The wind blew in a peaceful rythm as the sun rised over mount Paozu.
Trunks made himself ready to train by himself,Fastening his belt,
He was at his place at Mount Paozu,Trunks has grown into a virtuous young man,
after so many years has passed he never once wavered from his desire to maintain that power he received.
As he peformed Xing si quan he thought back about all the training he had in the past,all of them reminded him how important it is to push your limits.
To be unlimited because all the threats lurking become stronger,
During his movements he broke a large piece of the ground as he placed a firm footstep on it.
he thought back about his training in the gravity chamber, Sparring with Gohan in the forest.
and then with Goku in the Hyperbolic time chamber of the alternate timeline,Trunks was send flying against a wooden table breaking it. He remembered how thick the air was,even though he received a good pummeling Goku has seen potential.
Then Trunks turned into a Super Saiyan God,letting his ki rise above the atmosphere, and for a moment he felt Goku's ki burn inside his chakra.
Trunks rubbed that area,What Goku said is true,whenever he uses that power he will always be near.
It was like spiritually he was with him, doing the same martial arts movements by his side.
Trunks finished his martial art practice and let his ki fade,He exhaled the air quietly and satisfied with the results he build up.
When Gohan offered him to live in mount paozu he didn't need any time to think about it, He immediately said yes,
he had to get used to alot of things,and it wasn't Always easy living in the Woods but with instant transmission things are alot easier,
there is no rent and you can litterally pick your breakfast from the trees,It gives you a relief from tight budgets,so living here does has it's charm.
"Onii-chan!" A tiny voice said.
Trunks looked behind him and a small 4 year old girl stood on the stairs,holding her arms behind her back watching him with admiration.
The girl had spiky hair and large black eyes just like most Saiyans.
"Gine" Trunks said walking up to her,he Always gladly stops his training just to play with the child.
Gohan arrived at the scene too watching Trunks spinning his Daughter around,It's such a Delight to see them sharing a close bond.
Gine is named after his Grandmother to honor her,Gohan met her at the universal tournament where Saiyans are still alive,and If Gohan and Erasa have a son he'll be called Burdock,It was also wonderful seeing Vegitto interact with his parents.
Trunks smiled brightly seeing Gohan approach them, "Hey!" Trunks greeted, they embraced briefly and gave each other a welcome back fist bump.
"I missed having you around man, how was your trip" Trunks asked.
"It was blissful, Erasa and I had a wonderful time" Gohan said, "And Gine learned how to fly there" Gohan said pinching her cheek proudly.
"Is that so? "Aww Gine you're the best" Trunks said responding with a cuddle as he picked her up again.
"Want to pick up Grand Papa or Grand ma first"? Said Gohan.
"Shh" Gine said pressing a tiny index finger to her Fathers mouth" Nana doesn't want to be called Grandma it makes her feel old"
Trunks and Gohan looked at Gine and then looked at eachother" They chuckled and decided to take Gine's word for it.
-/-.
Goku was outside sparring with Goten,It was fun but Goten got clueless and Goten kicked right in the face landing on the grass.
Vegeta and his wife arrived at the area where they trained and Bulma didn't seem very happy.
"Uncle!" A little girl that resembled Bulma a lot wiggled her way out of Vegetas hold and rushed towards Goku, and Goku picked her up tossing her into the air catching her.
"Wee! Again, again! That was fun" Bra said jolly.
"Hey there, oh gosh you're grown" Goku said and carried her in one arm,just like Trunks Bra adores Goku too.
"Hi there Bulma long time no see" Goku said happy.
"Don't hi me, Why didn't you come and visit us?" You're one of my oldest friends and you're almost never around" Bulma said a bit disappointed.
"Cmon Bulma you know that I care about you, I visited you a short while ago" Goku said.
"Yeah 5 years ago,I'm always the one who has to visit,and on Planet Earth friendships is a two way street" Bulma huffed.
"But I have a lot of training to do to keep the Earth from being destroyed,with you and all my comrades in thoughts" Goku said but Bulma remained pouty.
