By: Candyangel67

                  ***

    Mirai Trunks watched as the sun set on the large hills of the mountaintop he sat on. He looked ahead as the sun dipped its rays to cover the sky in beautiful oranges, reds, deep yellows, and wavy purples. He thought of how the sunset looked in his timeline: rustic colors covering shattered grounds and helpless people. Has it changed? he thought. Probably not, he finished thinking. I came here to save this world and give people here the chance that was lost to my okassan and me. And to meet my otousan...He thought of the proud soul that was Vegeta. He was such a cruel man with high views of the world. A great warrior, Trunks thought. But the ego and pride meant more to that man--no alien that could ever be thought that bad. All the hopes that this young seventeen year-old boy had about his father were crushed. Sure, he saw him when he was fourteen, but back then he didn't talk to the man, but it really all depended on what you called talking. A subtle word or two yes, but what else? Trunks did not want to think about it. His mind was set that he would leave the next day, kill the Jinzoningen, and live with his mother, rebuilding an old past that wasn't his. Bending his head down in tough thought, he felt a strong ki in the depths of his heart. The ki of his father.

     His head was still bent. He didn't care much for this man anymore; he knew that he was a lost cause for anyone to change. You just couldn't change Vegeta. Not even his " mate" Bulma. Trunks looked up with eyes that searched Vegeta's soul. Nothin' there. Never will be, he thought. Looking across to the hills once more, he felt the hovering body above him settle down in a comfortable position next to him. Trunks looked across to him, trying to find something that said that he cared about him. That was proven when he wished me back. But maybe he felt sorry for leaving my okaasan alone in the future. Could he have cared that much? Vegeta's eyes looked hopelessly at the same hills Trunks looked for comfort, but Vegeta could not find any.

    My son, a grown man practically without a father— a guide, thought Vegeta. His arms crossed in his usual-higher-than-you gesture, but something in his eyes suggested otherwise. Shifting his gaze to his son, he looked closely at the young man. The boy's lavender hair swayed in the oncoming breeze and his jaw set in a dark frown. The angles of his strong face were exactly like his: deep-set and strong. His eyes were of his mother's, the shy blueness shined through. So much like me, yet so opposing, Vegeta mused, as he looked closer. Trunks knew that his father was looking at him, searching him for an unknown answer, trying to find his weakness. The man's eyes bore into his neck, but why complain? This was the closest that he would reach to actual kindness from this man. All those times that they fought, trained, sparred...they meant nothing to his father. He wished that he could freely say that word, but there would be no use for it. Keep on searching, there is nothing there that isn't hope for your warmth, he thought bitterly. His father's eyes still searched him, and soon, Trunks became mad.

     " What? What is there that could possibly interest you?" he asked angrily. Vegeta "humph"ed and looked away.  Trunks sighed a sigh full of sadness and shaking anger. He wanted this man to be the father that he wished for so long, not the man that in the future no one wished to speak of. Not that man whose description was nothing like his mother's. After looking at Vegeta and contemplating what there was, he gave up. Standing up, he hoisted the Sword of the Brave given to him by Tabion upon his back. Fixing his old Capsule Corp. jacket, he began to walk away from his father. Vegeta kept on looking forward, but felt the steps like heavy blocks in his heart.

     " What was it like living without me?" he asked suddenly. His voice was still cold and cruel. The coldness was tinted with a bit of sadness, though, but to Trunks' dismay, he could not find it. He breathed heavily as he looked at the back of his father. He turned around from taking the rest of the steps towards Capsule Corp. Walking heavily he turned and sat next to his father once more. Putting his sword by him, he sighed once more.

     " What do you think? It's obvious by this thing in front of you," he said coldly, sounding exactly like his father. Vegeta chuckled silently before nodding and uncrossing his powerful arms and hands that killed so many people, crushed thousands of civilizations, and destroyed whole planets. He put them at his side, but kept his searching gaze at the dusking silence. Trunks knew that he expected more than just that, so Trunks decided to do just that. But to the contrary beliefs of a nice word, Trunks was going to unleash three years of anger that he wanted so much to avoid.

     " Okaasan tried to highlight the good points about you, saying that you were always busy training to become better, stating that your pride was what kept you going. I was young and just thought that you were the greatest thing that ever landed on this Earth. Aside from Son Goku being my idol, I wanted to become just like you." Suddenly Trunks stopped. He was trying to hold on to the tears wanted to flood out, but he kept them in. His father had to know the truth about his feelings. Vegeta thought it was the end as he bent down and closed his eyes. A smile of satisfaction escaped his lips as he nodded, but Trunks was not done.

     " Son Gohan said that you were powerful and strong, and that your pride was great." Vegeta opened his eyes as he heard the words. What is he trying to say? he thought bitterly." Of course, I had already known these things from okaasan, but as I got older, I wanted to know more about you emotionally. I kept on questioning, but got the same reply. I was getting
annoyed, but I was momentarily diverted with the death of Son Gohan. Then the time machine idea came along. I grabbed at the chance and I ended up here at fourteen, giving the medicine to Son Gokou and explaining my story."

