Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ New Beginnings ❯ Nightmares ( Chapter 3 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Mirai Trunks awoke shivering. He remained as still as possible as his eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. The nightmares...more like memories...haunted him.
He curled into a ball on his side and stared at the window. He had been so weak against the fighters, such a disgrace. He squeezed his eyes shut.
What a failure.... He had watched helplessly as his mother was murdered. What kind of warrior allowed that to happen?
Trunks felt something slide down his cheek and realized with a start that he was crying again. It hurt. Mother was dead, his world destroyed. There was nothing left he could do.
Even fighting against the androids Mirai Trunks had never felt like such a failure. They had toyed with him and humiliated him on numerous occasions but he had never been beaten so soundly. He was broken, his confidence shattered.
Mirai Trunks slowly uncurled his body and sat up in the bed. Mirai Trunks pressed his back tot the wall and drew his knees to his chest before wrapping his arms around them. He dropped his face onto his knees and sobbed silently, his misery flooding over him in crushing waves.
Even in this peace filled world he couldn't be happy. He had seen too much in his own world and felt too much pain. Seeing his alter self so happy and carefree.... He had never been like that.
His childhood had been filled with the constant threat of death. He had lost his father before even having a chance to really know him. His friends had all been slaughtered, and Gohan, his master and best friend, had been killed protecting him!
A soft creak brought Mirai Trunks's head up. The door was slowly pushed open to reveal a tired Gohan. Gohan crossed his arms over his chest and slowly stepped into the room.
Large, dark eyes filled with concern roamed over Mirai Trunks's face. Mirai Trunks quickly wiped his face with the back of his hand, banishing the tears of weakness. Suddenly a gentle hand caught his wrist and pulled his hand from his face.
"Mirai Trunks, you don't have to feel embaressed. Sometimes it helps to just let everything out," Gohan said softly as he sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Trust me, I know it does. After Videl...die, I didn't stop crying for weeks. It was not something you could just shrug off."
"I'm sorry."
"No need, Mirai Trunks. Things happen that are out of your control. I've realize that now, and I don't regret anything. So, do you want to talk about it?" Gohan asked.
Mirai Trunks shook his head and glanced away again. His eyes locked on the moon gleaming in the dark sky through the window.
"I'll be fine," Mirai Trunks whispered.
"If you ever want to talk, I'm here. You know that."
The tears were coming back. Mirai Trunks fought them. He would not cry in front of Gohan no matter how much he reminded him of his deceased master. Mirai Gohan had said those same words numerous times to him as a child and then when he reached his early teens.
"Mirai Trunks, you don't deserve anymore sadness," Gohan said softly, reaching out to cup Mirai Trunks's cheek and turning his face so that their eyes met.
Mirai Trunks swallowed hard, stunned by the sincerity in those dark eyes that seemed to hold his so intently.
"Let go, Mirai Trunks. All that guilt inside you is a waste of space. Fill it with happpiness. You did everything you could do. You tried, and that is all that matters. I lived with guilt for years after Cell. I was the reason my dad was killed. I played around and didn't finish Cell off when I had the chance. I failed again when I allowed Buu to absorb Goten and...Chibi Trunks. I wasn't there when they needed me. Sometimes you have to just let go."
Mirai Trunks nodded, the urge to follow his master's advice still strong within him. He glanced down and sighed. Strong arms curled around his shoulders and pulled him close.
"Everything will turn out right. Just wait and see," Gohan continued.
"I hope so."
"It will. I'll call Trunks and Goten in the morning. They can take you shopping for clothes. They won't mind, especially since that means skipping school."
Mirai grinned at that. He himself had been home schooled by his mother, and even that had been quite boring. He yawned into his hand, waeriness filling him.
"You're tired. Try to get some sleep," Gohan whispered and stood.
"Thank you," Mirai Trunks said as Gohan edged towards the door.
Gohan turned back and grinned as he said, "No problem. You're my responsibility now, and I intend to make sure your're all right at all times. Besides, Vegeta would kill me if I didn't help you out."
Mirai Trunks laughed at that and lay back, head resting on the thick pillow once more. Gohan pulled the door closed and stood in the hallway for a moment, thinking.
He would help Mirai Trunks overcome hsi greif. His sadness had been great enough to wake Gohan form his deep sleep, and anyone who knew the Son family knew how hard that was.
Gohan rubbed his temples. If he could just get Mirai Trunks to trust him enough to talk openly wih him he could help Mirai Trunks rebuild his life. Unfortunately Gohan had a feeling that getting the younger man to trust him would be easier said than done. Mirai Trunks had gone through too much in his short life to simply trust someone he hardly knew. He had hidden his emotions and thoughts for too long to simply begin sharing them with Gohan.
Gohan sighed and started toward his bedroom. He would find a way somehow. He felt strangely connected to the young man, even more protective of him than he was of even Goten or Trunks. Mirai Trunks, despite his tough front, was vulnerable and so easily broken.
Gohan slipped into bed. He wouldn't allow Mirai Trunks to drown in guilt. He would find a way to save him.