Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ... I don't own Trunks... yet... but a girl can always dream right? ;-) This is all purely fictional (I think...) and fan based straight out of my warped anime obsessed imagination. ;-)

Breathe Me to Life – Chapter 17

" Chibi Invasion? "

The rest of the week was fairly uneventful... Well, for the most part...

Trunks went along with whatever game his Mother, and Kalona were playing. He knew that they, along with his Father, and Grandparents, were hiding things from him. He also had a pretty good idea of what they were hiding... Yet he kept his suspicions to himself, making mental notes while observing the girl silently.

Kalona had learned the layout of the compound quickly, as well as the duties her new 'position' would demand of her. Much like the story she'd been writing, she would be helping Bulma, and her Mother with household chores, as well as babysitting this time lines version of Trunks when he, and his Grandparents, returned from their trip to the Bamboo Forest.

The trio had departed the day after her arrival, and she'd not had the opportunity to meet the youngest member of the family yet...

How hard could it be? Kalona had thought to herself, Trunks was just a baby in this time... right...?

It was a rather chilly morning the day the elder Briefs were due to return. Everyone had awoken extra early in preparation. Kalona was getting breakfast started when she heard yelling coming from outside, quickly followed by the sound of slamming doors, and running feet. Was that a herd of Elephants racing up the stairs? Kalona wondered, and frowned at the ceiling, as the stomping was now directly above her head.

She knew Bulma's parents were fond of bringing home animals which could no longer survive on their own in the wild... so she could only guess they'd brought one inside, and now, said creature was loose inside the compound.

Oh dear, she began visualizing all manners of carnivorous beasts, ones that were large with red eyes, and terribly sharp incisors, that could rip, and tear the flesh from ones body. So it was no surprise that her entire body went ridged upon hearing the creature storming down the back stairs... the back stairs which connected to the kitchen...

Kalona was in the kitchen, she only hesitated a mere second before lunging for the knife block, or rather the large stainless steel blade nestled inside. It was here now, she could hear it panting, and growling...

Growling? Holy shit... she'd hoped her over active imagination was just going into hyper drive on her, but it seemed that wasn't the case. Now armed, she quickly spun around to face whatever had just burst through the door... and screamed!...

Outside...

"That boy of yours needs to learn some proper manners. He should be helping us move these two inside, not running off to hide the moment we land." Dr. Briefs scolded his Daughter.

"I know Dad. Listen, Vegeta already went after him... but you know how Saiyans get when they're hungry... Here, let me help this time." Bulma smiled as she spoke and moved next to one of the crates. "I thought these were extinct! Omigosh Dad... does the society know you found this?"

Dr. Briefs nodded his head. "This was actually what we were sent to retrieve. As you can see, the poor thing has some injuries that do not seem to have properly healed. As such she was left behind by the others... The society is still tracking them, and hopefully this one can be reunited once fully healed. Ahh look, here comes your Son now."

Bulma looked over her shoulder to see Trunks approaching, sighing as she stepped away from the crate. There would be no helping now that he was here to do the heavy lifting... Saiyans really are handy to have around. She couldn't help snickering at the thought, soliciting a raised eyebrow from both her Son, and her Father.

"What?" She asked innocently.

"Nothing, you just had that weird look you sometimes get when you're up to no good, Mother."

"Who me? Up to no good? Pish posh." Bulma waved her arm dramatically in the air as she walked away.

"Sure whatever." Trunks rolled his eyes, knowing damn well that the woman was in fact up to her ears in no good'ed-ness lately...

This is when they heard the scream... or rather, screams. One quickly followed after the first, the two merging together in unison momentarily... though the second quickly grew stronger, while the first seemed to fade out completely.

Bulma stopped in her tracks, staring at the building with raised eyebrows... unsure if she should continue inside , or remain where she was. Her hair flew up around her face as Trunks sailed past her, and she simply shrugged, blowing her bangs from her eyes as she turned back to her parents... "Looks like I get to help after all." She smiled and half skipped back...

"I'm so sorry... I thought you were some crazed wild animal about to attack me..." Kalona began stammering as she took in the sight before her. Messy lavender locks, cascading down into vivid pools of blue. The poor thing looked like a deer caught in a cars headlights... Kalona had to bite back the squeal that nearly escaped... She was staring at a mini Trunks, and he was the most adorable thing she had ever seen.

"You're only half correct. The brat is an animal... However, I doubt he would ever actually attack you." Vegeta smirked as he stepped into the room, taking the knife from Kalona's shaking hand. He took a moment to assess her condition before dropping her hand. "He's hungry..." Vegeta spoke now with a tone that most would consider autocratic. It only took Kalona a second to understand she had in fact just been given an order by the Saiyan Prince.

