Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Timelines Collide ❯ Reliving Memories ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball. Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT and all of their characters belong to Akira Toriyama and Toei Animation.

 

 

Chapter 2: Reliving Memories

 

“What?!” Trunks asked, astonished. “What do you mean to the past?”

“Exactly what you're thinking,” Bulma answered. “We'll visit your father, your baby self and my beautiful, younger self,” she winked at him.

“Are you serious? You know how risky it is, right?”

“A risk worth taking, Trunks.”

“Uh... wouldn't you rather go somewhere else? Like the beach, or the mountains...”

“You can't convince me otherwise, the decision is made.”

“Mom, I'm sorry but, I think you're not thinking clearl--”

“I think I have the right to use my own creation for once,” she interrupted. “Pack your things and tell me when you're done. We're leaving shortly.”

 

--

 

Bulma was setting the coordinates when she heard Trunks getting onto the time machine next to her.

 

“You ready?”

“...Yes.”

“Well, then. Let's go,” she said, just about to push the buttom that would take them twenty years in the past.
“Wait!” he half shouted.

“What?”

Trunks looked at her seriously. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“I already told you, yes.”

“Don't you think it's going to be... kind of shocking? You know, for you and... your other self, and...”

“Trunks, what's worrying you so much? It will be fine, we're gonna be like... a bigger family, that's all. It can't be much different than when you were there.”

“I don't exactly agree with that, but... I guess I have no choice,” he sighed. “How long are we staying?”

“Uhm... I'm not sure, just a couple days.”

“Uh, you do remember what the day after tomorrow is, right? Just asking.”

“Saturday?” Trunks gasped in disbelief before she showed him a big smile. “Of course I remember, honey. What kind of mother wouldn't?”

He gave her a suspicious look “...Right. It's not like I really care, anyway.”

She chuckled knowing the falseness of his comment. “Sure.”

 

When Bulma moved again towards the keyboard, Trunks didn't stop her. They both remained silent as their presences disappeared from the dimension they knew, entering into one that was lost in space and time. The lights, the colors, the sounds Bulma witnessed in that infinite place made her want to stop right there and then to study all those phenomenons unknown to the world. But she couldn't. She wasn't there for more than a few seconds, and she got out of it as quickly as she got in.

 

--

 

The traffic noise, the children's laughs and the shiny sun made West City scream with life the afternoon Bulma Briefs was reading the newest volume of her favorite science magazine in the front yard of her house. She flipped through the pages, avoiding the articles that didn't have a bit of information she didn't already know. When she found something that was seemingly interesting, a shadow covered the text hindering her from reading. A stupid cloud is blocking the sun, she thought. But when she raised her head she blinked in recognition of the yellow artifact that broke all physical barriers and was no other's but her own invention. Her wide eyes sparkled at the realization that her son from the future was back, despite thinking she wouldn't see him again. She stood up and waited for him to land, but the sight of a second person on board and the unmistakable hint of blue hair suddenly called her attention.

 

“Oh... my... Gosh!” It couldn't be, now could it? Was that woman really who Bulma thought she was?

 

The time machine finally squashed the grass and its occupants emerged from it. They walked up to Bulma. Trunks smiled at her, glad to see her. His mother went slower behind him, carefully observing every inch of her past counterpart, who was reciprocating the gesture.

 

“Hey, mom... long time no see,” Trunks said, happily greeting her.

“Oh...! Hi, Trunks!” she managed to say, still flabbergasted. “I, uh... how've you been...?”

 

Her eyes never left the woman that was approaching her, and Trunks was not unaware of the awkward situation.

 

“I...” he coughed out a nervous laugh. “Uhm, should I really introduce you to each other...?” He turned to his own timeline's mother, as if asking for her permission to talk.

“There's no need, Trunks. I think she knows who I am...” the older lady said, stepping in front of Bulma. “Right?”

“Are you...” she started to ask her. “Are you really...?”

