Well, the story is finally being continued. In case you haven't noticed (or didn't care), the first five chapters (including the prologue) were rewritten extensively. There have been a good number of changes within the dialogue, scenes and the story itself, so it is strongly recommended that you read through these rewritten chapters if you haven't already done so. I know it sounds like a pain, but I believe it's worth your time if you're interested in this story. Thank you for your patience and enjoy the brand-new chapter!


Containg Thy Self- Chapter Eight

Brief's Household- Mirai's temporary bedroom- 8:14 AM

Dropping his toothbrush on the nearly bare nightstand, Mirai sighed, realizing what today's event is to be. Tightening the knot to his white towel wrapped around his slim waist, he knelt down by the one of many large shopping bags, courtesy of Bulma, digging through the numerous amounts of clothes.

Grimacing at the bright colors and strange styles, Mirai momentarily wondered if there was a way he could accidentally-on-purpose dump these into a dumpster somewhere without notice. Groaning quietly, he remembered that this was Bulma he was thinking about, who would not only notice the obvious disappearance but would be highly offended as well. He could almost hear her lecturing him now.

Blinking at the dark piece of cloth that stuck between the sunshine yellow and nauseating bubble-gum pink, Mirai dove for it like a man stranded in the desert coming across a puddle of water. Gently, he retracted the black fabric from the evil clutches of the neon world, holding it out for him to inspect. A simple, plain black tank-top, no traces of it being raped by gaudy colors. The time traveler smiled.

"Figures she would replace my original outfit." Frowning, he allowed his sight to scan through the bundles held by simple means of plastic, cursing silently. So he did the only thing that seemed reasonable.

A whoosh was heard from behind, a sound Mirai wondered if he should start expecting this daily as he stumbled over his work, being startled so suddenly.

"Brat, the woman wants-WHAT THE HELL?!" The prince's harsh voice cried out, compelling the younger man into ducking his head in defense, immediately feeling like a child who just did something naughty... not that he did, of course. "What the fuck are you doing?!" The flame-haired man demanded, taking in the wardrobe tornado that appeared to have struck right before his entrance.

"I... I'm looking for clothes." Mirai muttered, blushing once he realized how dumb the response appeared.

Vegeta looked as if he was going to say something completely and utterly insulting just because the situation was practically begging for him to do so, if he had not perceived the black shirt Mirai held protectively in his hands, which virtually opposed the rest of his options. Clearing his throat, the stoic prince turned around, placing a hand against the doorframe. 'Well, the woman wants in the front lobby within a half hour, so move it!"

Watching the door slide back, covering the older man's disappearing body, Mirai sighed, partly relieved of the lecture he managed to avoid receiving.

Brief's Household- Front Lobby- 8:42 AM

Tapping her white-booted foot impatiently, the blue-haired president of Capsule Corps gnawed on her bottom lip. "What's taking so long!? I was done five minutes ago and I'm the one that usually takes the longest!" Growling in an animalistic nature, contrasting her feminine appearance, she curved herself around, ready to stalk up the staircase, if it weren't for Mirai suddenly emerging into view.

"Oh Trunks, you're here!" Gasping, she ran her eyes up and down, scrutinizing the time traveler's appearance. "And how handsome you look!"

"Ah?" He blushed, taking a step back. "I-I do?"

Graced in his familiar black tank-top, he also put on a denim jacket, minus the sleeves, instead giving it frayed edges, the closest he could find to previous gear. Black, loose-fitting pants enveloped his legs, ending with a pair of dark blue boots, much like his orange ones. Perhaps the younger version of his mother was referring to was his hair, which he decided to pull all back in a high ponytail with a few strands escaping the bind.

"Yes, it's so nice to see your face when it's not covered with your long hair." She commented, reaching up to brush back those loose strands. "Not that I don't like your hair, because I do, but a change is nice." Smiling, she then blinked as if she just apprehended something. Grabbing hold of the railing, she shouted up the steps. "Trunks, you're late! We have to sign up and everything by ten o'clock!"

A light tug against the thin fabric of his pants. "Big Trunks." Glancing down, he smiled at the petite blue-haired girl, patting her head. "I think you look handsome too."

