Chi-Chi arrived from the local shop and bought some fridge magnets you can use to place paper on it and some sticky notes with pens for Trunks.
She left them on the table and went upstairs, she hopes Trunks can adapt to a new habit.
"Trunks dearest" Chi-Chi said smiling as opened the door after knocking.
Trunks rolled her eyes moving away from the comic book he's reading.
"What?" Trunks responded.
"I wanted to talk about the other day when you left the house" Chi-Chi began.
"Yeah go on.." Trunks said
"I'm not used to my guests leaving without a word, so can you leave a sticky note on the fridge?" Chi-Chi asked.
"No.." Trunks snapped.
"Why? It only takes a second of your time to.."
"Because I said so" Trunks said moving his gaze from her and continued reading his comic book.
Chi-Chi snatched it away and Trunks was visibly annoyed.
"Oi!"
"Give it back!" Trunks got up.
"Not until you show some respect boy, You should be thankful that you are allowed to stay here" Chi-Chi snapped back.
"I don't want to stay here! I never asked to come here but here I am!" I have no say in anything and all you stupid people do is making me dislike you a lot more than ever" Trunks yelled.
"Nobody is stopping you" the door is right there" Chi-Chi said.
"And you can go to hell, !" Trunks said reaching for his bag.
"You won't get a penny from capsule Corp for all the crap you middleclass scum put me through" Trunks Yelled
He stormed passed her and Chi-Chi couldn't say anything further. She was tired of arguing with Trunks all the time.
Money didn't matter because with the dragon balls she can wish a fortune if it truly was needed but Trunkses outburst didn't stir well.
Maybe she shouldn't have yelled.
After slamming the door Trunks was ready to leave, he might have to walk for hours but he didn't care, everything is better than stay here.
He longs to go home, with his luxury where things can go his way in peace. He didn't want to admit it but he did felt like a jerk for insulting Chi-Chi's profession.
"But it's her fault for bossing me around, she had no right," Trunks said out loud to justify his behaviour.
"Hey, it's good to see you are done packing" Gohan smiled.
"Sorry?" Trunks said.
"I asked mother if we could go Camping, didn't she tell you?" Gohan mentions.
"Uhh.. yeah" Trunks lied, he didn't want to talk about the argument that took place.
"We're going to the shops to buy a tent, you're coming or you want to wait at home?" Gohan offered.
"No I'll go with you guys" Trunks said.
-/-
Before they made the trip Gohan wanted to have dinner at a restaurant, Trunks didn't understand why they couldn't just fly over there but Gohan doesn't want to be spotted by humans.
Trunks sulked as he has to walk all the way to the Restaurant, he's complaining and fussing like it's a huge distance while it's just a 5 minute walk.
Trunks misses the families limousine the most. It was cold and he was not having it.
Trunks noticed Gohan walk over to a restaurant that looks similar to McDonald's and he didn't follow them anymore.
"You call this a restaurant?" Trunks cupped his hands yelling at Gohan.
Gohan looked behind him, and Trunks was fuming.
"What is it now?" Gohan wondered.
"I don't want to go in there, that place looks like shit, and I bet the food tastes shit too!" Trunks raged.
Trunks please, behave yourself" Gohan said quickly.
"No! I won't take one step in that dung hole you call a restaurant!" Trunks said fed up and foot stomped back to the jet.
He went inside closing the door containing his rage using profanity language.
Trunks looked beside him when he heard footsteps coming his direction.
"Are you going to act this way the whole trip?" Gohan asked.
"I want a classy dinner" Trunks said in a mumble still visibly annoyed, and folded arms firmer.
Trunks won't budge until he gets his way,
"Suit yourself" Gohan shrugged.
Gohan just went inside, he'll have a take away instead, maybe the islands will make Trunks grateful for once.
Or maybe not, he'll probably complain that the marshmallows are from a cheap brand or the tent has no airconditioner..
"Onii-san, maybe we should find a fancy restaurant" Goten said.
"No, there is no need to spend that much money for the things we can get for free at home" Gohan said.
"Trunks just have to accept it" Gohan said.
"But What if Trunks pays for us?" I always wanted to enter a fancy restaurant, and Trunks will stop sulking" Goten said, he stuttered a bit and seemed anxious.
"It's a win-win situation for both of us" Goten added.
"Fine" Gohan said and stepped out of the restaurant.