She nodded. “Yes. I'm your self from the future.”

Bulma covered her mouth with her hand, gasping in evident shock. “Gosh, you're really me...!” She looked at Trunks, who was timidly smiling at her, then back at the woman. “I can't believe this...” she said under her breath.

“This is actually very strange for me, too. As if I was in front of a mirror, or something. Although the reflection is pretty much younger...”

A smile started to grow on Bulma's face due to the comment, but she quickly erased it as worry overwhelmed her. “Wait, why are you here...? Is any other menace going to threat us? More androids, or monsters, or--”

“Oh, no, no. Not at all. Everything's fine. Look, I know you might want some explanations, so why don't we all go inside and talk calmly?” the other Bulma offered politely.

“...Alright.” was all she said.

 

They got inside the house and sat on the comfortable indigo couches of the living room. Bulma left her magazine on the table and started to speak.

 

“So... you are... uhm, you are Trunks' mom, right? I mean, this Trunks...”

“Yes, I'm the one who sent him some years ago to this time.”

“You made the time machine,” she half asked, half affirmed.

“That's right.”

 

Bulma still had many questions to ask, she was very intrigued to know more about her new guest, but there was something she really needed to comment on. “...You look so good!”

 

A light hearted laugh echoed in the room, since future Bulma and Trunks hadn't expected that sort of remark.

 

“Why, thank you! I was thinking the same exact thing. Gosh, I was pretty!” the older Bulma said, now very entertained with the conversation.

“Was? You still are. I mean look at you. You're almost identical to me.”

“I am, aren't I? Oh, I didn't think you'd take my arrival so well. I'm so happy we understand each other!”

“Of course, we are the same person.” They both giggled girlishly.

“Oh, no...” Trunks lamented, calling the women's attention. “By now one would think you're done being vain, but it seems like you will never stop.”

“Trunks, you should be glad you have a beautiful mother,” the Bulma from the future reproached him.

“She's right, Trunks. Just listen to her.”

 

Trunks rolled his eyes as he heard some chuckles. Of all the things he'd thought would happen, he hadn't imagined his two mothers would end up flattering each other. He should have known. After all, Bulma was always full of herself. He sighed in relief. At least it wasn't hard for any of them to accept the other. In fact, they were already friends. But would that last?

 

“I love your haircut!” present Bulma complimented the other. Her hair was neck length, freely falling towards her chin. “Do you still go to Stacy's?”

“No, she was killed about ten years ago.”

“Oh, I'm so sorry.”

“It's fine, I soon found a better hairdresser, so...”

“You have to tell me who!” They laughed again.

 

Was it possible? Trunks thought. Were they really more concerned about their haircuts than their hairdresser's life?

 

“Mommy?”

 

A little boy pushed the door open and stuck his head in, his glance wandering round the living room. The older Bulma stood up and placed her hands on her chest, one over the other. Her mouth opened in awe and a smile slowly formed in her lips. That was her baby.

Her sudden movement caused her to be the first person to be noticed by Trunks, who smiled back at her and ran to her arms, innocently mistaking her for his own time's mother. Bulma was surprised at his reaction, but she hugged him tightly, bringing back memories of her first years of maternity, when the strong hero behind her was still an infant.

 

“Trunks, I'm here.”

 

Trunks immediately recognized the voice and rotated his head to the right to see who was calling him. His mother? He looked back at the woman holding him. How could she be in two places at the same time?

 

“Two mommies?” he asked. He broke the embrace and stepped back, almost afraid, but he kept composure and started to contemplate both women, as if trying to find an answer to his confusion.

“I'm sorry,” future Bulma apologized. “I shouldn't have--”

“It's Ok,” the other assured her. “He's your son, too. I know it must be... wonderful, to see him as a child again.” She knelt down and beckoned Trunks over. When he made his way to her, she lifted him up and sat back on the couch with the baby on her lap. “Are you hungry?” she asked him. “Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't offer you anything to eat!” she said to Bulma and Trunks.