"Well, thank you Bulla. I appreciate that." Giving her nose a light pat with his index finger, Mirai quickly snuck his arms underneath her, lifting her up nimbly as she squealed with delight, gripping along the taut muscles of his forearms.

"Mom, seriously, the way you drive, we don't really need to leave until five minutes before the tournament starts." Trunks mumbled negligently through yawns, rubbing his heavy eyelids, as he tromped down the flight of steps.

"Same goes to you brat." Vegeta added with his trademark smirk. "Guess that solves where you learned your driving issues from." Bulla giggled, slapping a hand over her mouth and tried to bury her face against Mirai's broad chest as Trunks scowled at her.

Mirai made no sound, taking note of the dark circles forming under the younger boy's eyes, guilt abruptly filling his mind. He quickly averted his gaze when Trunks started looking towards him.

"Speeding problems or not, we still have to meet the rest of the gang around nine o'clock, so move it!" The blue-haired woman pressed the button for the garage door, waiting for the large steel to break free from the ground, allowing rays of the rising sun to shine through the darkened room.

World Tournament- Front Entrance- 9:12 AM

"Ah, we're finally here once again!" Bulma cheerfully commented, stretching her stiff arms above her head. "Just like old times, eh boys?" Grasping a hold of Bulla's hand, the blue-haired woman turn to grin at the others, the faltered when Mirai came into view. "Oh yes, Trunks, this is your first time, but don't worry, I'm sure you will enjoy it." Giggling, her grin grew wider. "It's all... easy-going fighting."

"Easy-going, huh?" The long-haired boy gave her a small smile in return, making a swift glance at his younger counter-part, signaling her. "I don't know how far I'll make it, but I'm sure I will enjoy it."

"Yes!" With her free hand, she patted her present-time son on the shoulder. "And you, no silly stuff if you fight Goten. No Super Saiyan either, even if he does end up kicking your butt."

Trunks snorted. "Like he could beat me." Despite his slightly haggard appearance, his mother's comments seemed to have lightened him up a bit. "C'mon mom, it's me, Trunks, versus Goten."

"Ho ho, we will see." She smirked at his confidence, one of the few things he truly inherited from both her and his father. "Well then, we shall go meet the others, hm? I'm sure they're probably gathered by the food stalls, knowing Goku."

"Trunks and I will be going ahead and registering. "Vegeta spoke up, with a slight shove against Mirai's back, pushing him forward. Mirai jumped at the contact, stumbling a bit, staring at the flame-haired man confusingly.

"Ah?" Bulma wanted to protest, about to comment on how Mirai hasn't met everyone, until the Saiyan prince gave her a hard, pressed look. She frowned, biting back her objection, despite her confusion. "All right then, we will see you later."

"Hm." The stoic man moved forward, barking at the time traveler to move it, as the rest of the family watched them go ahead.

"Mom?" Trunks spoke, his unspoken question evident in his voice, as he felt a bit irritated that his father didn't bother to bring him along as well.

She forced a grin. "Trunks, let's find Goku, Goten and the others, okay?" Tugging at Bulla's hand, she moved towards the stalls. "Come along now."

The teenager scowled, hating the fact that his parents are determined to keep him in the dark about whatever was conversed between the two, though he did obediently fall into step next to her. The disturbing conversation he had the night before with the time traveler, his supposed future self (no matter what anyone says, it's awkward to have someone who looks exactly like you to randomly appear out of nowhere), continuously replaying in his mind, the sole reasoning behind his lack of sleep. It was unnerving, at the lest, on how calm Mirai acted in the end, a complete flip-flop of that moment during the fight with his father.

"... when you turned into something demonic, godly, untouchable!"

Trunks smirked internally at his own words, the very image still crystal-clear in his mind, and probably will return so for quite some time. Aside from himself and his father, the young man wondered momentarily if anyone had seen that side to him. It was so brief, that it could've been easily imagined, but Trunks knows what he saw, and clearly, so did Vegeta.

