Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ THE TRUNKS AND ALANNA SAGA ❯ The Tournament, The Date ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter Four

"The Tournament. The Date."

Damn him! How dare he! Well, we'll see about this, won't we? Vegeta smirked evilly as he watched. No, he wasn't going to get away with this. Vegeta turned and stalked down the hall, tail curling and uncurling at his heels, evilly, lazily almost. He had to act quickly, though, Saturday was the next day. One thing he was sure of, there would be no date tomorrow.

Trunks sat at the table, scarfing down a mountainous breakfast.

Alanna sauntered in, yawning and rubbing sleep from her eyes. Trunks nearly tripped over his chair in his effort to go greet her. He grinned sheepishly and pulled her chair out for her. Alanna smiled gratefully as she sat and Trunks pushed a plate of food towards her and resumed shoveling. Alanna was shocked for a moment at the way he piled food into his mouth, then reasoned that since he was a fighter, he needed lots of energy and so, tons of food. She wondered how long it would take him to eat one meal if he ate slowly. She shook her head and started on her comparatively small portion. She explained her theory as she did so, and asked him if she was right.

Trunks nodded. "Mhm, mhm." He swallowed. "Right on the mark." He said with a wink.

Alanna noticed that it wasn't as though he was a pig; he didn't get food all over everything. She guessed he needed to actually eat all the food he could.

They finished at about the same time, Alanna by pushing her plate away and Trunks by leaning back and patting his stomach appreciatively.

Vegeta's frown deepened. He was watching, as usual, but his son's almost childish attempts to be a gentleman were truly pathetic. He smirked then, remembering what he was there to do. He strolled into the room, casual, cat-like, dressed in simple leather pants and a tank top, both black. He also wore black boots.

Trunks stood as he entered, wary. He looked his father up and down, fists clenching. "What?" Trunks asked tersely. Alanna glanced from father to son, wondering why there was a sudden increase in the tension between them. She moved slightly behind Trunks. She didn't like the way Vegeta was looking at her, with eyes narrowed and a deep scowl. Trunks put an arm back, across her, protectively. One corner of Vegeta's lip curled up in a sneer.

"There's a tournament being held today." He smirked. "I took the liberty of entering you. We leave now." He threw a bag at Trunks, which, Alanna knew, contained his fighting uniform. She had never seen it, though. She knew his official registration number was 667, one after his father's. She knew Vegeta had requested his number to be that of the beast (666), but she also knew that Trunks' had been chosen completely at random. She found Trunks' number to be very ironic, as though to say he was the son of the beast. Also, it ended with a lucky seven.

Alanna watched Trunks' face tense with anger and his hands tighten on the straps of his bag as Vegeta moved off down the hall, gesturing for Trunks to follow. Trunks growled. "He knew we were supposed to go out today! Now there won't be time." His expression fell to one of sadness.

Alanna put a hand on his cheek. "He won't ruin this for us. Watching you fight is more than enough, and maybe we could get something to eat later! Come on, Trunks, don't let that ass get you down!"

Trunks smiled weakly. "Alright." He put an arm about her waist loosely. "Let's go."

Vegeta was waiting on the front lawn. He showed no reaction, but Trunks could tell he was seething at the failure of his plan. Maybe this would be fun after all. "Coming, Dad?" Trunks asked innocently. Vegeta grunted and leapt into the air, heading for the local stadium. Trunks chuckled, tightened his grip on Alanna, and followed.

Alanna looked down at the ground rushing past and clung to Trunks. He patted her head and caught up with Vegeta. He wondered why, because he would never have been able to if Vegeta hadn't slowed down. They looked at each other a moment, then Vegeta glanced down at Alanna and growled. She tried to hide in Trunks' jacket. Trunks glared at his father and scowled, then sped up, flying ahead and reaching the stadium first.

"Want to come with me?" He asked, gesturing to the change area. Alanna shrugged. "Alright."

