Author Notes: Here's the second chapter... sorry its a bit slow. Let me know what you think and please stick with me. More will happen soon.

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The second anniversary of Trunks' defeat of the Androids and the death of Trunks' mother was rolling in and for the first time in a very long time, Trunks chose to stay in the house for a while. It was sort of like showing a silent sound of respect to his mother. As he began to walk silently into the sitting room he paused, fumbled in a draw and pulled out a very familiar capsule. As he opened the capsule, a nostalgic smile grew on his face as the time machine appeared in front of him, the words his mother had scrawled onto it many years ago still prominent on the side. Hope. Something Trunks hadn't felt in a long time.

"Mum, why couldn't you be here to guide me? I need you," he whispered, and unbidden tear sliding down his cheek. Frequently, Trunks' mind had wondered to the alternative past he had helped saved and he yearned to go back once again. It was ironic, last time he was there he wanted nothing more than to return. But things had changed and he felt as if he had lost something along the way. Looking at the time machine one more time, Trunks shook his head and then popped it back into its capsule. Going back to the train of thought he was at before getting distracted, he began to walk towards a draw in the sitting room. As usual, he pulled out a pen and paper and began to write, suspending the pen momentarily on his lip as he thought about what to say. Finally, he put his pen to paper and began to write.

Hey Mum,

I'm sorry I haven't written in a while- its been nearly a week hasn't it? I've been very busy training, but I know that is no excuse. I've been using some of the techniques I saw my father use more now. It was strange at first, but fine now. That's about it on my life right now, its just as it always is. I still miss you mum. I still think sometimes that I'll come home from training and you'll be there, or I'll wake up after knocking myself unconscious up there to think that you'd be there next to me, but you're not. I'm just stuck on the cold floor, entirely too tired to think properly. That's probably why; I'm half delusional in that state. I try not to do that very often though, I know you wouldn't approve. I'm not going to lie to you... I've been tempted by the Time Machine again. It would be so easy just to go back... but I can't. My place is here, with you, even if you're no longer in this dimension anymore. I wish that Piccolo was still around... then I could have wished you back. But there's no use living on what-ifs, there's so many of them. But I'm okay, I'm still breathing. I thought that seeing Gohan dead would be the worst thing I would ever had to experience, but like many times before, I was wrong. I miss you so much mum. I love you.

Your son,

Trunks

Trunks wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and frowned slightly at the quite short letter. Ever since her death, he had been writing these letters addressed to her, even though he knew she could never read them. He sighed and placed his pen on the table. He re-read the letter and then folded it up, putting it carefully in a draw with all of the others. Perhaps he would have a nap, it might restore some of his energy. He pulled off his jacket, tossed it aside and went to his bed, hoping to fall into a dreamless sleep.

Sleep did come, sooner than expected. He knew he was in the dream world instinctively as soon as the world came into focus in his mind. It was all very green, and when he squinted, he thought he could see a river in the distance. Where is this place? It was oddly peaceful. And empty.

"Hello Trunks."

Or so he thought. The voice sent jars into Trunks, so familiar yet different at the same time. He was frozen to the spot, half scared to turn round in case it turned out to be an illusion and he would be facing empty air.

"Hey kiddo, I'm talking to you," the voice said cheerfully, light and dancing. Trunks shut his eyes and swung round. After a moment, he dared to open his eyes.

"Mum?"

Before Trunks could control himself, he hurled himself at the woman and hugged her, clinging to her like a small child would. She smelt like she always did, of strawberries and some sort of oil. She smelt of home.

"Hello to you too," she said, returning the hug warmly.

"How....when... why..."

Trunks' voice was muffled by his mother's shirt; he was unwilling to let go of her just yet in case she faded away.

"Hey, its alright," Bulma said reassuringly, gently prying herself from Trunks' iron grip. "You okay?"

Trunks nodded his head and smiled at his mother. Then he just stared at her, drinking up her every feature, her smile, the way her eyes lit up.... his memories of her had began to dim, became soft around the edges.

"I've missed you mum," Trunks said finally, his voice trembling.

"I've missed you too," Bulma said, smiling in a way Trunks wasn't used to seeing at all. It was free of all pain. "I love you son."

"I love you too mum. So much."

A moment or so passed after the exchange, where Trunks was just happy to look at her. Everything would be okay now his mum was there. Then her smile dropped a little.

"Trunks... I've got to talk to you about something..." Bulma said, biting her lip, a habit Trunks was used to seeing.

"I know what you've been doing over the last 2 years, since you came back. I couldn't be prouder of you, and I know that Vegeta and Gohan are proud of you too. I know," at the last remark, his mother winked slightly. Trunks couldn't help grin.

"Thank you mum. I couldn't have done it without you," Trunks said.

"I'm sure you didn't need old me to help you," Bulma said, waving a hand in the air as she laughed with her son. "But I really need to talk to you about what's happened to you since I've died."

All laughter that was bubbling inside of Trunks instantly evaporated. He looked away from his mother.

"I know that you want to go back Trunks. I don't understand why you don't go..." Bulma said, placing a hand on Trunks' shoulder. She didn't need to elaborate, Trunks knew exactly what she was talking about. Going back in time, to the future he helped save. Where everyone was still alive. Well, almost everyone.

"No, I can't go. I need to protect earth," Trunks said firmly.