Goku didn't get Bulma at times,
Bulma noticed Gohan coming from above landing on the grass,
Goku looked at her direction and was pleased to see Gohan coming along.
"Gran papa! me and daddy flied over the whole world!" Gine said happy.
Goku smiled,she sure has inherited his adventurous spirit.
"No we went to Bali for a week" Gohan corrected Gine.
Erasa also arrived at Mount Paozu a while later after work.
"Hey honey" Erasa greeted Gohan with smooch and patted Gines head.
"Mama I'm so thrilled to compete in my first tournament I'm even wearing the Gi grand papa had on" Gine said.
"That lovely dearest I have a feeling that you could win this" Erasa aid proud letting her little princess punch her palms.
Wow wait wait" Gohan immediately said."Let's wait until you are maybe 10 and a supersaiyan" Gohan said.
"Hey!"Gine pouted displeased.
"Gine you just turned 4" Gohan said.
"So? Gran Papa won tournaments at the age of 4 and Nana won tournaments since she was 7" Gine argued back.
"Yeah and I've already signed her up..there is no turning back" Erasa said meddling in the conversation.
"What?..Without telling me first!?" Gohan asked bewildered.
"Gohan she'll be fine..besides we already have Goku's blessings since it was his idea"
"Father are you insane"?..these fighters are from universe 6 and 7!..who knows what kind of danger Gine might get herself into" Gohan said.
"Not Dangers Gohan but challenges" Erasa said and Trunks smiled knowing where that Quote comes from,
Since Trunks and her watched that movie toghether she vowed she'll be a cool mom who has alot of faith in her children.
Gohan was visibly displeased, Erasa I find it very unfair that you did this without consulting me first! Gine is my daughter too" Gohan said.
"Calm down its only the kids division" Erasa said holding her hands in defense.
"What?" Gohan said.
"I want her to grow as a martial artist but I'm not stupid" Erasa argued back.
"Oh, okay "
"But As long her competitions are much weaker than her" Gohan quickly said,Goku thought it was a bit odd,he always thought that the mother is the overprotective one,but still he's pleased that Gohan will let Gine enter.
Chi-Chi wasn't that happy either ,she always wanted Gine to be a girly girl studying and working on her talents instead of beating ppl up.
-/-
Fireworks was fired into the air to celebrate the 26th tenkaich budokai
Everyone wrote their names to get placed in line,everyone watched with who they will be paired up with,Goten looked around wondering who that guy is,a man caught his eye and he gave Goten an I love you sign and Goten felt he heebe jeebies all over his spine.
Did that dude just flirted with him? Goten was in disbelief,this is the first time in his whole life that another dude hits on him and it creeped him out.
"You're not entering?" Vegeta asked Goku.
"No, I wanted to give others a chance of winning," Goku said.
"What?" Vegeta said as his face turned grim.
"Besides If we are going to fight we need to do it somewhere far away from civilization," Goku said hinting that after the tournament is over that they'll fight.
Vegeta smiled in return, "Whatever you say"
-/-
The kids division started first and Gine was ready fasting her belt like her grandfather used to do,she's warm hearted and feisty and a Goku hopes that she'll continiue to show interest in her training.
Goku wished her good luck,Trunks also watched Gine marching to the stadium.
He was also a bit anxious for her wellbeing but he knows Gine will do great
Erasa cheered gine on and looked at Gohan's troubled face, he was red with building up axiety.
"Aww Gohan" Erasa chuckled levitating up to give him a peck, "Don't be alarmed,Gine is not an ordinary child"
"She's a Saiyan just like you" Erasa smiled at him.
Erasa's soothing voice calmed Gohan was right Gohan gave a heartfelt peck in return and moved towards the stadium where Gine was waiting for her fight to begin.
"Gine give everything you got!..Daddy loves you!" Gohan said proud, Gine blushed feeling happy that Gohan is finally letting go of his anxiety that his Daughter might get hurt. sure Gohan is not completely calm he's still worried but life is too short to live in a bubble of fear.
and is thankful for having a beloved wife that keeps on reminding him of Gine needs this experience to grow as a fighter,and thank goodness she doesn't have to face any adults or Gohan might faint.
