Update: So, so very sorry for the long wait! I had some family matter and school to deal with, however, now that all that has blown over, I'm back and ready to write! I also have more experience with writing and will, hopefully, have better grammar and have the characters act like themselves. Although, this story is meant to bring out the softer side of Vegeta, which shows when he defends Bulma in the Battle of Gods movie. (Which I love!) He's questioning himself and has to make a decision. Now, to continue where Chapter 7 left off.

Vegeta's Decision Chapter 8

Confession

Vegeta noticed Trunks starting to tear up. What in the world was he witness to anyway? He thought. Vegeta didn't know where to start when explaining Frieza however, he could tell Trunks was desperate to know. "Fine," he agreed. "What do you know about Frieza?"

Trunks calmed himself, and explained, "My mother did not tell me much about him. She just said that he was a cruel but powerful tyrant that hadn't a problem with killing innocents." Trunks looked down, recalling the petrifying feeling he'd gotten when Frieza slayed his father in his dream.

Vegeta sighed, He knows nothing of just how cruel Frieza was. Although, back then, I wasn't much different, he thought to himself. "And she has told you nothing of the monster I was in the past?" Vegeta said, staring at his future son.

Trunks looked up innocently, slightly shocked at his question. "W-what do you mean, 'monster' that you were in the past, father? Just being cold and distant doesn't make you a monster." Trunks returned his father's gaze.

Vegeta laughed halfheartedly, oh how naive his son was. He could recall the countless of innocents he'd slain, even from before Android #13 showed up for a second time. "Trunks you really don't know anything about my past. I guess it's story time then," He looked down, hesitant to tell his son his sins of the past. "You know of the proud saiyan race, correct?"

Trunks nodded. "That would be you, Goku, Gohan, and me." Trunks said, triumphantly.

"Mhm... Yes, but technically you and Gohan are an earthling/saiyan hybrid. And there was once a whole planet of us saiyans." He said, recalling the once beautiful Planet Vegeta. "However, that's where Frieza comes in." Vegeta grimly continued, "The saiyans were enslaved and when they tried to rebel, Frieza destroyed them. Destroyed them all and the planet with a single blast. I heard from my... 'comrade' that Frieza killed my father, The King of all saiyans, personally. During this event I was, on board his ship, training. Then I was told the next day that a 'meteor' destroyed Planet Vegeta and that Nappa, Raditz, and a few others including myself were the last remaining saiyans." Vegeta, snapping out of his memories, then focused on his son, who was intently listening.

Trunks, trying to understand, asked, "So you worked for Frieza?"

Answering his question, Vegeta said, "Yes, the other saiyans and I conquered planets in the name of Lord Frieza." He scowled at having to call him 'Lord' Frieza. "I spent my life under his rule. I slaughtered millions of innocents when conquering planets."

Trunks tried to defend his father from the description he gave himself, "That doesn't make you a monster! It's not your fault you were forced to kill-"

Vegeta interrupted him, "And I enjoyed it."

Trunks had a shocked look on his face and did not continue speaking.

Vegeta continued, "After being defeated by Kakarot on my first arrival to Earth, I learned about the Dragon Balls and how they could be found on Namek. I was sick of being a slave and treated like dirt so I decided to heal and pay Namek a visit to wish for immortality. Then, I figured, I'd be an unstoppable force and be able overthrow Frieza." He looked up at his son once again, no reaction from him. "As you probably know, that trek didn't go too well. I tried to face him, tried to exact my revenge by finally defeating Frieza, the tyrant that tortured me all my life... But I wasn't strong enough. I was killed by the very same hand that spared me once, and not in mercy either. Kakarot managed to defeat him, everyone who died was brought back to life and sent back to Earth, including me. And that's what happened at Namek." Vegeta finished.

Trunks remained silent.

Father was a monster... But here he is now, with a family... And Frieza... I didn't know... Trunks thought silently to himself, trying to comprehend his father's tale. Oh no, I must've brought up terrible memories! He suddenly thought as he pulled himself out of this head. "Father, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." He apologized.

Vegeta shrugged and said, "No reason to apologize, boy, that's how it happened in the past. There's no need to sugarcoat it."

Trunks sat there awkwardly for a few seconds before getting up to leave.

Vegeta suddenly stopped him, "Wait," he shakily held out his injured arm.

Trunks stopped without turning around to face his father.

From behind him, "Does this change your opinion of me? Do you also think I'm a cold, heartless monster just as Frieza was?" He asked without emotion.

Trunks contemplated the inquiry. He's done horrible things in the past... But he's changed now, given a second chance by my mother. This shows by his efforts to protect both me and my mother. Finally, Trunks replied, "You're nothing like Frieza, father."

Vegeta only said, "Hmph, good. Wouldn't want you to fear me, now would we? Now, leave me to sleep."

Trunks smiled and left his father's room.

Bulma had been listening in on their conversation, Vegeta could sense that much. Her reaction, however, was left unknown to him. A minute or two after Trunks left, Bulma slid inside the room, thinking he was asleep. "You must have heard all of what I said," Vegeta called out to her, not opening his eyes.

"Yeah... I sort of heard everything you said..." She confessed. "Was all of that true, Vegeta?"

Vegeta opened his eyes and only sternly gazed at her in response.

"I'm guessing that's a yes." Bulma noted.

"I have no reason to lie." He said coolly.

"No, the past is the past. No need to sugarcoat it." Bulma quoted him.

"Hmph." He looked away from her gaze. "I suppose you're shocked to learn of my past. Although, you already know about how I was and may still be."

Bulma dared to get closer and sat on the bed. "I don't care about the past. I know you're not how you were before, you've proved that to me more than once already."

I... She accepts me? Does my past not bother her? Becoming frustrated, he said, "How do my actions from before not bother you people?!"

She sighed. "It's not that it doesn't bother me, I know that you've done horrible things in the past. But I also know you're different now, I know I can trust you to defend not only me, but also our son."

Vegeta was silent for a few seconds before saying, "And what if those times were a one time happening? How do you know I won't go back to my old ways?"

Bulma smiled, and stood up. "Go ahead, prove me wrong, tough-guy." She proceeded to leave.

Vegeta remained silent as he watched her leave. He sighed tiredly as he drifted off to sleep. Surely, his rest will be peaceful.

That's the end of the new chapter, if it's a bit short, I apologize. Tell me what you think about it or what's wrong with it and I'll take your suggestion into consideration. Thanks for reading!