father...I'm sorry," Rion said as Loren set Clarinet on the ground. Gohan glanced at her and flushed. He had forgotten just how enticing she was. "What happened? Hey, Gohan," Trunks said when he noticed Gohan. "Hey. I think she was attacked by a wild animal," Gohan said as Rion tried to keep himself from crying. "I'm SO sorry!" Rion said as Loren took Toko from his arms. She walked past Trunks and Clarinet and Taro followed her, grave concern shining in their young eyes. Pan gazed sadly at Rion, his pain hurting her extremely. He was going into one of his mother's mind- sets yet again and it always hurt her to see that. "Rion, it's not your fault. I'm sure it was an accident. It's going to be all right. Please, don't get like Loren does. Not now. Take a deep breath and calm down. She'll be okay," Trunks said as he embraced his son. "But all of this could have been avoided if one of us had just kept better track of them." "It was a mistake. Everyone makes them. Don't fault yourself for what happened." "He's right, honey. You're not to blame," Pan said and Rion glanced at her. "But..." he protested. "It was a mistake on all our parts. Not just you. Don't blame yourself for everything that's happened. You don't know how much it hurts to see you like this." Trunks drew away from Rion and allowed Pan to take over. He walked into the house and over to the couch where Loren sat and two concerned children sat on the floor, watching her. "I'll do my best but I don't know if I'll be able to completely erase the damage," Loren said softly as Trunks laid a hand on her shoulder. "Try as hard as you can. Please," he said and she glanced up at him. "I will, you know that." ******************************** "Get the door, will you?" Pan asked as she held Rion close. She ran her fingers through Rion's hair as she tried to keep him calm. Loren glanced at him and sighed. Rion met her gaze and tried to keep the tears in his eyes from falling to the ground. "Rion, please don't do this. You've got Loren's attention divided," Trunks said and Rion glanced up at him. "Look at her, though. How can I not feel guilty about this? I was the one that killed her in the first place..." Rion said and Trunks stood up. "Rion, don't go back to that time, please. That holds too many painful memories for all of us. None of that happened because of you. Besides, you saved them both, didn't you?" he asked and Rion nodded his head. "Yes. Yes I did." "See, honey? You've done nothing wrong. It was an accident. You've got two little boys who are concerned about you and Toko just like the rest of us, are. And you know Taro's not going to let you stay upset like this. I don't think Clarinet likes you this way, either," Pan said as Taro scrambled up into Rion's lap with Clarinet right behind him. Taro pulled his tail out of his pants and wiped the tears from Rion's face. "Don't cry any more Daddy. It's not your fault that Toko's like this. It's that big monster's fault. I'll use my tail and turn into a great big monkey with Grandpa and we'll go out and beat it up!" he declared and Rion slowly smiled. "I told you that Taro wouldn't let you feel depressed," Pan said as Taro pulled on Rion's shirt. "And...and Clarinet would help and we'd blast that big monster just like you and your friends would and he'd cry and cry and cry and he'd apologize for being so mean and hurting Toko." "Right. We'd make him sorry for hurting her," Clarinet said as Gohan returned with Piccolo behind him. "I came to see how Clarinet was doing and it seems that I've walked in on something..." Piccolo said as he stared at the scene that greeted him. "Toko got attacked by something," Trunks said and Piccolo stared at him. "You have a tail." "I know." "I have a tail too! See?" Taro asked as he bent over to show off his faux tail. "Yes, you do, honey. Let's get you a monkey snack, shall we?" Pan asked as she stood up. "Yay! I get a snack!" "No cake this time." "Aw..." "So what are you doing here, Piccolo?" Gohan asked. "Well, I was wanting to know if and when you were going to start training Clarinet. Right now, however, I'm interested in why Trunks has a tail. I'd like an explanation if you're willing to tell me." ************************************ "You want an explanation. I figured out here would be best. You know how Taro gets," Trunks said as he sat down in a chair outside. Piccolo leaned against a tree and gazed at Trunks. "How did you find out you had it?" Piccolo asked and Trunks flushed. "Well, she was getting me undressed because I..." "I know what you wanted to do. Just