67.0

Capsule Industries - Trunks Bedroom

"...Done."

Trunks sat down the second of two silver rings onto his work desk and released a contented sigh. His hard work had paid off. All night long, the half saiyan had been completing the weddings bands. They were simple yet unique, one with T, the other C after their respective namesakes. But it went deeper than that--they were also equipped with a tracking device, per his future concerns of danger, and a communication button. It only sent and received audio, and one needed to spin the outside layer of metal to activate the dialer, but it was simple enough for his tech-ignorant girlfriend.

Swwfss

Speaking of, her Ki came from behind. He hurriedly shoved the rings into his trench coat and swiveled, "Chisato!"

She dropped the two fingers from her forehead. "Good morning. I hope I'm not intruding..."

"No, no. I was uh, going to see you actually." He stood and crossed over, giving her a chaste kiss. "You're up early."

Rhuda was wearing casual clothing again today; a summer time dress of pink with white flowers all over, ending at her knees. Her thigh length auburn hair was up in a ponytail, and her lips shone wet with chap stick. Compared to her beauty Trunks felt he was poorly dressed in his usual Time Patrol uniform.

"...Yes...I...had trouble sleeping, you see. B-But anyway, ano...how are you doing?"

"I'm fine, thanks. Did Kolard keep you awake? Or...perhaps you're too excited about getting married?" Trunks asked, watching her carefully. He waited for her thoughts to clue him in, but found they never arrived.

'Why can't I hear her thoughts? Did something happen?'

Rhuda took her hand into his and said, "I was with Gohan. Last night."

"!"

'With...Gohan? Like...lovers?'

He swallowed. "Y-You mean something different, right? You two didn't do anything...y-you wouldn't.."

The guilt in her eyes was enough to give Trunks the jitters.

She shook her head and said, "I'd rather you see for yourself. Please." She moved aside her ponytail and Trunks could barely contain his sudden panic, but he nodded and held her to him, gently nipping her skin just enough to draw blood. He licked the wound and swallowed the salty iron.

Instead of passing out, Trunks stayed quite alert. That was because he'd already became her [Soul-Mate] and as such, the memories caught up to him. From the time Kolard had been born until now.

'Chisato...! She's been through so much...I had no idea...'

His cobalt eyes filled with tears. "Chisato..."

He held her and wept into her shoulder. While he was focused on finding Fu his tiny innocent girlfriend had been pushing herself to incredible depth, all to keep up with him. To be useful. To protect him. Not only that, but she truly didn't know if he'd make her choose between her sons, Kolard and Tie. That fear had went on for nine whole months--months filled with training under heavy gravity, passing out alone, dealing with the growth of Kolard and his eventual birth. Trunks had a new appreciation for women and pregnancy. After Kolards birth, Trunks caught up to the Tournament. There he watched from her eyes the fight with Granola, Fu, and even the Dragon.

Upon going home, his girlfriend had been distraught having to tell Trunks the truth. Each and every panic attack that followed, Trunks felt, until the doom finally eased. Gohan. Gohan had been the one there for her, when it should have been Trunks.

Knowing what he knew now, Trunks Briefs could not simply cast aside her thoughts and be selfish. Instead, Trunks was grateful for Gohan and all he had done to help them both.

Trunks finally quieted himself. "I...this whole time...I've been so stupid! How could you...stay with me, through all that? I'm so sorry..."

Rhuda pulled his head to hers and kissed his forehead. "Don't be silly. Ano...that is, I love Trunks so very much. The one who's sorry is me. But you deserve someone else, Trunks. That's why...we need to end things."

His heart seized and came up and out of his throat. "D-Don't say that. Please, Chisato. I--I couldn't bear to be without you."

"Trunks..."

After that heart to heart, Rhuda bit Trunks, wanting to know his thoughts and emotions once more. Both realized that the [Soul-Mate] was linked to whomever they'd bitten last.

They comforted one another, cuddling on his bed. Time slowed down as each voiced their worries and concerns over the future, a future which would include Gohan. To that Trunks was rather reluctant to agree on things. "He loves you like I do," Trunks said to her. He rubbed her hand absentmindedly, "...I understand he's devoted to Videl. I--I get that. But he wants you, too."

"Uuu...Trunks, I can't help that..." Rhuda leaned onto his shoulder, adding, "The one I want to marry is Trunks."

"You don't understand!" Trunks pushed her off of him and mounted his girlfriend, staring at her curvy body. A body he wanted to explore more than anything. "You're mine."

*

Rhuda stared up at her boyfriend. His chilly blue eyes, lavender hair, and broad shoulders. A great warmth flowed through her. "...I am. All of me." Seeing his trailing gaze she cupped his cheeks and flushed. "The way you're looking at me right now...is like I'm dessert."

"Ha...yeah. You can say that." He smirked, fondled her mouth and pulled away breathless.