"Well then, we should probably do something about that, shouldn't we?" Kalona asked. Then unable to resist any longer, she reached out and rumpled the boys hair, successfully bringing him out of his trance like state.

Mirai Trunks leaned in the doorway watching the scene play out. She didn't know the kid... How was that possible if she worked here? It wasn't like he was a quiet child that could go unnoticed, or overlooked easily. He was a rambunctious, demon spawn, only put here to make Mirai's life an absolute, miserable, hell when he visited. And now he's got the girl fawning over him...

"More! Lot's more! Oh, and add chocolate sauce too!" Chibi Trunks shouted with enthusiasm.

"Hey, she's not one of the serving bots you know. Stop being such a rude little prick." Mirai Trunks muttered as he sat next to his younger self.

"I'm not..." Chibi Trunks began to whine.

"He's fine. I asked him what he'd like to eat, and he told me. No harm, no foul..." Kalona smiled sweetly before turning back to the job at hand.

"Mm... Fowl sounds good. You can make that for dinner." Vegeta grumbled as he left the room.

Chibi Trunks began grinning like a Cheshire cat. "She's making me Chocolate chip pancakes, with extra chips and..."

"Yeah, I heard." Mirai Trunks leaned in close. "I was standing right over there when you YELLED IT!"

Kalona stopped what she was doing to briefly glance over her shoulder at the duo and rolled her eyes. "What would you like Trunks?"

"I just told you..." Chibi Trunks started, and was cut off by a large hand covering his mouth.

"She was talking to me you little baka. And I'm fine thank you." Mirai Trunks answered.

Mmm hmm, yes you certainly are. Kalona grinned at the thought. When she turned fully to look, Mirai Trunks was blushing slightly. I only thought it right? Shit... did he just raise an eyebrow?

Later that evening, Trunks found the girl, along with his younger self in the game room upstairs...

"I win again! See, I warned you... I can't be beat." Chibi Trunks was dancing in front of the large screen TV, waving a game controller in the air while Kalona laughed. Mirai Trunks sat down next to her and chuckled. "You sure about that?" He asked, watching as his younger self went wide eyed and froze. "I think she could beat you... with some help from a legend that is." Kalona raised an eyebrow, yet said nothing as Mirai brought his arm around her, placing his hands on either side of the controller in her lap.

"No! That isn't fair! You're ganging up on me! Two against one! It's not fair! I'll tell Mom!" Chibi Trunks pouted and glared at Mirai.

"That's OK, I'll just watch the two of you play..." Kalona quickly interjected, pressing the controller firmly into Mirai Trunks hands, and sliding out from under his arm. Was that disappointment she saw in his eyes? "I learn better by watching anyway." She shrugged.

"Yeah? Then you probably should just watch me..." Chibi Trunks began boasting.

"Watch you cry when I beat you for the up-millionth time? Yeah, I highly recommend seeing that show." Mirai Trunks looked at Kalona now and grinned. "Stay right where you are, and watch me if you really want to learn something."

Kalona swallowed hard, as she brought her knees close to her chest and chewed on her lower lip. He was being extremely cocky compared to the mild mannered, shy guy he normally appeared to be. Even more so than usual. She really liked this side of Mirai Trunks... There was no longer any sign of the emotional scars that weighed so heavily on his shoulders. Right now, in this moment, he was by all means and accounts, a normal guy, just goofing off and giving his 'kid brother' a hard time. This was the life he should have had all along... She felt the single tear sliding down her cheek, and the hand that wasn't her own wipe it away before she had time to react.

"What's wrong? Did you say something to make her cry?" Chibi Trunks stood frowning at them both.

Mirai Trunks gave him a sideways glare before turning his attention back to the girl. "Are you alright? I guess we can get a little carried away..."

"What? Oh, um no, I think I just got something in my eye that's all." Kalona tried to reassure the lavender haired demi Saiyans.

A gruff voice spoke from the doorway. "Dinners ready. Trunks, can I speak with you." Vegeta stood, leaning against the door frame.

"FOOOOOD!" Chibi Trunks threw the game controller in the air, and tore out of the room ignoring his fathers request that he 'slow the hell down'.