Meanwhile at the adult division the saiyans reached to the top 10 of the tournament
Goten lost to Trunks but he didn't seem to mind, He was proud of Trunks for not cheating his way to victory even when Trunks was close to defeat,he followed the rules with honor. Goten was proud of him for showing a mature side of him. Trunks carefully walked up to Him hoping he didn't upset Goten for not holding back.
But Goten was anything but Angry.
Goten reached his hand to trunks to help him get back up at his feet. Trunks was startled but then grabbed his best friends hand,
Goten smiled, "I'm proud of you Trunks..You are the rightful winner. Trunks smiled too and most of his guilt vanished.
they congratulate eachother with an embrace, Trunks moved to the other round and Goten gracefully accepted his defeat as he stepped away from the stadium.
a short break is being held after the two fought and the Audience couldn't believe what they were seeing,Trunks and Goten had one hell of a fight that could be guiness book of records..
Trunks was out of his thought when he heard footsteps run past him
"Gran Papa" Gine said happy running up to Goku. She hugged his leg nuzzling her face in it happy,
"Hey girl hey" Goku greeted gentle picking her up and Gine attacked Goku's face with multiple affectionate smooches.
"No Gine haha that tickles"Goku said holding her in arms length. "Papa..Onii-chan" Gine said happy I'm in the last 4 of the junior devision"
"That's my girl" Trunks said holding his hands up so that Gine can leap into Trunks embrace.
Trunks looks down smiling kindly at the small bundle, he adores her and accepted her as a member of his family as soon as he held her.
as a newborn baby Gine stopped being fuzzy right away when she was placed out of the crib and into his arms,She let out a big yawn nuzzled into his chest dosing off.
Like she knew her big brother is with her.
that's one of these rare moments he never wants to forget, and Trunks became a tad protective of Gine like Gohan was to him.
Well actually Gohan is still protective over Trunks making sure he won't do anything stupid and stay on the right path,and do well in training combined with college. Without Gohan and Goku to guide him he would have turned unproductive and lazy.
"Yer proud of me?" Gine asked pointing to herself.
"Very" Trunks smiled at the child tightening his hold around her and let her sit on one of his shoulders.
But then he felt his gut stir when he looked the scoreboard where the names are written down.
*Son Gohan versus Trunks* was written,
After the break it will be the two of them,and backing out of the tournament will result in receiving disappointment looks from his Father so that's not an option.
"I might have not suprassed him but facing him makes me feel so frightened..that new form of his is so intimidating.."And who knows how much he gained in strength"
"After the break I will have to face him" Trunks Thought and it felt like the longest hour of his life.
"Papa" Gine said happy pointing at him and Trunks felt nauseous with stress that throbs in his stomach.
Trunks swallowed placing Gine down but kept her close,
"Gohan..after the next round we have to face eachother..I don't know If I can do this"
Gohan sensed flourishing anxiety in his ki,"Trunk just stop it,"
"Our fight is nothing personal and no matter who wins" Gohan said,Trunks briefly advertised his eyes to the really didn't want to face any of his friends.
Gohan made him look back up,
" Ill try not to go beyond Mystic, and besides If you can face Black all by yourself then facing me will be a peace of cake"
"But..Trunks said.
"No buts..You will do great..I know so" Gohan said his eyes sparked with excitement for their battle acting a bit like Goku giving tough love.
Trunks nodded trying to see the good things in facing eachother,.
-/-
The accouncer said their respectful names, "Im this corner all the way from mount Paozu! And the son of the greater Martial artist this word has ever known "Son Gohan!" was beamed in the microphone.
Gohan felt at ease,atleast a few people know how great his Father is.
"And in this corner, the son of the intelligent woman ever alive, born and raised in Central City..Trunks briefs!"
They stood face to face,everyone clapped,Trunks was in thoughts but snapped out when he heard the gong ring, Their battle has started but he wasn't ready at all.