"I think earth will be just fine. It's you we need to be worrying about," Bulma replied, his tone gentle. He instantly felt guilty about his tone the moment his mother began to speak again.

"Me? I'm fine," Trunks said. Bulma snorted.

"Don't lie to your mother, you're not. Ever since you defeated the Androids and Cell, you've lost your purpose in life... your goal... you're dying Trunks, and if you don't do something soon... you will lose yourself completely," Bulma said quietly. Trunks looked up in astonishment at his mother, only finding sincerity in her crystal blue eyes.

"But mother... what about you?"

"Oh Trunks... What about me? I'm dead, I don't matter anymore. Besides, you're the only thing I care about and I want you to be happy. You should go."

"But-"

"No buts young man, you're going and that's final. I'm your mother and I decide what's best for you, dead or alive," Bulma said sternly. Trunks couldn't help but laugh, and embraced his mother.

"Thank you..." he muttered into her hair.

"No problem... and by the way, I know they're probably going to kill me after this, figuratively speaking of course, but Gohan sends his love...."

Trunks smiled and held onto his mother closer.

"I love you mum."

I love you too son..."

Then there was a blinding flash of light, and everything was gone.

When the first dredges of consciousness awoke in him again, Trunks slowly pulled himself into the ball. He opened his eyes slowly, blinked twice and looked around. For some reason, he thought his mother would be in the room. Then the contents of the dream flooded back to him.

"Mother..." he whispered, looking at a picture on the table of her. His eyes were stinging and he felt a dull ache in his chest.

You're dying Trunks, and if you don't do something soon... you will lose yourself...

He shook his head. No, I'm not dying, I'm fine.

He flexed his muscles in his arm and sluggishly got up.

Who was he trying to fool? Himself? There was no one else apart from himself now.

In the sitting room, Trunks picked up a photo album. He couldn't remember bringing it out, but it seemed like something he would do. Sitting down, he reluctantly flicked through the pages, each page making his certainty on his decision cracking. He found after a short while, the last picture of himself and his mother. He squinted at it. He looked so young. Standing up, he compared himself to that in the picture, and himself. The contrast was unmistakable. He may have been much younger then, but now he was much paler and thinner in the face, his cheeks beginning to look hollow. His eyes had lost a sparkle that was still present in the picture, once clear as lazuli, now like murky blue pools. Purple shadows were starting to form under his eyes.

What was he doing here again? What should he do? Should he go back, on his mother's advice, and give in to his own personal want? Or would he stay here in case a new threat emerges? One that might never come?

Be selfish for once...

A voice echoed in his ear.

You deserve this! You deserve to have a future with people that care about you!

Rushing out of the house, Trunks broke out into a run, the cool air waking up all of his senses.

You're the only thing I care about and I want you to be happy... his mother's voice whispered in his ear.

"Okay Mum, I'll do it," Trunks whispered finally, staring up at the sky.

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"Okay, I've got some capsules, some food for the flight... some spare power in case it goes wrong or something... a couple of changes of outfit..."

Trunks carefully placed everything he needed into a small bag and then swung it over his shoulder. He glanced at the mirror. His hair was well past his shoulders, he hadn't bothered to cut it, nor had the guts to try now. He grinned, a ball of excitement sitting in the pit of his stomach. He was going back! He just hoped the others wouldn't mind him hanging around. If they didn't.... well Trunks didn't want to think about it. It was exhilarating; he had a goal in life again.

Before he went, he knew he would have to take one last look at the house, the rooms he grew up in, his life up until now. Since he was back, it had never felt like home anymore, and he had stopped calling it that. This world was merely his training room, and the house was just somewhere he stayed at sometimes. Afterwards, he visited his mother's grave for perhaps the last time, taking with him only a picture of himself, his mother and Gohan.

"Thank you mother, for everything. I'll never forget it. I'll never forget you. I love you," Trunks said, gazing at her grave for a moment. Then he tore his eyes away. He was ready. Pulling out the time machine and double checking the time and date, Trunks sat down comfortably in the seat like he did little over two years previously. Concentrating hard, he brought the machine back to life, feeling slightly rusty after not using it for so long. Then he felt like he was being sucked through a tiny hole, and the world was gone.

Life suddenly came back and he was in the middle of a field of green and he jumped out of the machine, popping it back into its Capsule. He decided to get to the house by foot. Trunks thought gleefully. He could see the house clearly now, he could even, if he strained, see through the window... is that? Yes it is! It was blue hair. Mother! Trunks suddenly skidded to a stop. How could he just walk in there as if nothing's happened? How could he just walk in there and talk to his mother as if... he couldn't move. Conflicting emotions overwhelmed him... on the one hand, he wanted to go in there, to see his mother, but then he didn't... he couldn't...

Trunks didn't know how long he stood there, staring. He couldn't do it. He wasn't ready to face them... to face her... yet. It was strange enough before, seeing her look so similar, yet different. He gave the house on last look, before turning on his heels and running in the opposite direction.

"I'll be back Mum, I promise." Trunks whispered to the wind, pushing down his power level to almost nonexistent levels. He would be back, when he felt he was ready, that, he was sure of. Until then, he would try and adjust to this world, to a world that never knew the true horrors of the Androids and all of the misery they could have caused on his own.