"Yay! Awesome" Goten said
"Trunks-kun!" Goten said tugging the earpiece off
"What? I'm listening to my song!" Trunks whined.
"Good news, Onii-san will let you pick a restaurant but only if you want to pay for it" Goten said.
" That's the smartest thing you ever suggested" Trunks sneered at Gohan to get back at him for ignoring his wishes.
Gohan didn't respond despite feeling temperamental and decided to take the backhanded compliment not personal.
"I don't know any good restaurants around this subhuman town, oh wait the GPS!" Trunks said.
"There is Atleast one 5 star restaurant in Mount Paozu, it's a long trip but worth it" Trunks said.
Gohan looked at the GPS and it was only a short distance flight from their current location.
"Whatever you say, can you promise to behave when we have dinner there?" Gohan said becoming desperate.
"Ofcourse" Trunks said
"I'll have a huge buffet, " Trunks said "I hope there is an all you can eat option. "
And Goten never heard of that and felt hungry already.
Gohan put the jet on autopilot so that he could read a book in the meantime.
Trunks looked from the window as the jet hovered above the frosty trees.
There are area's in Mount Paozu where it never snows, Trunks has never been on an Island without resorts before and couldn't wait to get off.
"Are we there yet?" Trunks asked.
No, we just took off a second ago" Gohan said, amused at Trunks unusual question.
"How long will it take?" Trunks asked.
"Just a short while, the shops won't close until nighttime so there is plenty of time." Gohan said lightening up the mood.
Mount Paozu disappeared behind the fog, and Trunks wished they could land already.
"Are we there yet?" Trunks huffed,
"No not yet the East district is still some kilometers away" Gohan said.
"Are we there yet?" Trunks looked out of the window.
"No Trunks" Gohan said briefly looking over his shoulder and then back to the cloudy atmosphere.
"Are we there yet?" Trunks asked a minute later.
"NO! Trunks just knock it off.. Listen to one of your songs in the meantime" Gohan said.
"No I won't wait! Just fly faster" Trunks whined like a child hitting his fists on Gohans back.
"Stop it! or you can walk back to Mount Paozu" Gohan barked.
Trunks became silent, he pouted the whole way to the city but atleast he can clear his mind with buying some stuff.
Trunks fussed when they made a side stop but Gohan ignored him, Trunks calmed down when he noticed some gadgets he always wanted to buy, such as a portable Wifi device.
When they got what they need they took off again, Trunks remained quiet when he could finally play a game online and remained well behaved during the trip to the restaurant.
They entered and it was huge, the doors were made out of glass, beautiful chandeliers that lit up the whole atmosphere.
Waiters and waitresses were formally dressed,
But Trunks didn't really like how it looks from the inside, Trunks looked around and huffs, even this area reeks off poor people.
This is the best they can get at the moment.
"Let's find a table" Gohan said looking over his shoulder at Trunks, and Goten picked a table near the window, But Trunks didn't follow them, instead he wandered else where.
Gohan checked the menu but Trunks wasn't with them, assuming he went to the bathroom Gohan sat down ordering something.
Gohan was amazing with how pricey everything was, so he ordered the cheapest meal on the menu, Goten didn't mind ordering some ribeye steak, and already ate all of the appetisers.
Trunks noticed a small caferia where they sell cakes, Happily he spoke to a cashier named Becky.
"I want the Blackforest cake" Trunks said chipper and placed money on the counter.
"Sorry, the Black Forest cake is sold out, you can have another cake of your choice"
"How about vanilla cake?" she offered when Trunks shot daggers at her.
"What ? are you kidding me?" Trunks said offended.
"Vanilla cake is for losers! I want the expensive stuff" Trunks cried out throwing a fit.
Gohan went looking for Trunks but could hear him whailing miles away, Gohan tensed up seeing Trunks making a whole scene and the stores manager was present.
"I Want the Black Forest cake now! " Trunks complained.
"But I.. There isn't anything left" the manager claimed
"Then get it! " Trunks argues back," You have no respect for a paying customer!"
"Trunks-Kun what's this all about ?" Gohan grabbed his shoulder making him turn around.
"Sir please calm him down" The chasier said to Gohan
"I apologise for disrupting the peace, We'll leave now" Gohan said feeling embarrassed. All this hullabaloo over a cake, His day couldn't go any worse.
