NOTE: MAJOR CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE!! PLEASE READ!!

I've been rethinking about this fanfiction and its original idea, and have recently thought of a stronger, more interesting plot. The general set-up of this is pretty much the same, but the ending (which you obviously haven't read yet, haha) is drastically different from what I initially thought… like over a year ago, lol.

Therefore, the first few chapters are going to be rewritten and while it's not absolutely necessary, I would highly recommend rereading them because ONE, they'll be written slightly differently, TWO, they'll be written MUCH better than before and THREE, they'll be a little bit LONGER!! Those are pluses, right?

Again, this first "chapter" contains the extended summary along with a prologue, so please read at least this chapter, if you really don't feel like reading the next few again.

Full Summary

Mirai Trunks (will be referred to as 'Mirai' throughout the story) finally defeats the androids and first-form Cell in his own timeline and returns to the past one last time to share the good news. Unfortunately, due to an accidental move, Mirai finds himself in the wrong time period, when his present self is no longer a baby, but an 18-year-old!

Because of the mishap, Mirai is forced to 'stick around and enjoy the show' while present-day Bulma fixes (Mirai's mishap caused technical difficulties in the engine) and recharge his machine. While he is generally accepted pretty easily, the time traveler finds himself dealing with some self-identity issues with his present-day look-alike (who will be referred to as just 'Trunks'). Trunks initially feels apprehensive and slightly threatened by Mirai's presence, fearing that the time traveler will make himself seem weak and useless or even take his place! Eventually, he will learn to trust his older counterpart, almost to the point of some sort of obsessive fascination.

While he tries to help Trunks understand how to be oneself, Mirai discovers some personal troubles of his own that could eventually lead to deadly results. Will he be able to figure out how to stop himself, and also prevent Trunks, from going down the destructive path he had unintentionally created or will he suffer through to the end, losing all hope?

Warnings: Violence in fighting, occasional heavy language use, strong relationships between boys (not really "yaoi", but rather strong friendship that will occasionally border onto shounen-ai, if that makes sense, haha)

Reasons for Title: There can actually be a few different reasons for it, but the main idea you will find out about later in the story (of course, I'll explain in the end).

Disclaimer: This applies to the entire story. I do not own Dragonball Z or any related material connected to Dragonball Z. All ownerships belong to its respected companies (Toei, Funimation, etc), along with Akira Toriyama, the creator of the Dragonball Z comic.

Random Note: Mirai will have the long-haired, ponytail style that he obtained when he came out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber the first time with his father. One, to differentiate between him and Trunks easily. Two, because he looks good like that.

Also, even though Mirai will be referred to as Mirai during the story, he WILL be called Trunks when SPOKEN to or about (since no one really calls him Mirai, considering its not even a name, but a description to differentiate the two Trunks), so make sure to pay attention to which Trunks is being talked about during spoken lines.

Containing Thy Self- Prologue

Future Time- An unknown destroyed city- 12:52 PM

It only took one shot. One shot to completely destroy him. One shot for it all to be over and done with.

Lowering his arms, the young warrior powered down, his hair returning to its natural purple color. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, tilting his head upwards to face the clear, blue sky.

He smiled and closed his eyes. "At last, it's finished. Thanks Goku… everyone…"

Multiple images flashed quickly in his mind like a slideshow. Images from his past, images from his adventure and images of the possible future. One picture, a face, remained a little longer, allowing the long-haired man to examine briefly.

"Gohan..." he uttered, remembering his master from so long ago, "... I did it. Are you proud of me Gohan?" Furrowing his brows for a moment, Mirai slowly open his eyes once more. "I wish you were here to see how strong I've become... I wish you were still alive... with me."

Shaking his head, making the vision disappear, the warrior took one last glance at his surroundings, finding nothing but rubble, and returned to the Capsule Corps.

Future Time- Capsule Corps- kitchen- 1:17 PM

An older woman, blue hair with touches of gray in the roots, sighed for the fifth time in the last hour as she glanced at the clock once more. Seated at the wooden table, one arm propped on the surface, leaning her face in the palm of her hand, Bulma frowned, worrying about the condition of her son.

"Trunks… where are you?"

As if Kami heard her, the man of her distress walks in calmly, unfortunately causing Bulma to jump, nearly tripping over her own chair if her son hadn't caught her.

"Mother, be careful-" The long-haired warrior began to lecture, but was cut off by the older woman throwing her arms around his neck, squeezing with all her strength.

"Oh Trunks, I was so worried!" She cried, tightening her hold. "I knew you would be fine, but I really couldn't help but be anxious!"

Smiling, he wrapped his arms around her small frame gently, leaning his head against her's. "It's okay, it's all over."

"That's good to hear." She replied quietly, stroking her son's hair. "I can't believe you let it grow out. It's looks good, but I didn't know you were into long hair."

Releasing his hold and taking a step back, Trunks pinched a long piece in the front, examining it. "I'm not, really. I don't know… it just seemed… appropriate or something, I guess." Letting it go, he smirked. "I'm trying to look tough. Is it working?"

"Very much so." The older woman giggled, flicking a few strands in his face. "Now I think you know what you have to do. One last thing, one last trip."

He nodded, face turning grim. "Right, I will do that right now."

"Don't look so thrilled about it!" She teased, punching him in the arm, even though she knew he would barely feel it. "Now get out of here and don't come back until you tell everyone!"

"Aye, aye, I know when I'm welcome here." He mockingly saluted her, and then turned to walk outside the door. "I'll be back soon!" And with that said, the young warrior leapt into the air to make his way towards the time machine's location.

Bulma waved slowly, and then placed her hands together against her chest, wincing in pain. Taking a deep breath, she took one last look towards the door. "Be careful."

Future Time- Location of Time Machine- 1:54 PM

The purple-haired man landed softly, grass crunching under his boots. Taking one last look in the direction of Capsule Corps, he frowned, eyebrows drawing together harshly. Biting his lip, he forced himself to get inside the machine, ignoring the uneasy notion swirling in his stomach.

"Well, here goes one more trip and hopefully, the last one."

Fiddling expertly with the switches, glass shield sliding shut over his head, the young man adjusted the proper setting. With a soft, yellow glow surrounding the mechanism, Trunks felt himself being raised in the air.

Unfortunately, a plane flew by, too close for comfort, causing the warrior to jump and hit his arm against the dashboard. He heard something click, which he snapped his head towards, blinking in confusion.

"Wait… the time…?"

And then the machine flickered, disappearing from sight.

Phew, I think that was written much better than the original prologue, so hopefully you guys liked that. The next few chapters will be rewritten, as stated above, for both personal and plot reasons, ha ha. Just so you know, a new chapter will probably not be out until I finish through the rewrites, so bare with me!! Thank you for your patience!