Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Time's Lessons Learned ❯ Future Trunks Time ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ, Akira Toriyama does. This fanfiction means no harm to the anime or manga. This idea is based on the doujinshi Our Time written by Dragon Sisters: Manya and Minea, which wasn't written or drawn by me. I'm borrowing the ideas for this fan fiction and I'm attempting to fill in the missing pieces that happen before, during and after it.

 

Author note: thanks to Lord Truhania for his help writing this story!

 

 

Breakfast at Capsule:

 

Waking up in a bedroom with familiar surroundings seemed routine enough, but Future Trunks still felt a bit out of place. His sword leaned against the wall of the guestroom he occupied, next to a chair where his clothes were neatly folded. A duffel bag with other personal items sat next to that, opposite the double bed he occupied.

 

Something else became apparent though as Trunks opened his eyes. Something tenting the blankets up a bit as a great deal of his blood flowed south erecting it. Thoughts of Gohan still swarmed in his brain, and Trunks slid his hand under the sheets to quickly take care of business. He hesitated though, realizing the shower would be a much nicer place, and easier to keep clean to 'take care of business'.

 

A few minutes later he watched the results of his ardor spin down the drain with soapsuds. While it was nice to prime himself for what was hopefully to become reality from his dreams, he needed to think of other matters. Namely, what sort of a life he would make for himself in this time.

 

With a towel hitched around his waist, Future Trunks almost bumped into the doorway rubbing his head dry with another flipped over his face. He stopped in front of the mirror, and then dropped the wet towel into the nearby clothes chute. Although he could rely on the bots, something about personal responsibility overruled convenience. Amidst the clothes, he rifled through his hand brushed past soft silk. Trunks reached in and lifted out the carefully preserved keepsake. Lifting it to his nose, he inhaled the essence of Gohan himself. Only a few more days, Trunks told himself, and they'd be reunited.

 

He dragged the comb through wet strands of lavender hair. Carefully he used the tip of the comb's handle to draw a part down the middle, and combed each slick half to either side. A strategically wrapped highbred later and he was ready to trot downstairs. Exiting the room, he easily made his way through the corridors to the first landing, remembering each step. Even though it had been years since he was last living at Capsule.

 

Much had changed, while much remained the same. Rounding the stairs on the way down he glanced up at the newly installed crystal chandeliers in the great staircase. Across it on the far wall, he saw what appeared to be new paintings, done by some modern artist. Other touches such as the sitting room furnishings were updated, while the sounds coming from the kitchen were quite familiar. He could hear his Grandmother singing along to the radio, joined by the sounds of laughter and two other people asking for their various orders.

 

Striding into the kitchen, he saw his mother with her back facing him, tossing fruit into what looked like a blender. Before the stove, Mrs. Briefs flipped pancakes into an old-fashioned skillet, before tipping them out onto the ever-increasing stacks to her left on the counter. Already seated in the breakfast nook, Dr. Briefs rustled his paper. To his immediate left Kid Trunks reached across to grab the box of sugar-laden cereal stacked near the all bran and frosted wheat twigs. Future Trunks strode in, wondering if he should pitch in and help.

 

"Good morning Trunks! You're just in time for coffee. I'm starting another pot," Bulma greeted him. She pressed a kiss to his cheek, and left him dumbfounded to see his mother wearing an apron with hair as short as his younger self does.

 

From the table Kid Trunks rushed, reaching up to grab his sleeve. Tugging on it he said, "Nii-san! You'd better hurry up before we eat it all. You can sit next to me!"

 

"Thanks, Chibi," Future Trunks chuckled, letting himself be dragged to the table by the enthusiastic seven-year-old. Soon he sat down next to the excited half Saiyan, and reached for his napkin. It was nicely rolled around the silverware, requiring him to undo it before putting it on his lap.

 

"Would you like banana or blueberry pancakes, boys?" Bulma asked.

 

"Um... yes Mama," Future Trunks said. "Blueberry?"

 

"Banana, Momma!" Kid Trunks raised his hand. He then grabbed the cereal box and dumped a heap into a large bowl in the plate before him.