tell me what happened." "Right. I'm sorry. Anyway, she couldn't get my pants down. She started trying to force them down and it really hurt. I told her to look back there and she saw the tail. It gets annoying sometimes." "I think I know what times you're talking about." Trunks flushed again and Piccolo shook his head. He wondered what things would be like if everything was different. He knew that Loren still desired him at times but then...Trunks got in the way. He knew that Trunks had a divine right to her but he still didn't like how Trunks tried to prevent interaction between the two. "I'm a lot stronger, this way, though. Father had me challenge her and I actually struck her." "I thought no one could hit her." "That's what I thought, but I landed a blow on her. I was so shocked when I did that. Father wants me to use the training room to work on my skills." "You're above that training room." "Where else can I go? The time chamber is gone." "The Supreme Kai should have something. That's where Rion got his new weapon when he was being used by Demar." Trunks cringed at the name, both feeling an extreme dislike for the guardian of death. Piccolo's gaze hardened as he turned away from Trunks. He thought about everything Demar had done to Loren and it made him furious. "Yeah...that room will probably be the best. I have to wait until Loren can go. I can't go without her." "True. How has she been doing? I haven't seen her that much." "You've seen her more than Goku or my sister. There's just so much going on. I can't keep track." "Tell me about it. Goten and Marron have become pretty serious," Gohan said and Trunks looked up. "That makes sense. She was the only one that was closest to his age." "Yeah. I'm surprised he didn't ask sooner but you know Goten." "Yeah I do. He's definitely a lot like Goku." "Yeah and here comes his little copy. Looks like the dog is fine." "Grandpa! Grandpa! Hey! Come back with my tail, Taro! Bad dog!" Taro cried as he ran after the dog. "Which one of us do you think he was talking to?" Gohan asked and Trunks shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know," he replied. "That child needs an outlet for his energy," Piccolo said and Gohan nodded his head. "I know. Dad and I want to start training him if Pan will let us," he said and Trunks stood up, a puzzled expression on his face. "There's something out there," he said and Piccolo stood erect. "Where's the child?" he asked. "Taro. Which way did he go?" "That way. Come on!" Gohan cried as he sped off. Trunks soon overtook him and passed him. Gohan slowed down, shocked that Trunks was faster than he was for his legs were a little longer than Trunks'. "How can he keep that much power suppressed?" Piccolo asked and Gohan looked at him. "Easy. He's not Vegeta," Gohan replied. *************************************** "Mother...?" Rion asked as Loren stood up. "She'll be fine soon. She just needs to sleep now. Don't fault yourself any more, all right?" Loren asked as she materialized a small piece of fruit in her hand. She took a bite out of it and glanced at Clarinet, who had taken Loren's spot and gazed worriedly up at Toko's face. "Listen to her, dear. She knows you best," Pan said as Loren looked around for Trunks. "He's outside. He was talking to Piccolo," Rion said. "Piccolo?" Loren asked and Rion nodded his head. "Just don't treat him like I would treat Fife, okay Mom?" "All right." "Taro should be outside too," Pan said as Loren walked out of the room. "I need a drink," Rion said and Pan stood up. "I'll get you one. Clarinet, do you need some water?" "Better get him some. He hasn't had any for awhile." ___________________________________________________________________ "You hurt Toko, you mean monster!" Taro cried when Gohan and the others found him. The creature was an enormous dinosaur and Toshi hid behind Taro in fear. "Now he's like Vegeta," Piccolo said and Gohan looked at Trunks. "Shall we take care of him together?" Gohan asked. "Might as well," Trunks said as he pulled Taro and Toshi out of danger. He handed them to Piccolo and Piccolo carried them back to the house. He saw Loren standing in the yard, searching for Trunks and set the two on the ground. "Go on inside you two. Rion must be worried about you," Piccolo said and turned to Loren as the two ran off. "Where did you all go? They said you were outside," Loren said as she walked up to him. "Taro ran off. I just brought him back. How have you been?" "Okay. I've missed you." "I've missed you as well. We were so close before all the small children