Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ New Beginnings ❯ A New Home ( Chapter 2 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Mirai Trunks returned downstairs a half hour later feeling more relaxed than he had ever felt before. Bulma was in the kitchen cooking dinner. He could hear muttered curses as he passed the doorway. Vegeta wasn't in the house. His energy could be felt emanating from the gravity room. Trunks and Goten were waiting near the bottom of the stairs for him.
"Hey, I know you're a little bigger than me, but the clothes don't look that bad," Trunks said cheerfully.
Mirai Trunks smiled at his younger half. It was strange seeing himself so happy and innocent. Goten scratched his head as he glanced at Mirai Trunks.
"We thought you would like to come with us. We're going to my house."
Trunks leaned towards Mirai Trunks and whispered in his ear, "Mom can't cook. Chi-Chi should already have dinner almost finished."
"My mom couldn't cook, either. I had to teach myself," Mirai whispered back.
They grinned at each other, blue eyes shining brightly. Goten laughed and tugged on Trunks's arm as his stomach rumbled.
"I think it's time to go," he said, cheeks flushed with color.
Trunks clapped him and the back and led them outside. They took to the air with Trunks and Goten play fighting back and forth. Mirai Trunks laughed and suddenly found himself tackled by the two teens.
"That's not fair!" he exclaimed as the teens twisted his arms behind his back.
"Seems fair from where I'm standing," Trunks said, smirking.
Mirai Trunks suddenly broke free of them and spun around, knocking both boys away. He sped past them chuckling. Both teens recovered and chased after him.
"I think he was holding back on us, Goten! Maybe he really isn't as weak as we thought," Trunks called to his friend.
Mirai Trunks landed outside Goku's house and waited for the teens to catch up. They landed beside him and grinned at him. The front door swung open.
"Goten, where have you been.?" Chi-Chi paused, staring at Mirai Trunks, stunned.
"Hello," he said quietly.
"Mom, is Goten back?" Gohan asked, stepping outside.
He froze, seeing Trunks and Mirai Trunks. He scratched his head, eyes wide. He frowned, puzzled.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Mirai Trunks came back. His world was destroyed," Goten explained so Mirai Trunks wouldn't have to repeat himself once more.
"Destroyed? Oh, wow. I'm sorry. I'm glad you made it back safely," Gohan said, extending a hand to Mirai Trunks.
"Thanks."
"We had to help him back to Capsule Corp. He was pretty beat up. That's why I'm late, Mom," Goten said.
Chi-chi's face softened as she gently caught Mirai Trunks's arm and smiled up at him. Trunks winked at his friend as Goten released a relieved sigh.
"You poor boy. Are you hungry? Come on in and I'll fix you a plate. You know that you're welcomed here whenever you want to come by?"
Gohan stepped to the side so Chi-Chi and Mirai Trunks could move into the house. He glanced at his brother and then Trunks, a thoughtful frown on his face.
"You guys be careful around him. He's in great pain. He must have gone through Hell in his time. I'm surprised he was able to make it back."
"We won't hurt him. I think he needs a little fun to ease his grief," Trunks said, staring at the front door.
"I know I would," he added softly.
"You know, Gohan, he could stay with you," Goten said suddenly.
Gohan whirled, startled, and asked, "What?"
"He could live with you. You could use the help since Videl died. He's going to need his space and I don't think he'll get it with Bra and Bulma following him around Capsule Corp. He could help you with Pan. You work a lot, and she needs someone there when you can't be there," Goten explained.
Gohan was silent for a moment, just watching his brother as he thought over what Goten had suggested. Suddenly small arms were hugging his waist. He glanced down and found Pan staring up at him.
"Daddy, how come there are two Trunks?"
He bent and lifted her into his arms. Gohan placed a quick kiss on his head and replied, "Well, it's kind of difficult to explain. You'll understand when you're older. For now just think of it as a surprise from the future."
"We better go eat before Chi-Chi starts yelling," Trunks said and disappeared into the house.
***
Mirai Trunks hesitantly followed Gohan into the small house. Gohan walked a few steps ahead of him, carrying a sleeping pan in his arms. He nodded towards the living room before disappearing into one of the bedrooms.
Mirai Trunks sat down on the couch and leaned back. He hadn't expected Gohan's offer of his home. He would never have agreed had Gohan not made him feel needed. Videl, Gohan's wife of twelve years, it seemed, had died some seven months ago. Gohan had persuaded him by saying how hard it was taking care of an active pre-teen alone.
Gohan appeared in the doorway and smiled tiredly at Mirai Trunks before taking a seat in a large, over stuffed chair. He leaned back and closed his eyes as he kicked off his shoes.
"It's been a long day, and tomorrow classes resume. Students just don't realize that long breaks are loved by teachers, as well," Gohan murmured, draping an arm over his eyes.
"How long have you been a teacher?" Mirai Trunks asked.
"Going on ten years. It's not that bad."
"I never imagined the Gohan of my time teaching teenagers."
"He didn't have much of a chance to choose, did he?" Gohan asked, looking at Mirai Trunks.
"No, I guess not."
"He taught you."
"Yes, he did. He helped me a lot. Without him I don't think I could ahead made it," Mirai Trunks confessed.
"I don't know about that. You're pretty strong. Do you want to talk about what happened?" Gohan asked softly.
"What's to say? I failed everyone, again."
"Trunks, you place too much blame on yourself. I think it would do you good to talk about it. You can trust me."
"I know I can."
"Well?"
Mirai Trunks leaned forward, arms crossing over his chest. He closed his eyes.
"They just appeared one day and immediately began killing and destroying everything and everyone in their path. I naturally went to fight them. I was going to stop them. There were three of them that day. They.beat me. I thought I was dead but they weren't finished with me. They were intrigued by my powers, I guess.
They left me and continued their rampage. Once I had healed, I fought them again. They beat me again, and this time they dragged me back to their ship. It was like one of Freeza's but more powerful and filled with an entire army. I knew then that I couldn't not, and would not, win. Their leader laughed at me, and told me that when they were through with the planet they would leave and take me with them. He said there was much that I could learn from them and do for them in return."
Mirai Trunks opened his eyes and stared at his hands as he continued, "They were going to make me their slave."
"And then they killed your mother?"
"Yes. I couldn't save her. I tired, even as though I knew it was point less. She begged me to flee, and I was so confused that I obeyed. Gohan, am I a coward for running?" Mirai Trunks asked suddenly.
"No, you're a survivor who had no other choice. You look tired. Why don't you get some rest? There's a guest bedroom down the hall. In the morning I'll get Goten and Trunks to take your shopping. You don't have to feel guilty. This is your home now, and you are not alone."
"Thanks you. I really appreciate how kind you and the others have been to me. Even my father.was loving."
Gohan smiled as he stood, "Yes, Vegeta has changed a great deal. No one will ever hurt you again, not as long as he is around. I've never seen a more protective father."
"Speaking of fathers. Where is Goku?"
"Training. There's some big event coming up, but he won't explain what it is. He'll be back tomorrow."
Mirai Trunks stood and followed Gohan into the guest room. Gohan grabbed some covers from the closet and dropped them onto the bed.
"Good night, Trunks, and welcome back."
"Thanks," Mirai Trunks replied.
Gohan stepped into the hall and closed the door. Mirai Trunks turned towards the bed and picked up the blankets. Home. A new start. A new life with less horror.
Finally feeling at peace, Mirai Trunks spread out the blankets and kicked off his shoes.
He wouldn't remember the last time he had slept without fear. Did he deserve to be happy? He stepped out of his jeans and slid into the bed. Maybe, he decided as he drifted off to sleep.