     " Why didn't you tell me I was your otousan?" asked Vegeta suddenly. Trunks whirled his head to look at his father as he heard the words. Out of him? That question out of him? Trunks thought with surprise.

     " I didn't want to start getting beat-up early," he said with dripping sarcasm. Vegeta felt the blow that came out of those words harshly. Crossing his arms once more, he shifted his gaze to look at his son. Trunks was busy looking at the hills, just like his father would do.

     " I knew that if I told you, you guys would feel awkward with the whole fact that I was your son. 'Kaasan would go crazy, and you--well, I don't know about you. After I gave the medicine to Son Goku I returned home. Three years later, I come back and you guys had already had me. I tell you I am your son, you don't care, the Jinzoningen came, we trained. Then came Cell, we trained some more, and then I died." The last sentence was said in noticeable haste. Vegeta narrowed his eyes at the last comment before fully understanding. He's saying that I barely spoke to him. Trunks glanced at his father's peering eyes. Turning away, he began the powerful unleashing of anger.

     " No one told me in my timeline that you were actually a cruel man with a cold-blooded heart. I guess okaasan was trying to yield me from the truth, but the unveiling was coming anyway." Vegeta gasped silently. He wanted so much to beat this boy to a pulp, to hurt him with all his might, and then discard him like trash, but he couldn't. In the depths of his mind, his mind was telling that what he said was true. But why from him? he asked angrily to himself. This cannot be the side of this boy, of me...Trunks' eyes wanted to shed out the painful tears that were threatening to come and engulf him, but to show Vegeta his feelings? Never. He would die before crying. Instead, he sighed and growled inwardly, telling himself that his father had to know the truth—the truth about the pain, the sorrow, and the warmth that he needed, but was never given to him by a father figure.

     " Everyone tried to keep quiet about what you used to do. Everyone said that your pride was what kept you going, but I guess they failed to notice that your pride was the only thing you had. Ignorance, arrogance, cruelty, and cold-blood were the only things that you held. I wanted so much for you to change and give me a chance." He quieted. " I wanted you to be proud of me. I wanted for you to be proud of the fact that I was able to live in that time, taking care of my mother and wishing that you were there. I wanted so much, but not everyone gets what they want. I got beat-up by you, but you call it training. Training? Sparring with you was barely impossible; I thought that you were going to kill me instead of teach me." Trunks became silent. He could feel his father powering up. The man had so much rage inside his body that it hurt Trunks to know that he caused it, but he had to keep on going. His father had to know the true feeling that he felt. He wanted to share the pain with his father, the way any boy would do if they were hurt. Trunks was hurt; emotionally, physically, and any other way that was possible. He felt Vegeta move and get up. He glanced at his father as he moved away and began to walk.

     " I am not done, otousan," he said bitterly. Eyes full of rage looked back at him, along with hurt pride. I am not stopping for your sake, Trunks thought as he walked up to Vegeta slowly. His father's rage was so noticeable, but he wouldn't stop. No. The man just had to know what he caused to his son.

     " I will not listen to such crap! Especially from you, boy," Vegeta replied to the words his son said. He was ready for flight when he saw his son was right in front of him, blocking the way for his father's safety.

     " Yes, you will listen. Everybody else accepted me, but you didn't. Why? I never hurt you, caused great harm, or tried to kill you. Do you know how many times I loathed Son Gohan because his father would speak to him? Because his father hugged him? No, you don't know. You don't wish to know. You know that all I have said today was true and th--"

     " Enough!" Vegeta shouted. His eyes were blazing with hatred, rage, and fear. Yes, fear. Trunks saw that look his father held at that time. The man's fists were clenched, his knuckles turning white. He showed his teeth freely, raged caused this. His breathing was fast and his hands wanted to strangle Trunks. Trunks looked, his frown becoming deeper.

     " I have already wished you back! You know nothing!" Vegeta shouted. Trunks recoiled at the words, but this match he had to win.

     " Then tell me, dammit! I am part of you; I am your son. Your blood runs within me and I hold power beyond people's dreams. Does it look like I give a rat's ass if you wished you me back?! Maybe, if I had stayed dead, I would not be feeling the pain I feel now. I am your son!" Trunks screamed. Vegeta was taken back and his eyes were reverted back to normal as he watched a single tear come out his son's eyes. His fists were still clenched as he looked at his son's fiery eyes. Trunks' hand was on the sheathed sword as he looked down in shame. Why does he do this to me? I only want a father! he thought angrily. The tears were flowing freely and Vegeta was shocked at the sight.

     " You are a Saiya-jin! Pick yourself up boy! I will not have a blubbering child in my royal presence," said Vegeta coldly. Trunks looked up with a tear-stricken face. His blue eyes burned with hatred as he looked up into the proud face of his father.