('I want to take her right now. Dammit. Thinking that Gohan might steal her away is making me crazy.')

"Our wedding is in one week. When that happens..." Rhuda bit her lip and peered up at him cutely, "I'll get to have Trunks to eat."

"Uwah..!"

Trunks hopped up before he really did just take her virginity then and there. He held his racing heart, trying to get it to calm down. It was no good. "I won't let you go even if you beg, you know. Prepare yourself Chisato." He warned over his shoulder.

"...I look forward to that..."

Like that the two lovebirds switched topics. Trunks pulled from his pocket the wedding bands he'd been working on. He went over the details on how to work them, adding that they charge with Ki energy. "Here they are."

She eyed them. "They're very simple and neat. I'll be able to wear mine while doing dishes without worry!"

"Doing dishes?" Trunks chuckled and ruffled her hair, "...My wife won't need to do that."

"Eh? Why not?"

"That's what maids are for."

That led into another conversation. Trunks had been set on hiring staff to do those things, but Rhuda was adamant. "If its okay with Trunks...I want to be a housewife."

"Well uh, I mean...if you want. Is there a specific reason?"

With a smile and head tilt she explained. "I've been daydreaming about it. Washing your clothes, making the food, and cleaning. It's been my fantasy to be that way for Trunks."

('Too...cute.. Dammit..')

Trunks ears were quite red. He squished her to him and kissed her forehead. "Alright. C'mon. We should probably head over to the Time Nest now. Before I eat you all up."

"Hya! You're so bold..!"

*

*

*

Conton City - Plaza

Zamasus teeth where grating so hard it was beginning to cramp.

"We don't need a Potions shop!" Reimu said, scowling at Marisa.

Marisa stomped her brown boot. "Be quiet! Like we need a fortuneteller! At least my potions are useful!"

They'd been at it for hours it seemed. Zamasu had the misfortune of hearing their arguement. He had voiced his own opinion--neither was necessary-- but had been overruled by Chronoa. Thus the two future warriors had set off to find a nice spot in the Plaza to set up. The only issue was that space was limited, and there was only room for one Shop beside the fountain. A beneficial spot and viewable from everywhere. The other land was to the right of the Time Academy and not so well to do.

Tired of their chatter, Zamasu hovered away, his senses keenly tuned to one mortal girl who'd arrived.

She came hand in hand with Trunks, spotting Zamasu flying to them around the transporter. "Lord Zamasu!" She called, waving brightly.

'She's in good spirits.'

Zamasu lightly waved his hand and motioned to the future warriors, "Perhaps someone can cease their incessant debate."

Trunks eyed Marisa and Reimu, both at each others throats. He rubbed his neck, "I uh, can try? I'll meet you at the Nest, beautiful."

'Beautiful?'

"Y-yes..." Rhuda replied, blushing furiously.

'Disgusting!'

Zamasu scowled. "You two are revolting."

"Eh? Ano...are you busy, Lord Zamasu?" She asked, fluttering her lashes his way.

"...You're going to ask me for something again aren't you, mortal." Zamasu sighed, brushed away a white lock of hair from his face and motioned around, "Very well. Let's hear it."

"Well...the thing is...you have such beautiful handwriting...and I have to write wedding vows..."

"W-Wedding vows! Don't tell me you're getting oxened to that capricious saiyan!" He spat. "To be yoked to that--barbaric--"

Rhuda became very timid right away. She dipped down and peeked at him bashfully from beneath spiky bangs. "...Lord Zamasu...I didn't mean to make you upset."

"I'm not upset!"

"Ano...but you're yelling.."

Zamasu snatched her hand and stormed them both to the Time Academy.

*

Conton - Time Academy

The bunk beds were gone. Zamasu had removed them after realizing Rhuda wasn't coming back, and since he never slept their presence was moot. In its place he'd purchased book cases and those were jam packed with ancient texts. To the right, beneath a tiny window where his precious potted plants. Some were ready to be planted outside, the others only barely showing their sprouts.

Zamasu thrust her into the room and slammed the door. He leaned against it. "You wish for me to write your wedding vows? Do you not know a deity is above such nonsense!"

"..."

Seeing her trembling lip only made him more agitated. Zamasau motioned with his hand, "I have far more important things to do than lower myself to be your backbone, mortal."

"I'm sorry. Please, forget I asked." She bowed. "...I will do my best on my own. But...c-can I borrow a book on kanji? That is, I can't write very well and need to study."

Zamasu paused.

"Can't write? Are you that uneducated?"

"...My family moved a lot. Because of that, school became difficult. Eventually I couldn't keep up with the changing pace..." She placed her hand to her chest and looked off in thought. "You have the most beautiful handwriting. I thought surely...Lord Zamasu could lend me his strength."

The Kai who hated mortals with a passion found himself hot in the face. His strength, she'd said. As if note-taking was some athletic competition..

