DB series Story collection

Point of no return II

"Simple yet incredibly useful technique," Vegeta said from behind him. "Where did you learn such a thing?"

Trunks frowned and looked down a little. "My master. He showed me the technique," he said in a soft voice.

"Why so blue, kid? He taught you well. He must be proud."

"He died some time ago," Trunks said with a wince as a familiar pain tightened around his heart.

"Hey, don't worry," Vegeta said in a surprisingly caring and sympathetic voice. "I will take good care of you now, kid... I promise."

Trunks smiled. Maybe this was the good side of Vegeta that his mother had seen. Yes, maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. "Thanks, Vegeta," he said genuinely.

Vegeta chuckled. "Don't mention it. Now then, another question for you."

"Shoot."

"Tell me, half-breed...did you really think that Nappa wouldn't tell me that you lied to us about your power?"

Trunks slowly came to a stop, his breath catching in his throat as his father's words rang loud and clear in his mind.

He knew.

"What's the matter? Was it something I said?" his father's nonchalant voice asked from behind him.

"Whatever Nappa said, it's not true," Trunks said, trying to keep his desperation out of his voice even though he could practically feel the heat of his father's rage bearing down on his back. "I am not-"

Vegeta released a furious growl as he grabbed Trunks by the arm and spun him around. Before Trunks could get up a proper defense, Vegeta had already landed a vicious punch to the face that knocked the teenager down hard, sending his scouter flying. Trunks coughed, his body suddenly beginning to tremble as blood trickled out of his nose. The teenager blinked and shook his head, finally realizing that something was seriously wrong with this picture. He felt zapped, like he had no strength at all. He slowly tried pulling himself up, but it was taking an extraordinary amount of effort.

Meanwhile, Vegeta circled him like a shark that smelled blood.

"You lied to us about your true power. You conveniently stumbled upon us on a random purging assignment, one week after Ares failed an assassination attempt on the lives of me and my men. You must take me to be a goddamn fool, boy."

Trunks glanced up warily just in time to see Vegeta slam his foot down hard right on his sternum, forcing him back down to the ground. Trunks cried out in pain at the impact, his father's violent blow cracking the plate of his armor. The teenager grimaced and looked up at his father, but Vegeta's eyes were cold and uncompromising.

"You show far too much concern over my well-being. You show far too much interest towards the Tuffles, as if trying to find out what we think about them. Then you play with your technological toy and almost cry when I destroy it. What was it, boy? A spying device for the Tuffles?" he sneered.

"NO! It was something my mother gave me!" Trunks yelled instinctively, horrified at the conclusion his father had come to. His plan to join the Saiyans was rapidly backfiring in his face. The teenager desperately tried summoning up strength to remove his father's foot from his chest, but his eyes widened in panic when he realized it was to no avail. Vegeta tilted his head curiously as he looked down at the teenager, clearly seeing what he was trying to do.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. You should really pay more attention to what you eat, kid," Vegeta said as a sinister smirk spread back over his face.

"You...poisoned me...?" Trunks gasped out in complete disbelief. Vegeta threw his head back and laughed loudly at the accusation.