They had just disappeared inside when Vegeta landed. He was almost blinded with rage. He stomped after them and stood behind Trunks. Alanna squeaked and hid in Trunks' chest. Trunks put a hand on the back of her head and drew her close. Vegeta growled and hissed in Trunks' ear, "you disobey me, boy." He glared down at Alanna a moment. "Unwise. This is a test." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Do not fail." Vegeta turned and left.

Alanna was trembling. Trunks held her closer and petted her hair. "Shh, it's alright. He won't hurt you, not ever. I promise you. On my life, I swear it. I'll protect you...always." Alanna looked up at him, blinking back tears. She felt something soft wiping her cheeks before the tears could fall: his tail. She stroked it with two fingers and he purred quietly. Alanna paused. "Trunks...what are you doing?"

He turned bright pink. "Um...purring. Want me to stop?"

Alanna shook her head, laughing. "Naw, it's alright."

A series of notes blared over the PA system. Trunks looked up at the speaker. "That's the ten minute call, guess I'd better get ready." He opened his bag and took out a card numbered 667 and slid it into the clear box on the closest locker. He opened it and took out his lock, hanging it, open, nearby. He pulled out some neatly folded clothes. "Um are you going to..." Trunks made little circles with his finger. Alanna was confused for a moment, then understood. "Oh, yeah, sure, sorry." She turned around quickly.

Alanna heard Trunks rustling about. After a minute, he said "okay, all done." She turned back to him and her jaw dropped.

Trunks turned his usual bright red. "So," he asked, "what do you think?" Alanna's mouth worked soundlessly as Trunks did a little spin. Trunks extended a finger and closed her mouth. She swallowed once, eyes wide. She had a good reason, this was an insanely awesome outfit and he looked hotter than ever! She looked Trunks up and down, admiring his black combat boots, black leather pants with realistic flames climbing up the sides and a black vest with silver designs on it and, in gold, 667 on the back. The vest didn't close up at all and it obviously wasn't intended to. What Alanna noticed most, though, was that he had no shirt on underneath. He picked up his gloves, which had the fingers cut off and had weird silver designs on them, which looked like symbols. Trunks noticed her looking at them and said, "power and majesty in Saiyan. Father taught me..." He cast his eyes down. Alanna realized then that he really did love that heartless bastard and was obviously starved for affection.

"Well, come on." Trunks said after a moment, and sent Alanna on her way to her front row seat. Trunks walked onto the field with all the fighters as they warmed up. Some of them sparred, but Trunks kept to himself, taking great care to show none of his power beforehand. Vegeta was nowhere to be seen, but Trunks was sure he was watching; he could feel his glare. Trunks shivered slightly and took his place on the sidelines as the tournament began.

When his number was called, Trunks was surprised to see how weak the competition was. At first, he thought Vegeta was mocking him, but then he realized Vegeta probably didn't know it was going to be this easy. Trunks ploughed through the combatants to the final round.

His opponent was a brown hare-man with a pretty impressive power level and technique, but he was no match for Trunks, who went easy on him and won with a ring out instead of a swift K.O.

Afterward, hand shook paw and Trunks told him he saw great potential and to keep at it. The stadium erupted in applause and cheering as Trunks took a bow. He was presented with his medal and Alanna leapt the rail and fairly flew onto the field, jumping up to latch around Trunks with all fives. Trunks looked startled, blinking rapidly, then he patted her head. He didn't point out that her tail was wrapped around him. She obviously didn't know that it meant she wanted to be with him forever.

Alanna didn't point out that Trunks obviously didn't know that what she was doing meant she wasn't to be with him forever. She snuggled into Trunks' neck and hugged him tightly, tears of pride and joy spilling over her cheeks. Trunks petted her hair and back as the cheering continued from the stands. "It's alright...Snook. Don't cry, it wasn't that hard." He laughed quietly. Alanna looked up at him. Trunks started to get nervous after a moment; she was just staring at him. "What?" He asked timidly.

Alanna blinked slowly. "What did you call me?" She asked.

"I said...Snook...why?" Trunks was getting a little freaked out.

"Snook..." Alanna looked thoughtful. "Snook...Snook...I like it! Can I be Snook?"