There was no denying it. His future self had, for a few seconds, released proof of his hidden power that was to be locked away, deep down, only to be released slowly, steadily, controllably. It was unsettling, yet alluring, to also remember that because future Trunks is present Trunks, he too, had that power within him.

With a bit of guilt, Trunks also remembered quite noticeably that while he felt a bit of... fear, as much as he hated to admit it, when Mr. Time Traveler altered his power immensely, he also felt a bit of exhilaration mixed him. With immediate realization, Trunks understood the true meaning behind the power of the hybrids that he, Goten, Gohan and the future man (he would count Bulla, but she doesn't train, and although pan could be grouped with them, she is still quite young, her power limitations still unknown) possessed. It was no wonder why Goku and his father insisted on training so much (though, in Goku's case, he may just sense it or plain liken training itself).

Gohan coming to mind, Trunks wondered if this was perhaps one of the reasons for the oldest son of Goku to quit his training to focus on studying, aside from his mother's nagging and his family. Maybe Gohan realized the potential danger of his power (and Trunks knew Gohan was very powerful in his own right), deciding against training any further, for the sake of keeping his... sanity?

No, that wasn't the right word, he thought, frowning. It wasn't that Mirai went nuts or anything, though the moment was so fleeting, Trunks couldn't be sure, but his power was so... overwhelming. Really, it couldn't be described properly.

"Yo Trunks!" With wide, black eyes coming into view, the purple-haired teen snapped out of his deep thought, blinking. "I've been calling your name for awhile now." Goten stared at his friend with a bit of concern.

Trunks blinked once more, glancing around as he finally realized where he was. A few others, namely his mother and Gohan, were also staring at him with a bit of puzzlement. A couple of others, explicitly Goku, Chi-Chi and Videl, were chattering with Pan, encouraging her for the tournament, while Piccolo stood silently at the side, as usual. And then there was Yamcha, Puar, Tien and Chaozu close by as well.

Blushing slightly, Trunks raised his nose haughtily as a self-defense maneuver. "Well, excuse me for having a moment to myself."

Breaking out a wide grin at the snobby attitude, the black-haired boy smacked his buddy on the back. "Aye, sure, sure. Trying to think of non-cheating ways to beat me incase we fight. I understand." Shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly, the younger one continued, holding back his chuckles. "I mean, you were so desperate when we fought here ten years ago, turning Super Saiyan because you couldn't defeat my awesome fighting skills naturally."

Bulma bit her lip, trying to hold back her laughter as she watched her son raised a fist threateningly. "Trunks, no fighting until the tournament." She managed to gasp out, turning away so he wouldn't see her attempts to control her amusement.

"Goten..." The purple-haired boy started, debating whether to clock him now or wait until he least expects it. "Whining doesn't qualify as a fighting skill, as you dreadfully tried to prove during the fight."

"What!?" Goten's mouth fell open. "Whining!? I don't whine, you asshole!"

"All right children, calm down." Gohan commanded, firmly placing a hand on both their shoulders, sighing. "Really, save your energy for the fights."

"Yeah Goten, save your whining for the battles." Trunks shot out, smirking assertively.

"Pssh, as long as you don't cheat your way through." The black-haired boy replied quickly, also grinning madly.

Gohan was reaching the ends of his patience. "Enough before I clobber the both of you!"

Silence fell between them, bringing a sense of serenity upon the oldest of the three, as he released their shoulders.

"Cheater."

"Whiner."

As the two teenagers grumbled about their newly-formed bumps on their heads, Gohan turned around to face the older, blue-haired woman. "Bulma, good to see you."

"Yes, you too, Gohan. I swear you get taller every time I see you."

"Ah well, can't do much about that." He chuckled, readjusting his glasses that slid down a tad along his nose. "Anyways, where are Vegeta and the other Trunks?"

Bulma blinked, realization flashes in her eyes, as she raised a hand to her lips. Gohan raised an eyebrow at her reaction, briefly wondering if he should've not mentioned them, as Goten popped up at his side. Placing a hand above his eyes, the teenager glanced around. "Yeah, where are Mr. Time Traveler and His Highness?"