 

"Coffee dear?" Mrs. Briefs asked, fluttering about the table like a hummingbird at a feeder. Expertly she tipped the coffeepot at such an angle that she managed to pour into each cup without spilling a drop. Odd, thought Trunks, how she never seemed to get older. Perhaps the miracles of modern plastic surgery, or something else he'd rather not worry too much about.

 

Kid Trunks plunked a half-empty box before him. "There, Nii-san I left you some if you want the rest... Mom's always telling me not to hog it..."

 

"You could have offered it to him before, sweetie," Bulma mildly scolded him. She pulled out her own chair and settled down in her place opposite her son.

 

Another chair sat empty, without a place setting before it, indicating where Vegeta would normally be. Mrs. Briefs didn't sit down in the chair at the foot of the table until she had piled heaping stacks of pancakes before both half Saiyans. Future Trunks navigated through the maze of bottles to grab the syrup and douse his half-eaten stack along with the butter sliding down it. He took small bites strategically cut with the silverware and just enjoyed the din of conversation going on around him.

 

"Do you see Gohan at all, Chibi?" Future Trunks happened to ask.

 

"Used to a lot more. But he's so busy studying nowadays that I mainly hang with Goten," Kid Trunk said through a mouthful of butter and syrup.

 

"The young man's so busy at high school he doesn't even date, poor thing," Mrs. Briefs commented. Suddenly Future Trunks wheezed and coughed on his own mouthful until Kid Trunks slammed him in the back to dislodge it.

 

"You okay?" asked Bulma concerned, leaning across the table.

 

"I'm f... fine," Future Trunks got out, his face beet red. He glanced gratefully at his younger self who was shaking his head incredulously.

 

"If that wasn't so scary I'd say it was cool how red your face looked there," Kid Trunks said. "But you'd better slow down or Mommy will be wearing it!"

 

"Young Gohan-san has quite an aptitude for Science. Always has," Dr. Briefs commented from behind his paper. The cat sitting on his shoulder yawned and stretched. Reaching down it dipped its paw daintily in the nearby glass of milk and licked it clean.

 

"Nose in the books huh? Has he been like that after I left last time?" Future Trunks asked. He swallowed a mouthful of bitter coffee, sweetened with half-and-half to wash down the mouthful that nearly choked him.

 

"That was a million years ago, are you kidding," Kid Trunks mumbled, rolling his eyes.

 

"I forgot anything about us adults makes us ancient," Bulma chuckled, smiling knowingly at Future Trunks. He hid his own smile behind his cup and then lowered it. Immediately Mrs. Briefs reached over to top it off from the nearby glass carafe.

 

"Well Gohan's been going to Orange Star High for the last few years now. He's a senior," Bulma announced.

 

"Yeah, busy hanging out with the other big kids instead of Goten and me. But he does sometimes come over to play video games. I still have to beat him in Vampire Hunter D part 3," Kid Trunks added. "He's asking to get his butt kicked."

 

"Are you kidding, Chibi? I used to play that game, but it was version 2," said Future Trunks with an amused smile.

 

"No way, you play video games, Nii-san? But Mom said your world was all busted up," Kid Trunks began.

 

"Well they've rebuilt it since then, kiddo," Bulma glared at her younger son. "I mean that's what you've told me, right Trunks?"

 

"This is going to take some getting used to!" Mrs. Briefs glanced back and forth in confusion. "Two handsome young men by the same name... we're going to have to chase the girls off with a stick!"

 

"Girls, give me a break," Kid Trunks made a face.

 

"Remember all seven year olds think girls have cooties," Bulma leaned over and whispered to her mother.

 

"Ohh my that's true," whispered Mrs. Briefs back.

 

"Well, what do you do with Gohan? I mean when you hang out, Chibi?" Future Trunks asked his younger self.

 

"He sometimes takes me and Goten to the amusement park. Dad's sometimes too busy to do that. Unless he's using it to bribe me to get in a good punch," Kid Trunks explained. "Gohan took Goten and me to the Satan City carnival a few months back and we all got to ride on the Gravinator. Never mind that it only goes to ten times and my dad's GR goes to a thousand."