Trunks blinked rapidly, confused. Each nickname seemed a struggle to think of, it struck him as odd that the one name that didn't even take a conscious thought would be the right one. But then, maybe that was why it was the right one. "Okay...Snook." Trunks grinned and looked around. People were starting to filter out of the stadium. He scooped Alanna back up and padded to the change room, opening his locker and setting Alanna on the bench nearby. She looked up at the ceiling as he got changed, then watched him intently, just because she loved to, as he gathered his things.

Trunks stuffed his clothes, lock, and numbers into his bag. Alanna rose and stretched. "So, Trunks, how about that dinner?"

Trunks smiled. "Sure." He paused, his grin fading.

"What is it, Trunks?"

His eyes flicked from side to side. Alanna moved closer to him, clinging to his jacket nervously. Trunks started to growl, wrapping around Alanna protectively. He turned to the left slightly, eyes narrowing at the figure in the doorway. Vegeta. Trunks put his nose in the air slightly; Vegeta hadn't managed to ruin the day after all. Trunks looked at Vegeta. Vegeta looked back at Trunks. Their gazes locked, one ablaze in anger, the other cold, relentless and uncaring. Trunks growled again. Vegeta turned and left without a word.

"Hmph." Trunks grunted and scooped Alanna up. "Come on, I'm starving."

Trunks and Alanna walked around a little once in town, and finally settled on a semi-fancy Italian restaurant. Alanna offered to pay for her share but Trunks would hear none of it. Little did Alanna know, Trunks was more than loaded. Finally, she had to give up and let him have his way. "You know, Trunks," she remarked as Trunks led her by the arm out onto the street, "you're every bit as stubborn as I am."

Trunks grinned. "You betcha." He drew himself up proudly, then paused, unsure. "Uh...is that a good thing?" He thought a while. Alanna waited for him to answer his own question.

"Uh...sure, we'll call it a good thing."

Alanna shrugged, obviously it meant no nevermind to her. Trunks escorted her home, not bothering to fly as the longer it took to get home, the longer this night would last. Tentatively, he took her hand in his. Alanna smiled at him, and some of his anxiety was lifted.

All too soon, the main building of CC loomed up before them. Trunks stayed with Alanna until she reached the door of her room. They said goodnight, but then Trunks said, "wait!"

Alanna started, wondering what it could be. "What, Trunks?" She asked.

Trunks looked thoughtful, staring into space.

"Hellooooo, Earth to Trunks! HEY!" Alanna waved a hand in front of his face. "Huh?" He snapped awake. "Sorry, I was just thinking...I'd like to give you something to remember this night by." He looked slightly disheartened because he didn't have anything to give her.

"Don't worry, Trunks, I'll remember tonight no matter what." She smiled.

Trunks smiled back, but it was a weak, sad smile. "Hey, I know!" He exclaimed suddenly. He reached under his shirt collar and pulled the medal from around his neck, placing it in her hand.

"Oh Trunks, I can't take this! It's yours!"

Trunks shook his head. "It belongs to you now." He closed her hand firmly around it. It felt warm from being next to him.

Alanna sighed. "You're too much, Trunks, you know that?"

He grinned. "Off to bed, go on." He gave Alanna a little shove towards her room. She said goodnight again and closed the door, hanging the medal on the wall, then curling up to sleep.

Trunks stood there a while, thinking of Alanna. He sighed and turned, retreating to the peace of his own room, a place Vegeta had never visited. He curled up under the blankets and was soon asleep.

Vegeta stood in the doorway, watching Trunks. He felt his anger fading as he looked at his son. He saw all the courage, determination and pride in him that he saw when he looked in the mirror. He also saw rare qualities, that flame of passion for all things loved, cunning, intelligence and wit, and a flare of defiance. Trunks was obviously born to outdo him. It made Vegeta feel too old, too worn down, too useless. He didn't like it, especially since he was not old. He scowled. What right did Trunks have to make him feel this way? He took a step into the room, watching Trunks sleep. He was startled by a fuzzy feeling rising within him, like ice melting. It frightened him. Vegeta turned and left quickly.