The elder brother groaned internally at his boldness, as Bulma opened her mouth to speak up.

"Hey guys!" Another voice broke through, everyone looking up at the newcomers. Goku, with Pan in his arms, leapt forward excitedly. "Krillin! You made it!"

"Of course we did!" The shorter man, his normally dark hair showing obvious signs of graying, beamed. "I've been coming to these things since I was a young teenager, participating or not, why would I stop now?"

"You should enter, Krillin." The taller, now short-haired blonde woman at his side commented calmly, giving everyone an impassive look. "We could use the money."

"No way!" He responded, tossing a hand in the air. "I'm too old for this now."

Bulma gasped sharply, a sudden comprehension rushed over her, unfortunately catching everyone's attention. "Ah, never mind, I just remembered that, uh, I think I left the, umm, stove on! Yes, excuse me!" The blue-haired woman quickly walked away from the group, making an act of pulling out a cell phone out of her purse, while the others shrugged their shoulders and continued with their pleasant chatter.

With some distance away from the gang, Bulma sighed, replacing her phone. How could she have been so careless?! Of course, Mirai had just come from his own time, had just destroyed the androids of his time. He's not going to want to see Eighteen, good or not, just days after killing her future counterpart. Praise Kami that Vegeta takes note of these sorts of things, or else they may have faced a possibly disastrous situation.

While the older woman may not be much of a fighter and didn't experience the things that Mirai had growing up, but she had gone through some particularly difficult situations herself. Along with the fact that she was his mother, regardless of what time period he was from, she understood that Mirai was not in the right state of mind to have unwanted surprises. It was good that Eighteen, while did have her self-destruct mechanism removed, still retained the rest of her cybernetic parts, which allowed her to not be sensed due to her lack of ki, or life force.

But the problem was that she was still around, and Mirai was here for the time being as well, so if a chance meeting between the two were to occur... Bulma sighed deeply, not wanting to think of the consequences of such a moment. For the time being, it would be good to keep Mirai distracted while she would find a later moment to at least explain to the young man that Krillin, was indeed, married to Eighteen, incase he were to question the short man's whereabouts (that is, assuming that Mirai doesn't come across Krillin here himself, which she prayed for).

Which provided a possible solution for the time traveler, but Bulma knew that she would have to bring up the topic to the rest of the gang, considering they will eventually see him in the tournament. Taking a deep breath, with fists clenched and unclenched, she turned around, walking back towards the group.

"Oh Bulma!" Goku called out happily. "I just told Krillin that Trunks was here too!"

She must've tripped over something, really, with the sky straight ahead in her line of sight, because she did not just hear her oldest friend say that.

World Tournament- Registration Desk- 9:28 AM

"Fa-Vegeta, why did we go ahead?" Mirai questioned, staring at the older man's bent back, whom was signing in their names. "I wanted to see the others."

Restraightening himself, the Saiyan prince placed the pen down with a curt nod towards the registar. He then turned his body slightly, to walk away, Mirai right behind him.

The time traveler was getting impatient. "Veg-"

"No matter what you come across here." Mirai blinked, the stoic man's deep, gruff voice effectively cutting him off. "You must keep your cool and don't let your feelings get in the way."

"My feelings?"

The prince didn't respond, merely continuing his way towards the main center of the tournament, leaving the younger man in a state of puzzlement.


All right, that's the end of this chapter. Even though it's been pretty obvious from the start, take note that updates are not going to be consistent. But I am NOT abandoning this, for sure.

Also, realize that they are at the tournament, so various things that have occurred there during the anime/manga will be at least mentioned once more within the story. Of course, with Mirai's presence, things will be changed, of course, and the focus will be on him the majority of the time. So you know, the fight between Goku and Ubuu will be brought up, but as a background event, since it doesn't really pertain to the story itself. So please don't accuse me of simply copying the anime with a few changes made because that's NOT what I'm doing. If you're reading this story carefully, that should be glaringly obvious.

Another thing: Yes, things are going a little slow but it's to provide character development and eventual layouts to future events. Basically, this is to build up to the main story, which, of course, takes place after the tournament. So have patience! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!