For our Futures

Hope

Chapter 16

Hope

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Bulma stared out the window, watching for any signs of her son or you. She tried her best to sustain a calm facade but as the hour droned on, all hope began to look grim.

Suddenly, a familiar ivory spark of ki flickered in the distance. This caused the blue-haired woman to inhale a sharp breath while standing abruptly from her seat.

"They're back!" she exclaimed, rushing towards the front door and flinging it open just in time to see you collapse to your knees with Trunks' arm slung over your shoulder.

Your breathing was heavy, fatigue coursing through every fiber of your being. Regardless of your current state, you looked up at Bulma through one eye and managed a tired smile just before everything around you blurred. Having overexerted yourself, you collapsed sideways after losing your grip on Trunks' wrist and falling on one before his other draped over your side.

= = = = = = =

The faint sound of water wringing into a bowl filled with water was the first thing your mind registered before a cool, damp cloth was placed over your forehead. You stirred, preparing your eyelids to lazily lift. A bright, white ceiling was the first thing you saw but after you blinked, you noticed something was off: only one of your eyes could see. Shocked by this new discovery, you brought your hands up to your eyes to rub them only to recoil in pain.

"Careful, you have a nasty bruise."

Slightly startled, you lowered your hands then turned to the sound of a familiar voice, looking around and saw Bulma standing over you, smiling. "Welcome back."

You blinked a few times then stared back up at the ceiling. "Wh-where am I?"

You noticed your voice was weak and a bit horse, suggesting you had been unconscious for at least a day or two.

"Capsule Corp. Do you remember flying here?"

Before you had time to give an answer—or try to recollect—panicked footsteps hastily came to your side.

"Oh thank goodness you're awake!" cried Chichi, embracing you tightly. "I was so worried!"

Not long after that the washcloth peeled off and fell onto the floor beside the bed.

"Ouch!"

Chichi quickly pulled back but continued to gently hold you up by the shoulders. "Oh, I'm so sorry."

She saw you holding your side while offering her a wan smile. "It's okay, Mom. I don't think there's any permanent damage."

Chichi adjusted the pillows and helped you back against them. "Here, keep this pressed against your black eye and drink this," she instructed while handing you a cup of water. You put your lips to the straw and took a swig of the cool, refreshing liquid that traveled down your throat.

Bulma got up and headed towards the door. "Well, I'll be in the next room. So just holler if you need anything."

Before she exited the room you gasped and leaned forward, regretting your actions when a wave of pain gnawed at your muscles. Chichi quickly, yet carefully, grabbed your shoulders before you fell completely forward and helped you to sit back up.