came. Before that damned guardian of death came and destroyed everything." "I miss that time. Those times I guess. Not the fights and the bad things but..." "I know what you mean." "I miss feeling you like I did." "You don't have to miss it. You can feel it now. Trunks and Gohan are busy." "But I'm not supposed to." "I won't say anything." "It wouldn't be wrong if he doesn't know, would it?" "Of course not." "Okay then. As long as it's okay." "It is." ****************************** "I'm glad Loren's not here. She'd be upset at what we did," Trunks said as he gazed upon the carcass of the dinosaur that had attacked Taro. "There was no other choice. Hey, just what can you do now? I've been so busy with my family and everything that I haven't been around much. Loren said you're stronger, though," Gohan said and Trunks nodded his head. "She's right. Father had her take us somewhere with a full moon. I actually hit her. I've never done that before. I've come close but I've never actually struck her. I was scared, when I hit her." "I understand that feeling." "I mean, our training sessions are so intense that I didn't want to hurt her. Then she tells me that she hasn't been very serious in her training with me. I told her not to hold back but she has been." "That scares me." "You don't have to train with her." "I feel for you, man. I really do." "I just have to deal with it. Come on, we'd better get back. I'm sure Piccolo's doing something with her." "You still haven't dealt with that?" "I've tried. I've told her how I feel. The Supreme Kai's even spoken to her." "I guess Piccolo's the problem then." "Yeah. I have no authority over him. At least they haven't been as intense as they were." "That's good." "Anyway, let's go. There's children about and you know how Loren gets." "Yes I do." **************** Toko yawned and opened her eyes, only to jump slightly in surprise to find Clarinet's lavender eyes gazing back at her. She glanced around for her parents, only to find Rion asleep in Pan's arms. She blinked her eyes as Clarinet offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her up. She sat beside him and gazed in confusion around the room. Something had happened, but what? "I'm glad you're okay," Clarinet said and hugged her. "What happened? Where is everyone?" she asked and the young Namek looked thoughtful. Taro ran into the room with Toshi barking excitedly. Rion yawned and sat up. He looked at Pan, who warmly smiled, and then at his sister. "When did she wake up?" he asked. "Just now. Those two are having fun, aren't they?" she asked as Toshi pulled Taro's tail out of his pants again. "Hey! Give that back! Why can't I have a tail? You've got one! It's not fair!" Taro cried and chased Toshi around the room. Toshi crawled under a chair and sat there, watching Taro with its dark brown eyes. Taro got on his hands and knees and peered under the chair. The dog was there but the dog was not about to give up its new toy. Taro sat on the floor and looked thoughtful. "This will take him awhile," Pan commented as she watched Taro concentrate on his problem. "Yeah. Have they come back yet?" Rion asked and Pan shook her head. "No. They're probably talking. My dad and your dad haven't seen each other in awhile." "Yeah. They've been pretty busy, haven't they? Of course, Dad's always busy, making sure that Mom behaves according to your standards." "My standards? I don't have standards for her." "I meant your people's standards." "I know what you meant. How are you feeling, Toko?" "Confused," Toko replied. "Why?" Pan asked. "I don't understand why you were all so worried about me." "You got beat up by a big monster. I went out to tell Grandpa that Toshi was awake and then he took my tail and I ran after him and a big monster...the same monster that must have jumped out at you jumped out at me and...and...and I told him that I was going to beat him up for hurting you," Taro said and Pan looked shocked. "You could have been hurt very badly," she said reproachfully and Taro looked at her. "No, 'cause my grandpas and Piccolo came and Piccolo brought me and Toshi back here. They wouldn't let me beat him up but I wanted to. I wanted to be just like all of you big people. I wonder why they wouldn't let me beat that mean monster up..." He frowned and the dog crawled out from under the chair. Taro looked up, just as the end of his tail was carried out the door and ran after the dog. "Toshi! Give it back!" ************************* Trunks and Gohan landed and Piccolo drew away from Loren. Trunks' gaze darkened like his