Gohan turned into mystic and it looks like it has been improved,he's even stronger than Super Buu, and Trunks braced himself.
Gohans whole mannerism changed in his Mystic form,from humble to a bit cocky.
The see through aura faded and Gohan charged towards Trunks.
The audience couldnt follow their movement,but Goku did,almost regretted not entering since this fight was ferocious.
It sounded like thunder in the sky as their blows collided.
Trunks jabbed him across his face and punched him again but it didn't even make Gohan move,Gohan caught his fist in reflex like he's no longer himself.
Gohan's eyed locked with his and let out a burst of ki from his chakra to almost knock Trunks backwards, When Trunks got his composure Gohan attacked smacking him against the ground.
Trunks received a vicious beating but not something he couldn't handle.
He wiped some blood that dripped down his face away and nonchalantly dropped his torn vest on the ground,revealing a black tank top that was similar to the one Future Trunks hadn't on.
He breathed out and opened his eyes turning into a Super Saiyan blue,his God Ki dominated his and everyone looked on,they couldn't believe this,and wondered if these were MR Satans students since he has been bragging on tv that he has magical powers.
Gohan teleported above the arena with Trunks following,
"Yaah!" Trunks yelled sending his fist towards Gohan, Gohan blocked with both hands,
and both engaged in a barrage of assault in the air, Gohan managed to grab Trunks foot in the mid air brawl and takes him for a spin like he did with Buu.
Trunks braced himself and managed to break free with his aura from Gohans death grip.
And with the free leg Trunks kicked him across the face,sending a Buster canon on his way and dodged it by moving to the side.
"Damn this guy is fast" Trunks said amazed and freaked out at the same time,he even beats the speed of his instant transmission.
Trunks was send flying during the power build up, Gohan turned into the advanced form of Mystic.
his feet touched the brick fence but the referee didn't see that because he was busy cowering from the Ki impact.
When the blinding light faded Trunks has already teleported himself a distance away,Gohan looked up in shock when Trunks gathered energy for a huge finish buster,and it was already send his direction.
Gohan felt he's losing his grip on the Finish buster,
Gohan accidentally touched the ground when a large part of the arena fell apart as he turned into Super Saiyan spirit,and destroyed it with his Kamehameha counter attack,
Everyone panicked when Gohan's Snow White Aura reached towards the audience but it didn't harm them.
Some children even tried to grab it but it was like snow in form of thick fog.
Trunks looked amazed, Gohan has mastered the form, creating less of an impact but his strength has increased tremendously.
Gohan accepted defeat,their battle wasn't over yet but he lost to Trunks,
But Gohan didn't care,and came up to Trunks in the air, the audience looked up at them in shock.
"Congrats" Gohan said looking at Trunks proud.
Trunks smiled in return shaking his head, "No Gohan, I should be congratulating you"
"What do you mean?" Gohan said confused.
"I touched the fence during our fight,I was out of the ring so that makes you the winner" Trunks said.
Gohan knew Trunks always has been an honest lad but he was surprised that he admitted his defeat while he could easily reptended it never happened,but cheating your way to victory is the same as losing for a warrior.
Gohan and Trunks lowered down and congratulated eachother as brothers,
He felt Trunks tremble in his hold,and eyed Trunks a bit alarmed.
"I'm a bit shaken,my gosh I was so nervous" Trunks was also relieved that he didn't have to fight Gohan in his ultimate form,
"You did great Trunks-kun I'm proud of you, I always will be" Gohan said from the bottom of his heart.
The announcer wanted to declare Trunks as the winner but Trunks explained what happened,and the announcer corrected himself.
"We'll continiue this when there are no people around" Trunks said happy as they lowered down hopping off the broken arena.
And Gohan agreed, he smiled placing an hand around Trunks shoulder as they met with their families.
No matter how many times they have to compete against eachother, they are never nervous among eachother because their Mutual respect Always stays the same.