Zamasu pulled out his desk chair and sat down. "You'll owe me, girl."

"Does that mean you'll help me after all?"

"Idiot! Just tell me what to write!"

He was entirely unprepared for her smile. It lit the entire room with cheeriness, and thus he sat stunned before realizing she had embraced his shoulders. "You're the best, Lord Zamasu! Truly, I couldn't have asked a better person!"

For a Kai to be so flustered at the hands of a mortal was humiliating. Yet the soft arms around his shoulders weren't unwelcome. In fact, they fit quite nicely there and had an enchanting aroma. He didn't dare move a muscle, but his light brows lifted in a daze. It wasn't so bad to be touched. As long as it were by her.

'If Gowasu saw this...'

Zamasu shut his eyes in reflection.

Gowasu had been a kind and seemingly dimwitted Supreme Kai. Waiting on him hand and foot as he had for thousands of years had been boring to say the least. So Zamasu filled his time with studying subjects, devouring knowledge as much as he could. One could even claim he'd read all the ancient texts.

["Never meddle in a mortals life," Gowasu had said to him.

Zamasu sat down his masters tea from his tray and paid close attention to his master. Gowasu looked at the steaming liquid of his tea as he always did, checking it for clarity of spirit.

"Why would we ever need to bother with their affairs?" Zamasu asked.

After taking a drink of his tea Gowasu looked away, to the surrounding garden. "One day you'll find yourself tempted. Tempted to intervene. Many a Kai have fallen away and lost their sight, finding themselves caught up in someones destiny. It's not our place to change that. Only to observe."

Zamasu really didn't understand why a Kai couldn't do as they wanted; after all, they were Gods--shouldn't it be exactly their right to do as they saw fit? "Master Gowasu...your words confuse me. Is there some answer I don't understand?"

"You're young yet, Zamasu. But there will be a time when your neutrality is tested. That's when you'd do well to heed my words. For now...enjoy the tea."

Yet Zamasu didn't enjoy the tea at all. He drank it, imagining an impossible scenario where he'd actually care about a mortal--any mortal. Preposterous.]

The past left his mind. It was really too bad that Zamasu was never the type of person to follow along and do as he was told. It was already too late for him; the girl touching his person had became a fixation of sorts. A thread that he could cling to and weave. Instead of keeping his distance, his heart yearned for more of her explosive soul with its brightness.

Rhuda removed her hands and said, "Ano...excuse me for saying so, but Lord Zamasu smells like flowers. Do you wear cologne?"

He shook his head. "...No. My smell comes from my habit of taking care of them."

"Oh! Yes, that makes sense."

Like an eager puppy she hovered near him. He sighed, "Wedding vows between a warrior race...just what will that entail?"

"...I...don't know. I'm sorry...I'm very ignorant, aren't I?"

"Indeed." He picked up his quill, dipping it into dark ink. "A first draft is needed, then. Tell me these feelings you have for that boy."

"Well...I...love him. And I want to protect him always. A-And grow old together..."

'Grow old? That's right.'

Zamasu didn't know why, but thinking about her bright star dying out left him ill at ease. He scowled at his paper. "Idiot! Why talk about dying at your wedding? As if it's something to be proud of!"

"...Ano...you're right. It's only that...I didn't think I'd still be here. So I...got happy, knowing that my life could end with old age."

An image of her enshrined in glass shards deep within the Time Vault came to mind. He looked over, "You won't fade away as you think. A mortal such as yourself has many years to come."

"You...really think so?" She asked, searching his face.

His hand lifted to touch the skin of her cheek lightly. "Yes...because I'm going to ensure that you do."

*

The smooth as silk hand on her cheek was warm. Rhudas pulse sped up. 'He's never acted so nicely to me before. Did I say something he liked, maybe?'

She couldn't help the smile on her face. "Lord Zamasu is being so kind. It makes me so happy, thinking we're becoming friends."

His hand stilled. There was a deeper expression within his beautiful gray eyes. One she didn't understand. His mouth twisted a little at the edges as he said, "Friends? A God and a mortal?"

"You're right. I'm sorry--I spoke out of turn...!"

"An apology without a reason for it. I only repeated your words, girl." His eyes flit to her lips. "...There can only be one reason why I would bestow you with my attention."

"R-Right. I owe you for it. If there's anything Lord Zamasu wants then I'll do my very best to get it!"

"Me? Wanting something for my own?"

Nod.

His ears grew pink. With a sharp jolt he began scribbling something down onto his paper. He lifted the page, pointing to a kanji she'd never read before. "This? You want...that, then?" She asked.

"Indeed."

"May I take this paper with me?"

"By all means..." he cleared his throat after thrusting the page to her. "We've got much work to do here. Your lack of romantic thoughts leave me filling in the blanks. Begin by describing...."

The time passed as Zamasu asked her question after question, trying to discern just what he should come up with. Rhuda did her best, and before long two hours had passed.