“Don't worry, we're fine,” Trunks told her.

Little Trunks pulled from Bulma's clothes to call her attention. “What do you want?” she asked him sweetly.

“I have two mommies?”

“Oh... Well... Uhm, you don't, honey. It's just that...” she shot a glance at her future counterpart. How was she going to explain this to him?

“Trunks, listen,” the older Bulma began to say. “I am your mother.” For some reason the present Bulma didn't like what the other had just told her son, but she kept her mouth shut. “But you have only one. What I mean is we are the same person, but from different worlds. I don't really belong to this place, and I just came to visit you... do you understand?”

He shook his head “No.”

The younger Bulma laughed. “Nevermind, Trunks. What you must know is you'll have two mommies for a couple days and then everything will be back to normal, Ok?”

He nodded in understanding “Ok.”

“Good,” she smiled proudly.

“Who's the boy?” He now was curious about future Trunks, which made Bulma smile wider.

“Oh, he has the most beautiful name ever. Try to guess.”

Little Trunks stood up and walked up to future Trunks to look into his eyes. “Vegeta?” he asked, taking aback everyone else in the room.

“What? No...” Bulma said.

“But you said the most beautiful name... and he looks like daddy.” He didn't know, but his words made his older self feel warm inside and his eyes shone brightly. He looked like his father.

“Vegeta's not a beautiful name, hon,” she told him.

“Speaking of Vegeta... where is he?” future Bulma asked.

“Where do you think...? I barely see him all day. He wakes up and goes to train, he comes out to eat and then he trains again. He eats, he trains, and then he goes to sleep. Well, not exactly to sleep, but he goes to bed at least. That's his routine,” she finished, a little annoyed.

 

The older Trunks felt quite uncomfortable. He didn't really need the last piece of information.

 

“I didn't see the gravity chamber outside.”

“He trains inside the house, now.” Her attention went back to Trunks, who was waiting for an answer. “His name is Trunks, honey. Just like you. And he's your--”

“He's a friend of the family, so he's not necessarily related to you,” future Bulma interrupted her. The older Trunks and the younger Bulma looked at her surprised. The poor kid wasn't going to understand a thing. “Why don't you ask him to go to play with you, huh? Wouldn't that be fun?” Trunks glared at her, how dare she send him with the child without even asking him if he wanted to? Not that he didn't want to, though. It would be very interesting to talk to himself... and actually get an answer, he thought.

The baby pulled Trunks' hand willing him to stand up. “Let's go!”

“Fine, fine,” he followed him.

“Don't fight over the toys, children,” present Bulma joked.

Future Trunks ignored her, but the other responded. “We won't.”

 

The women watched their respective sons walk hand in hand until they were no longer seen. Now they could have the talk they wanted.

 

“Why are you here?” present Bulma asked, now sounding absolutely serious.

“We came on vacation. In our time most of the places are destroyed and half the people is dead. Since Trunks defeated the androids I've done nothing but work on the house and the company, to arrange things and start the life he always deserved. But he wanted me to take some days for myself so here I am. I chose here and now because I thought it would be nice to see the city as it was so many years ago, before the attacks. There are many things that are different from where we live. I knew Trunks would be happy to see you again and I didn't have to think it twice.”

“Sounds fair enough...” Future Bulma nodded. “Now tell me the real reason why you're here.”

She gulped, but she kept her tone. “That's all I had to say.”

“Really...?”

“Why are you talking to me as if I was a murder suspect? I'm still you, Bulma.”

She sighed, “You're right.” Her smile came back and she forgot about her doubts for a while. “Well, why don't we go around the house so you can familiarize with the changes and feel at home? You are at home, after all.”

“Sure, I'd love to.”

 

--

 

Almost seeming like twins, both women walked through every corridor of Capsule Corporation, every room, every corner. And future Bulma noticed nothing had changed, except for a thing or two.