 

"Gravinator?" Future Trunks hiked a brow. "The one that has the floor that drops out and it spins around and presses you to the walls?"

 

"That's it," Kid Trunks nodded. "All the other weaklings couldn't even stand up, but I did, and Goten did and Gohan nearly had a stroke. You should have seen his face! Hey, that reminds me Papa was gonna take me to see a movie this week, but you think Gohan could since Papa's not back from training yet?"

 

"I could take you, kiddo," Bulma said.

 

"Grandfather and I would be happy too…" started Mrs. Briefs.

 

"We would? But dear, you and I have that board of director's meeting!" Dr. Briefs reminded her.

 

"I could call Gohan's mother and ask. But I think he's starting the new semester a week from now. And if I know Chichi she's probably having him get in some last minute cramming before the semester break is over," Bulma tapped her chin.

 

"Oh man, Gohan-san does nothing but study. Man what a square," Kid Trunks grumbled.

 

"Maybe you could take him?" Bulma leaned over and looked at Future Trunks.

 

"Sure, why not," Future Trunks smiled. "I'd hate to have you miss Shark King in the Fourth Dimension."

 

"You will Nii-san, really? Sugoi! But maybe Goten-kun is gonna want to come too…"

 

"I think just the two of you would be a nice change of pace. Remember that Goten was visiting his grandpa Gyu Mao for a week," Bulma pointed out.

 

"Man I forgot. Jeez," mumbled Trunks. He brightened up though as Future Trunks nudged him.

 

"Maybe after that we can spar like you suggested. I remember you claiming you could 'kick my butt'. You should show me the moves your Papa taught you," Future Trunks laughed.

 

"And some more of my own," Kid Trunks laughed enthusiastically.

 

“Oh boy, here we go,” Dr. Briefs murmured, reaching for his coffee. “Just when you thought it was safe to retire…”

 

“Darling isn't this sweet?” Mrs. Briefs cooed. “Just like real brothers!”

 

 

 

“Not to change the subject, but I was wondering what your plans were for the moment Trunks?” asked Bulma. Now Future Trunks felt her expectant eyes resting on him, and he felt temporarily unable to answer. How could he admit in front of everyone else the true reason for his quest here? A reason that had burned brightly in his heart and soul like a beacon through the lonely yet productive years of reconstruction? Especially in front of his younger self who might get his heart broken from a possible attraction to the object of Future Trunk's affections? If some constants held true, Kid Trunks could give him some serious competition for Gohan's interest when he grew to be a teenager. Fortunately, his younger self gave him a welcomed breathing space that next moment.

 

“What kind of a question is that, Mom?” Kid Trunks asked, rolling his eyes. “Of course he's staying with us, right?”

 

“At least for a while, till I get settled in,” Future Trunks reassured him. “And decide where I'm going to get a job.”

 

“You're always welcome to join Capsule, young man,” Dr. Briefs lowered his paper and smiled fondly at his elder grandson. “Bulma will need a new President one of these days when she takes my place as CEO of the corporation.”

 

“Well I don't know about that,” Future Trunks blushed mildly, glancing around the table as all eyes fell on him. “I was thinking of working my way up from the bottom. I don't really want any special treatment right off the bat…”

 

“I understand,” Bulma said. “Well you can always get a job in R and D, or in the business department. I could speak to the manager…”

 

“Mamma, why does he have to worry?” Kid Trunks pulled a face at her. “We're so rich he doesn't need to work…”

 

“I'd much rather have a job though, Chibi. There's nothing as satisfying… almost nothing as satisfying as a good hard day's work followed by a good hard session of fun,” Future Trunks reached over and ruffled Kid Trunks hair.

 

“Says you. You're sounding like just another grown up,” the younger demi winced.

 

“Maybe so, but I need something to keep me busy since we can't fight all the time,” said Future Trunks. “But I would really prefer working outside Capsule, just to see what things are like on my own. I've spent all my life under the dome; I don't think it would hurt to see what this world's like…”

 

“Don't tell me you're going away just when you've got here, oh my!” Mrs. Briefs lamented. She grasped her napkin and began to dab at her mascara that started to run in black trails at the corners of her eyes.