father's had a tendency to do and he walked up to the Namek, his tail twitching angrily. "Loren, what did I tell you?" he asked and she looked at him. "He said it would be okay," she protested and he sighed. "Honey, it's not okay. I've told you how I feel about this." "I know but he said as long as you didn't find out, it was okay. But...but it's not okay 'cause you found out..." She sat on the ground in confusion as she tried to puzzle the situation out. Gohan looked at her and shook his head. She definitely reminded him of his father. Trunks walked up to the Namek and glared at him. Piccolo returned the gaze with his own cold and emotionless stare. Trunks shifted his eyes momentarily as he tried to think about what he exactly wanted to say. "Why can't you understand? Why can't you just leave her to me? Why do you have to care for her as much as you do?" he demanded and Piccolo's gaze darkened even further. "Her past is connected to mine. She was the only one I had when I was a small child, much like my nephew was with your son. You can't understand that. You've never been completely alone. You've always had someone that you could talk to, to play with. She gave me something that I never had before and I destroyed it in my mind. Now that my memory is complete, I don't want to lose her again. I know she's yours but can't you allow me time to show her my feelings to her or is that not important?" he asked. "It's important. I just don't like the way you constantly try to do what you do with her." "She expected it for the longest time. She still expects it. How do I deal with that? You have no power to deal with her desires so why should you expect anyone else to withstand her?" "He's got a point," Gohan said and Trunks looked at him. "I know that. Look, can you at least limit yourself to once every two months or something like that? I'm thinking about my daughter here and I don't want her to get ideas that such things are okay. We're trying to curb our desires around her and you're not helping anything," Trunks said as he watched Loren continue to think about the problem. "Loren, just forget it." "Have I made you mad?" she asked and Trunks sighed. "No you haven't made me mad." "Are you sure?" "Yes." "Okay." She stood up and Gohan watched her with interest. She still couldn't deal with certain things and no matter what she did, she still was extremely sensual. Trunks watched her brush the grass off of her legs and walked up to her. He ran his tail over her upper thigh and she glanced at him. "Why are you doing that?" she asked and he grinned. "Merely helping you out, honey. That's all," Trunks said as he kissed her neck. "Clarinet really likes Toko," Rion commented as he walked out of the house. "Should we be worried?" Gohan asked and Rion flushed. "No...he doesn't see her as something like that. He understands family structure. Better than I did..." "Let's not bring that time up again, Rion," Trunks said and Rion nodded his head. "I didn't mean to. I just meant that Clarinet wouldn't be like me, that's all." "I understand. I just don't want those memories to be brought up again. She still gets so upset over them." "I think we all do," Piccolo said. ************************** "What are you doing?" Trunks asked as the water hit his face. He was in the shower and he felt Loren running her hands over his tail. "I'm cleaning it. You don't want it dirty, do you?" she asked as she dropped the soap. She bent down to pick it up, but forgot to let go of his tail. Trunks shut his eyes tightly in pain as he waited for her to release her grasp on it. She finally let go and Trunks heaved a sigh in relief. Never before had he felt such a stinging sensation of pain. He felt his feet being spread apart as Loren tried to catch the soap as it slipped away from her. He gazed down at her for a moment then his eyes grew wide as she raised her body higher. He felt her skin press into his and bit his lip as he waited for her to pick up the soap and finish what she was doing. She moved forward slightly and he practically lost his balance. "Loren..." "What?" "Would you get out from under me?" "Huh? Oh...I didn't know I was that close..." "Loren, no." "I've got the soap so I can clean that too." "No." "I'll come back to the tail. That looks more important." "Honey..." "You don't want me to?" "It's not that I don't want you to, it's just that this is all very uncomfortable and there's enough steam in here without what you want to do." "Huh?" "Never mind." "What did you mean?" "Never mind. No, don't start doing that." "Why