 

“Gravity Room?” she thought aloud. “This is where he trains, right?”

A big explosion was heard from inside. “I think that answers your question,” present Bulma replied. “Obsessive maniac...” she half murmured, making her older self chuckle, and she decided to test her. “Do you want to see him?”

“Oh, no. I don't want to bother him. He must be very busy.”

“Oh, come on! You'd even be making me a favor,” she insisted. “It would be good to see him more than three times a day, anyway.” She was going to knock on the door but the older Bulma grabbed her hand to stop her.

“Please, just leave him. I can see him later... Uh, why don't you show me your room?” she suggested, quickly changing the subject.

Bulma curled her lips. “Alright, let's go.”

 

A few steps later they entered the bedroom, the same one Bulma had slept in since her childhood, the same one that used to have a single bed instead of the king sized one that now lay in the middle.

 

“You share?” future Bulma asked, now quite surprised. “Since when do you share the room?”

“Since some months ago,” she sighed. “It took me weeks to convince him, but he immediately learned the benefits,” she grinned.

“Oh... how's the relationship going... if I may know?”

“Well, you know, I only see him a few hours a day...” she started to say. “But, despite that...” she winked at her, “it's excellent.”

 

Future Bulma shuddered at the thought. Excellent. It meant so many things. Total understanding. Absolute respect. Undying affection. Passion at its peak. Everything she didn't have. Everything she once had, though. Or didn't she? She believed she did, but then again it was a long time ago, so she couldn't remember well.

Then she felt something else she didn't think she'd be feeling. Jealousy? No, envy. She envied her own past self for having what she had lost, for having Vegeta. The one person that was snatched from her due to a cruel dirty trick played by destiny.

 

“...I see.” Before she continued speaking she heard an other voice behind her.

“Bulma! Why didn't you tell me we have guests?” a tall, blond woman asked.

“I was about to do it, mom. I was just showing her the house,” the young Bulma excused herself.

Future Bulma turned around to find someone she loved so much she couldn't help but be deeply moved. “Mom...” she said under her breath, so low that no one could hear her.

Mrs. Briefs observed the second blue haired lady and smiled cheerfuly at her. “Hi, I'm Bulma's mom. What's your name?”

“I'm... Bulma,” she said quietly.

“Oh, just like my daughter! What a coincidence!”

She held a chuckle. “Yeah, well...” She had to hide her emotion. Her mother was about her age now. Mrs. Briefs was oblivious to the identity of her daughter from the future and, just like Trunks, she wouldn't comprehend it anyway.

“She's Trunks mother,” present Bulma said. “You know, the other Trunks, who came some time ago.”

“Oh, really? That boy is adorable. Is he here too?” Future Bulma nodded. “Great! Then I'll be glad to make a feast for all of you for dinner. Unfortunately I don't have any more pastries to offer you, Vegeta ate them all this morning.”

“It doesn't matter, mom,” the young Bulma told her. “Listen, why don't you introduce her to dad while I go to make dinner? I'm sure she'll love to see the laboratory.”

“Ok...” Mrs. Briefs giggled. “You've probably never seen something like this before. Come, follow me,” she spoke to the older Bulma.

 

Future Bulma said a silent thank you in appreciation of the favor to the younger woman, who nodded in response.

 

Bulma stood in the hallway until her mom and her other counterpart disappeared down the stairs. Her future self, she thought. What a mature woman. So different, yet so alike. It was nice to meet her, the person that raised Trunks all by herself, surviving through the worst of nightmares. She decided to lower her guard and stop doubting her own older self because, how bad could her visit be?

 

Future Bulma looked behind her one more time, not to see the woman lying against the wall, but the door a few meters away from her. The Gravity Room, they called it. The room that contained the real reason for her to be there. She walked forward and acted normally. She was genuinely happy to be able to see her parents again, and spending some time with them would be the perfect way of spending time before she finally got to see him, after so many years. The wait would definitely be worth it.