Kalona followed at a much slower pace, bowing her head as she passed the Saiyan Prince. He was nothing like the Vegeta she was familiar with from TV, yet in many ways he was exactly the same. This man exuded power, and confidence far greater than his anime counterpart. He was most certainly bullheaded, however, his stubbornness always appeared to be justified. He was much taller than the character she was used too... though not quite as tall as Trunks, he came very close. He was like a Greek Adonis with his chiseled features, and sculpted muscles from head to toe. The man was almost buzzing with energy it seemed as well. And Kalona wondered what would happen if she were to touch him... Would it equate to little more than a static shock, similar to what she felt when she touched Trunks, or would she be reduced to mere ashes on the spot? She snickered at the very cartoon-ish scene that was now playing out in the theater of her mind...

In the end, her curiosity got the best of her, causing her to quickly spin full circle, half tripping as she reached out to catch her balance. It all happened so fast, one second she was about to touch his arm, and the next she was in his arms...

Mirai Trunks watched with an amused grin as the girl closed her eyes tight, and brought her arms in front of herself defensively. Did she truly believe his Father would harm her? Judging by her actions, apparently she did. Trunks simply shrugged his shoulders when Vegeta shot him a questioning look.

"S-sorry... I thought I'd forgotten something... I um... Sorry." Kalona bowed a few times as she spoke, her face growing increasingly red as she stammered out her apology. "I should go... B-Bulma is probably wondering where I'm at... I'm r-really sorry sir... I..."

"It's fine... Just go already!" Vegeta growled.

Nothing more than a squeak escaped Kalona's lips at this point. She quickly turned and bolted down the stairs half expecting to be blasted along the way. At the bottom of the steps she breathed a deep sigh of relief... she was still alive...

Trunks continued to watch the girl as she left, causing Vegeta to snort and roll his eyes. "You're starting to get a bad habit of chasing after the house staff, boy."

"What?" Trunks eyes were wide. "I'm not... she's not... it's not like that."

"What is it like then?" Vegeta sat down, grabbing the game controller that chibi Trunks had so carelessly discarded. "I don't know... she's different I suppose." Trunks joined his Father, picking up the other controller, and accepting Vegeta's silent challenge.

"From Rune?" Vegeta never looked away from the screen, just continually worked the buttons on the controller, sending Trunks' character plummeting to it's death in game. "Dammit!" Trunks glared at Vegeta. "Alright, Old man. It's on."

The others had finished eating by the time the two Saiyan Princes finally came down stairs... Chibi Trunks had been sent off to get his bath and Bulma was helping her Father in his lab, leaving only Mrs. Briefs and Kalona in the kitchen. "There they are now... I told you they'd be down as soon as we started putting the food away." Mrs. Briefs teased. "Have a seat both of you."

"Sorry Gram, I have something I have to take care of. I'll grab something on the way back." Trunks smiled apologetically and gave the older woman a quick hug before disappearing out the door.

"Well then, I guess it's dinner for one. What would you like to drink, Vegeta?" Mrs. Briefs asked cheerfully.

"Just give me a beer or two." Vegeta told the woman as he took his place at the table. "Kalona, has Rune said anything else to you since that first night?"

Kalona shifted awkwardly and looked towards the living room. Oh how she wanted to escape... The fact was, Rune had said something to her since. How did Vegeta know? "Nothing more than everyday conversation when we've passed in the halls." That was a lie...

Vegeta narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure?" Kalona nodded her head and he sighed. If she didn't wish to tell him then there wasn't much he could do. Hopefully Trunks would be able to handle the problem from his end...

A/N: Sorry for yet another delay... I'm just going to stop saying I will post the next chapter quickly as it seems that never happens. Just know that I have every intention of continuing this story and I will try my best to shorten the length of time between chapters. I am spending more time writing again, so hopefully I can get the updates out faster. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter.

~Writer'sFantasy, first off, Happy Belated Birthday chica... I hope you had a great one :) I'm glad you liked the last chappy, and yay for cake and milkshakes woot! :D

~LilLaoRyo704, heh... a nice large steaming cup of Dr. Briefs extra special cappuccino coming right up. ;)

~Ghost42, have they released you yet? I told them you didn't try to harm me, but they just weren't listening... they even took me into protective custody for over a dang month to be sure you didn't have a partner on the outside that would come after me... lol :p

~buttersrotch 12, thank you. The Fx thing simply stands for effects, (ie. Sound effects). ;)

~Amsim, thank you so much... sorry for the delay.

~TeeLee123, no biggie. I had no idea myself when I first heard it used... yes I said heard it lol. I had to think about it a little bit before it dinged for me. Lol. Yes they pretty much felt that spark from the start... :)

~Miraiflowerhairedprincess, thank you, hope you enjoyed this chappy. :)

~ Also, thank you so much, Dckoz for adding this story as a favorite. :-)

Apologies if I missed anyone. :)