 

“No, that's not what he means, Mother,” Bulma patted her mother's hand as the blonde-haired woman fanned herself and tears leaked down her cheeks. “He needs a bit of a break and I think I might have a possible idea… of why.”

 

“Actually, you said Gohan was studying a lot, didn't you, chibi?” asked Trunks.

 

“That's right Nii-san. Maybe you could drag him out and get him to play with us again?” Kid Trunks nudged his arm.

 

“Um well, actually I had always wondered what it was like to teach school. You mentioning studying gave me an idea. But the only problem is where,” Future Trunks tapped his lip.

 

Bulma's own mind began to spin with the possibilities. Indeed her own crystal blue eyes twinkled as brightly as her older future son's did. “Wait a minute; I might know some people who could get you a job teaching. The only problem is it will take some time to find a placement, and there's always making up background documents…”

 

“That's right. I only have a Capsule Corps ID card from last time. I don't exactly exist here… on paper,” Future Trunks mumbled from behind his coffee mug. After he set it down, Kid Trunks picked up the cup and took a sip. He promptly pulled a face and spat the beverage into his napkin.

 

“Ugh, how can you grownups DRINK this stuff? It's gross, Nii-san,” he complained.

 

“It's coffee. Another crazy thing grownups like. I only drink it to put them off guard,” Future Trunks whispered at his younger self.

 

“Oh yeah…” he whispered back, seeing the playful gleam in the older demi's eyes. It never hurt to play the game of young boys, helping feed the conspiracy theory that adults were crazy and kids were really the only ones who made sense. At least until Kid Trunks grew old enough to no longer care about clinging to his childhood in fear of growing up and `selling out'.

 

“That's child's play,” Bulma snapped her fingers.

 

“What, who?” Future Trunks and Kid Trunks asked together, their young and old voices blending into an odd harmony. Both aware of the synchronization they blinked at one another and started to chuckle.

 

“Isn't that too cute,” Mrs. Briefs whispered to her daughter.

 

Bulma ignored her and continued, “I'll get some of my people onto it. You'll probably want to get a driver's license once we get some papers drawn up… so you're officially in the company database… and nobody will ask any silly questions.”

 

“I'll handle that, Princess,” Dr. Briefs volunteered. “You research a job for the young man. Not to worry, sonny, you'll fit right in. But I do wish you'd reconsider working for the family business?”

 

“You want to teach? Are you nuts, Ni-san?” Kid Trunks blinked at him, horrified. “Why?”

 

“Not to worry, Chibi. I'm not going over to the side of the enemy. Just an experiment I've wanted to try,” said Future Trunks, his eyes taking on a mysterious gleam. “And it might just work to getting Gohan out of those books…”

 

“Oh yeah, a secret plan huh?” Kid trunks whispered excitedly. “Count me in.”

 

“Now don't get any silly ideas, kiddo. He's just trying to make a life for himself. It doesn't' mean he's going to ditch us,” Bulma cautioned her younger son.

 

“You're no fun, Mamma,” Kid Trunks glared at her sulkily. Again Future Trunks remembered how annoying adults could be, and felt jealous for how fortunate his younger self was. Kid Trunks would never be deprived of the magical journey from childhood to teen hood, free of the constant horror of androids and death lurking around the corner. Already it was apparent that he was a far different Trunks because of his surroundings. It reminded Future Trunks that Gohan was indeed a different creation, forged from the new changes in the current timeline. He had to be careful not to have any unrealistic expectations for a relationship with his long desired.

 

Yet could a version of him spoiled by attention and having all he could ever want be any sort of a warrior. Yes, Kid Trunks had many things he didn't, but he didn't have a mentor like Future Gohan. Nevertheless he had a relationship with his father from birth that Trunks himself never possessed. He couldn't afford to be jealous of the younger demi's life circumstances. They were both separate individuals, the products of their own times with different destinies. Unfortunately or fortunately so were both versions of Gohan. His Gohan had died a hero, in a tragic death, something that this Trunks would never have. That alone quelled any future notions of envy in Future Trunks heart.