not?" "Because." His face grew extremely red and he opened the small bathroom window for some fresh air. He gazed out at the sky which was dotted with stars and a large yellowish moon that hung directly in the center of the star-filled tapestry and sighed. The moon looked so beautiful out there. He stared at it, becoming lost in his thoughts, barely feeling what Loren was doing to him. He became transfixed on the orb of the night and succumbed to its call with his entire body. He gazed down at Loren, who stared at him in shock and she slowly moved her hands away from his middle. Trunks gazed at her, warmly, hoping that his gaze would comfort her. It did and she rubbed soap over her hands and then began to clean his body. She felt him go one step further and gazed at his golden hair that now reached his lower back. She frowned for a moment and he laid a hand on her shoulder. "What is it?" he asked and she gazed up at him. "Your hair is too long now," she said and he smiled. "But it's still me. I haven't changed at all." "I know that. I like your hair long but I don't think I like it that long." "Here, let me have the soap." "Okay. You're not going to break it are you?" "No. I'm going to be gentle. I think we need a bigger bathroom for this sort of thing. What did you do?" "I moved the shower outside. See? Now we don't have to worry about limitations." Trunks shook his head as he lathered up his hands. He ran his strong but gentle fingers over her entire body, paying special attention to her chest and hip area. She leaned back contentedly in his arms as he continued to clean her. He kissed her as she began to move her body over his. He wasn't sure what she was doing but he wasn't complaining. She drew away from him and he gazed at her with interest. "You do know that you don't need a moon to do that, don't you?" she asked and he looked at her. "To get to this level of a Super Saiyen? Yeah, I thought that was the case. I mean, I didn't have to look at a moon to go Super before so why should I now? Anyway, I just started looking at the moon and became so focused on it..." "What are you doing now?" "You know what I'm doing. I'll be gentle." "I hope so. I'm not prepared for any surprises." *********************************** "Please, sit down. I wasn't expecting you two," the Supreme Kai said and ushered them into his room. He glanced at Trunks for a moment, then shook his head in disbelief. "That's why we're here. Rion didn't completely destroy that training room, did he?" Trunks asked as Loren sat on his lap. "No but how did you acquire such an extension?" "It just grew. I want to use your room so that I can control my new abilities." "You can use is, just be careful. I just got it repaired from when Rion messed it up." "I'll be as careful as I can. Ready Loren?" "I think so," Loren replied she stood up. "Let's get going, then. I want to do as much work as I can." "You're not going to hold anything back, are you?" "Only if you won't." "I won't." "Good. I actually hit her." "Are you serious?" the Supreme Kai asked and Trunks nodded his head. "Yes. I'm glad she has heal herself. I struck her pretty hard. I didn't mean to," Trunks said as he embraced Loren. He had noticed that she was looking upset again. He didn't mean to keep bringing the incident up but it was so shocking to everyone that he had matched her speed. He knew that he was the only one that trained with her but for him to be able to land a hit? "Here you are. Please, be careful," Shin said as he opened the door. Trunks took Loren's hand and led her into the training room. He kissed her as the door closed then he drew away and glanced at her. "Let's get going," he said and transformed. Loren concentrated and switched to her armor. It was a look that Trunks had not seen for a long time and he knew that she was serious the minute he saw her change. "I'm ready," she said and he nodded his head. "You sure look it." He attempted to kick her and she dodged it. He watched her movements and released a series of energy blasts which he hoped she would dodge. He didn't want to hurt her like he had done before. She dodged his attacks rather easily, which made him extremely wary of her power level. He had forgotten that there was two extremely different sides of her personality. There was her normal, innocent, sweet side and then there was her seriousness. He had forgotten how cold she could get when others were being threatened. She wasn't cold now, but her actions reminded him of her fighting spirit. He blocked her attack and Loren stared at him in shock. He