     " Damn your royal presence! You are not a prince anymore. Your planet is destroyed along with your race. You have no kingdom! No race to rule!" the boy shouted with anger. Vegeta gasped at the straightforward answer. The boy's face was down, along with half his body. His sword was on the ground, the fine blade unsheathed and gleaming in the night sky. The sheath was thrown next to it as Trunks kneeled in shame. Vegeta wanted to hurt this boy so much and the cruelty that was afore mentioned was coursing his veins right at that moment.

     " You dare answer me in such a way, baka?! I am the Prince of Vejiita-sei, and you are not my son!" Vegeta declared with a cold voice as he kneeled to his son's level and said it straight to his son's face. The tear-stricken face of his son looked at him in the eyes with level balance. The red eyes looked into his and Vegeta felt something. Why do you this, brat? Why do you cause pain? I wished you back, and you do this? he asked himself. Looking into the boy's eyes, he searched for something, but found nothing. He only saw the dying eyes of his offspring within no feelings in them. The head fell limply down as Vegeta walked away from the scene.

     " Why do you hate me so much that you can't even look into my eyes a solid minute and then run like a coward?" asked Trunks sadly. His voice was low and full of pain that even made Vegeta shiver. His back was turned, and Trunks stood slowly. Sheathing his sword, he placed it on his back again without saying a word. Vegeta's eyes closed in pain and grief as he felt the steps walk away slowly. You can't leave me like this, brat! You can't. I cannot come close to you; it is against my race, and me, he thought as he heard the footsteps. But I have no race, no power, and no planet. I am your father! he finally said to himself as he turned around and looked into the eyes of his son. His cheeks were smeared with the tearstains, and his hair covered his shameful face. He parted away the hair and saw his father's face only by the moonlight that graced both their presences at that time.

     " Why? Why do you do this to me?" asked Vegeta with growing desperation as his hands were placed out before him. He moved forward to his son slowly. His arms were at his side now, dangling as he walked forth. " I am not like humans! I will never understand you all! I come from a warrior race that was hated and feared all over the universe. And now I am stuck here on Earth with a child and a woman who will not leave me alone. My race is--"

    " Dead," finished Trunks. His hair still covered his face, but his voice was cold like his father's. " They are dead, vanquished, gone. You and Son Goku are the only one's left that are full-blooded. But you just had to be cursed with pride because--"

     " That is all I have left of myself," interrupted Vegeta. He now stood face-to-face with his son. They stared into each other's eyes, wondering what each one was thinking. Trunks' lavender hair parted from his face as he stared at his father. Kami, don't I wish that he would grab me like a real father would! he screamed inside himself. Vegeta seemed to know what his son was thinking, but it was hard for him. You are all that can save your future. Slowly, Vegeta placed his hand on his son's shoulder. Trunks watched silently and with shock as his father pushed him in for a tight embrace. He freely put his hands around his father's back and a tear fell out of his eye. Vegeta felt it, the way it came, and the way it softened his heart of stone.

     " Cry," he said suddenly. Still hugging his father, Trunks freely let out his tears. Vegeta closed his eyes and shed one tear. You are my legacy, my son. You are all that is left of me besides your mother. Trunks' tears soon became racking sobs and he was afraid that his father would let go, telling him to stay away, but his father hugged him more tightly, and let the pains come out freely.

     Soon, the moment was over. Trunks departed away from his father and looked at the man in the eyes. Brushing away the tears, he laughed nervously. " Gomen nasai for doing something like that. I know that I am half-Saiya-jin and should not be doing such things. But--" He was cut off as he saw his father give him a look of acceptance. Taking his sword, Trunks turned and looked at the sky. Behind him, he felt a strong arm gripped his shoulder in a sign of affection. He smiled as he and his father watched the stars.

     " I wish you luck," said Vegeta behind him. Trunks patted the hand that gripped his shoulder. " My son." Trunks smiled as he looked at a comet go over the Earth and leaving trails of light behind.

     “ You cannot deny me, huh, otousan?” asked Trunks with a smile. Behind him, he felt the movement of his father’s nod. “ But thank you, anyway.”

       ***

     The next day, Trunks woke up with a light head and heavy heart. Today he would have to leave his family. He would miss his past mother, she was younger and she gave him advice on what to do with girls. He would miss his father most of all because he was actually there now. As he got out of bed and changed, he looked at the sky. It was morning and he decided to train quickly. He was inside it training, and a knock was heard. Vegeta was there, asking to train. He took him in and they sparred, not close to even killing each other.

     All good, however, had to end. He was now outside, looking at the dusking sky. The egg-shaped time capsule was waiting for its passenger. He looked at his mother and hugged her tightly. He stepped inside the machine and then he looked up at his father. A smile escaped his lips as they stared for one moment. He got in and the machine soared to the sky. On the ground, Vegeta put two fingers up for the peace sign and a smile was on his lips when he did it.

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      Ramblings and Disclaimers

Standard Disclaimer: Dragonball Z/GT does not belong to me. They belong to Akira Toyama and the artists at Toei Animation, Pioneer, and various other people.

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Ramblings: My next ‘fic will be End It On This, a fanfiction on a song by No Doubt.

Do you like it? Tell me at. E-mail me at candyangel67@hotmail.com (Be free!)

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