Erasa brought some spare Gi clothing just in case since Saiyan battles are very intense,even tho she enjoys seeing her husband fight,Gohan adores her for thinking ahead,
He got pulled aside along with other Z fighters and a female journalist asked what's his secret to a long lasting marriage since they still behave as love birds, All Gohan could say is love each other with the mind not with the heart since feelings will change or completely disappear, And the second rule is to honor your marriage everyday.
After Chi-Chi loudly shoo ed the brown nosing journalists away from her son and Husband the gang could finally eat until the next round starts,
-/-
Its been only a week since the tournament ended,days peacefully went by but the gang still remained prepared since their role as defenders of the Earth will never end.
But that doesn't mean there is no time for relaxation,as Goku always told them,resting is just as important as training.
Trunks and his 2 other Saiyan friends hung out at the beach,Goten couldn't join much to his dismay.
He's been skipping school and he need to be at school every single day or else he won't graduate.
Gohan felt a bit disappointed with his brother and blamed himself for not paying much attention to his studying.
He keeps on forgetting that he's not like Trunks,All Gohan has to do is remind Trunks that he needs to study and he does it,Goten turned into a slacker but atleast he's making up for it now and after College he'll help him study 1 hour a day until he's back on track.
Time has flown by they are all grown up but they are still here,together as a group.
Gohan and his friendship is still strong and has passed the test of time,he always used to hear from others like
"Just wait until Gohan gets a girlfriend,gets married,have a kid ect. But already has a family and never wavered from his promise.
Trunks could finally let go of his fears. And it's a liberating feeling.
Goku's stomach started growling waking Gohan up who took a nap under the shadow.
Goku whined that he's hungry and Gohan let a capsule poof.
There was cold beverages and food that could feed a village.
"Snack attack" Trunks beamed stuffing his face along with Gohan and Goku,
Their bellies were filled with content,Gohan brought along heaps of capsules with food in it to still their monsterous apetite,
Trunks wanted to say thank you to Gohan,for always being there,even when they argue everything goes back to normal like it never happened,and say sorry for the times he doubted Gohan,thinking he'll turn shallow like the vast majority of people.
He was terrified when Gohan told that he had a new girlfriend and remained distant towards Erasa until he got to know her and what a strong woman she is,She's an psycologist now and even offered him free counselling,he calls her Onee-san and he's happy that Gohan is with her since his previous girlfriend is nothing but grief.
But Gohan knows that Trunks is thankful for everything Gohan has done and there is no need to bring up his past insecurity anymore. Trunks swallowed the last bite of chow and grabbed another plate.
"Gohan thank you" Trunks smiled. "Yer welcome I always knew these are your favorite dishes" Gohan said.
"And also for everything else...You're the best older brother I could have wished for,without you I would have turned into a cocky self entitled prick" Trunks said.
And that humbled Gohan alot. "You too Goku-san you're the Father figure I always needed" Trunks added.
Goku nodded happy and made sure he swallowed everything before he spoke.
"We love you too Trunks-kun,You're like a 3rd son to me" Goku said nonchalant,Trunks felt euphoria knowing Gokus feeling is mutual.
"All right guys let's go for a swim" Goku rised to his feet and ran towards the ocean as he left his shirt behind.
"Dad! You just ate. "Hey!" Gohan beamed.
"yay woohoo!" Goku beamed jolly as he jumped down
"He never listen" Gohan said lowering his arm, and looked at Trunks who was also slipping out of his clothing.
"Trunks-kun I dont want you to become nauseous " Gohan said.
"You're coming or not?" Trunks asked and teleported to the Ocean letting himself fall into the water.
Gohan huffed feeling a bit ignored, but then again they mean no harm.
"I'll wait for an hour" Gohan said,but when he heard Goku and Trunks roar with laughter and have splash war he couldn't ignore the urge to join. Risking the chance of getting sick is worth it because who knows what kind of villain will target Earth next.
Every moment must be celebrated even during training.
He folded his shirt on the beach toīwel neatly and jumped off the rock falling down creating a large tidal wave.
They played in the water like children as if the Earth is their playground.
Gohan was floating on his back,and realized that life is beautiful,not because of the money he's earning but because he still sharing it with people who loved him when he had nothing,and always had his back.