withdrew his sword and concentrated his energy into it until it glowed brightly. Its glow reminded him of the dragonballs as he swung his sword. Her cry of pain echoed throughout the building and the Supreme Kai dropped his work in shock. He ran out of the room as fast as he could and into the training room where Trunks knelt on the ground, crying profusely. The Supreme Kai stopped in his tracks, his mouth open wide in awe as the room shook in response to his awesome but erratic power. "Did you...kill her?" the Supreme Kai managed to ask and Trunks gazed pitifully up at him. "N-neither of us saw it happening," he managed to say as he ran a hand over her motionless body. *************************** Rion sat up in shock and Pan stared at him. She put her arms around him and kissed him. He glanced at her and allowed her to make her advances. She drew away from him and looked at him. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Mother. Something's happened to her," Rion replied. "What?" "I...I don't know. I felt pain and shock and then nothing." "What are you doing?" "I've got to see what the problem is." "But it's so late." "They're at the Supreme Kai's. I'll try to be back soon." "I hope she's all right." "Me too." Rion stood up and materialized his clothing then disappeared. He reappeared in the Supreme Kai's office and brushed his lavender hair out of his eyes as he began running for the training room. In his haste, he had forgotten to put his hair back. He materialized a restraint for his hair and continued his sprint to the training room. He phased through the door and ran up to his father who had not moved an inch since the Supreme Kai's arrival. "Father, what happened?" he asked and Trunks gazed up at him. "Neither of us was expecting it. I hit her really hard this time. Please help her out. I feel so terrible for this," Trunks replied. ********************************** Rion laid a hand on his mother's chest and concentrated. He tried to feel her presence but could not. He sensed that his father was becoming unstable again, something that happened only when a drastic event occurred with her. He gazed at Trunks and tried to think of some comforting words that he could say to his father but found none. "She couldn't have died, could she?" the Supreme Kai asked and Trunks looked at him. "I wish I didn't have this ability," Trunks said and Rion looked at him. "Father, you're sounding like us. Don't. Now you've told me that all of this happens for a reason, right?" Rion asked. "This was an accident. This wasn't supposed to happen." "Even accidents have a purpose," the Supreme Kai said. "You can't be serious." "I am extremely serious." "I've worked so hard to keep her here. To keep her happy and now look at what I've done." "Father, you didn't mean to do it. She's not going to fault you for this," Rion said. "I feel so terrible for this. By my own hand..." Trunks said and Rion took his hand. "Father, please. Don't get like me. This isn't the way she'd want you. I don't know what happened but let's try our best to bring her back, all right?" "Yes. Yes. Let's try. I don't want to continue without her. Not again." "I know Father. Your heart couldn't stand another time like that. We'll get her back. Trust me." *********************************** "What...what was that that he did?" Loren gasped as Yorin laid her hands on her. "I do not know. I've never seen something like that. It attacked your essence, not your physical body," Yorin said and Loren gazed up at her. "But...but if we cannot be destroyed then how...?" "Perhaps that standard no longer holds true for us." "Then...then he could...kill me?" "I don't know, Kalina. I don't understand this. I think he's accessed something much greater than all of us." "If we all created what we exist in, then how can there be anything greater?" "I don't know. I really don't know." "Can you let me go back? He's so upset. I don't want my absence to hurt him any more." "I'm afraid not, Kalina. I'm trying my hardest but I cannot heal this wound." "But I have to go back. He needs me." "The only way for him to see you right now is for your offspring to transport him here. I cannot send you back." "Can I speak to him?" "You can try." ************************************ Rion's eyes grew wide and Trunks looked at him. "What is it? Do you feel her?" he asked and Rion nodded his head. "Well, not exactly. I can hear her. She wants you to go to her and she wants...she wants you to come as well, Uncle Shin," Rion said and the Supreme Kai stared at him. "Me?" he asked and Rion nodded his head. "Yes. Her friend requests your presence there. I hope I can do this. I don't have the same power level as Mother but I think I can get you both there..." "You have to do it. I have to see her. I've got to apologize for what I've done." "Father, I've told you that it isn't your fault. Now, please, start acting like yourself instead of me. It hurts to see you like that. You have no reason to get this way. Me...well I can't help it. Grandpa wouldn't like to see you this way, would he?" "My father never struck my mother like I did to Loren." "Grandma isn't like Mother, Dad. Now, please. Calm down. I can't do this properly if you're going to be emotional like this." Trunks took a deep breath and tightly squeezed Loren's motionless hand. He gently kissed her, hoping that somehow, the two forms were connected as Rion looked at the Supreme Kai. "I need you to stand next to Father, Uncle. Otherwise I can't do it right," Rion said and the Supreme Kai complied with his request. Rion smiled gratefully at Shin and closed his eyes. ********************************** "What's the matter?" Clarinet asked as Toko stared out the window. "Mommy," she replied and Clarinet took her hand. "She'll be okay. Father will help." "I don't know. Rion's pretty upset right now and I don't know where Daddy went." "Maybe he turned into a giant monkey and ran off to fight bad guys," Taro said and Toko looked at him. "Why can't you bug someone else?" Toko asked. "He's only trying to make you feel better," Pan said and Toko looked at her. "Well he isn't doing a very good job." "He would be if you just gave him a chance." "He's happy 'cause he doesn't understand. He's such a pain." "You aren't giving him a chance, Toko." "He's worried too," Clarinet said and Toko looked at him. "What's going to happen if she doesn't come back? I don't want Daddy upset again. I don't like seeing him that way." "I'm sure she'll come back dear. It may take awhile," Pan said as Bulma walked into the house. "What happened now?" she asked. "I don't know. Rion just said that something was wrong with his mother and left. I don't know what, though. I'm waiting for him to come back." "She's always getting hurt in some form or another, isn't she?" "Yes. Why though? Why does she get hurt the most?" "Mentally because she's vulnerable. Physically, I think that Demar person really hurt her when he attacked her and she's never fully gotten over that." "I've heard about him. A little about him at least. Rion doesn't like to talk about him." "No one does." *************************** Trunks appeared and was about to run to Loren when Yorin stopped him. The Supreme Kai stared in awe at his surroundings as Trunks looked at Yorin. "What did I do? Please tell me," Trunks pleaded and Yorin looked at him. "I do not know what has been done," she replied. "I know what has been done," the Elder said as he stepped into the light. "You were brought here, Supreme Kai because he and a green child and a non-human and someone of royalty will need your authorization to travel throughout your plane. I seem to be forgetting someone...ah yes. A brave and compassionate warrior and the offspring of the sacred realm will be in your party as well." "I can grant them unlimited access to my section, but you will need to speak with the other Kais for their authorization," the Supreme Kai said. "He certainly can speak to them on the grounds of his affiliation with you, can he not?" "Yes, of course." "What am I going to have to do?" Trunks asked. "The key that the young one holds in her possession was weakened by Demar. It took on some of his personality for a short time. Your attack hit the key's weak point and shattered it. You will have to search throughout the universe for the shards. You also have only three years to do it in. The key is the young one's essence. Without it, she will become one with what she has created. You must collect all of the shards. Only when you find all of them, can she return to her physical body. What you see now will slowly degenerate as time goes on. Yorin is keeping her stable but there will come a time when her powers will be useless to help the young one," the Elder said and Trunks nodded his head to show that he understood everything. "Then please get us back home and I will start my journey immediately," he said. "Do not lose what you have acquired. You will need it in the future. Your opposition will big large and your time short. You will need to work as a team, not individually."
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