Ppl gave him weird looks, How could that lavender haired boy have such poor manners while the other boy is so polite and calm? could be heard in the crowd.
"Are you the kids father?" The manager asked.
"No Ofcourse not" Gohan spoke up,
And reached for Gotens hand to leave the restaurant,
Well there goes his dinner,
they walked until they were further away from the restaurant and Gohan felt Now was the time to have a word.
He lowered to his level, "Trunks-kun you made me look like a fool infront of a whole crowd, what were you thinking behaving this way?" Gohan asked.
"She was being rude, none of the staff members was bothered to get more blackforest cake, or even try to compensate for the disservice, If something runs out they should have the courtesy to get more. "
" I've never been treated so poorly as a customer" Trunks pouted.
"I understand you feel disappointed, but can you also admit that you were acting out of line?" If you are hungry then don't take it out on other people" Gohan said after he heard Trunkses stomach roar.
"It's still their fault" Trunks refuses to budge.
Gohan glanced at Goten who just shrugged his shoulders, he hoped that Trunks would enjoy spending time outside Mount Paozu.
"All right," Gohan said, "Can you be at your best behaviour when we arrive at the camping site?" He was losing patience with Trunks but doesn't want to let it be known.
Trunks nodded still being sore about not having the cake he wanted. Gohan tried a different restaurant, a Chinese all you can eat buffet, maybe this will make up for it.
And this time it was a success, Trunks enjoyed everything that was served and is a lot easier to deal with when he got his stomach full.
And had heaps of variations of Black Forest cakes,
Gohan feared he might complain because it wasn't a 5 star restaurant but to his surprise Trunks was cooperative.
-/-
"We are here" Gohan said
"Wow" Trunks said in awe, from above it looks so mesmerising, never in his wildest dreams did he witnessed such a gorgeous turquoise coloured ocean, and the sand was almost as white as snow.
Trunks enjoyed the view from above, the beach was so white, and the Ocean has all kinds of bright blue shades.
He didn't know that Mount Paozu has such pretty beaches, and the palm trees were swaying in the wind.
Trunks didn't want to wait until the jet landed and opened the doors, When he hopped from the aircraft he jogged around the island,
"Trunks-kun don't go too far" Gohan beamed.
But he was already out of sight, Aslong Gohan can still sense him it probably will be fine,
he places a capsule on the ground and a tent like house poofs out of the dust cloud The inside had a lot of space and there were small bedrooms where they can stay in.
"Onii-san I'm happy we came here" Goten said as he plopped on the bed next to Gohan.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Gohan smiled .
"Yeah, but I'm happy because Trunks likes it here, when he's not having a good time I feel like I'm incompetent" Goten said.
"Aww why?" Gohan asked sitting up.
"He's my friend, I should do my best to make him feel content. "
"You are already doing your best, we all are.. Trunks is a bit spoiled rotten due to his rich upbringing so don't take it to the heart" Gohan said.
"I'll try" Goten said,
"Besides Trunks can change, with patience he will see for himself that he won't get far in life remaining this way" Gohan said not giving up the possibility that he'll be virtuous and humble.
Gohan already got the fireplace up, But didn't want to have dinner without Trunks,
He can't be too far away but he had to see if Trunks was all right.
Gohan leaped up in the air scanning the area from above,
"Now, where are you ?" Gohan said to himself as he tried to pick up Trunkses Ki, he must have wandered off further than Gohan thought but remained calm.
Despite finding Trunks very unlikable he did felt uneasy not knowing where to look for him. Or if he's all right.
Gohan groaned, He told him not to wander off too far away,
With Trunks it's like talking to a brick he just never listens.
After flying further away into the Valley he finally caught up,
Gohan sensed him on a different island sitting by himself. Relief made Gohan forget about his frustration.
"Trunks over here!" Gohan greeted ready to take him back to the tent.
Trunks turned around watching Gohan land,
Gohan was happy that he found Trunks and he walked towards him.
"It's about time" I've been waiting here forever" Trunks complained.
"What do you mean?" Gohan asked puzzled.
"I lost the way and I was waiting for you to find me" Trunks fussed. "My feet ache and you were probably doing nothing while I was here finding a way to get back before sunset"...
"I told you not to wander off" Gohan argues back. Why does he always act like others need to come to his rescue right away when he got himself into this?
"Yeah well... I don't care!" Trunks whined.
"I want to go now"
"Sure..." Gohan said grabbing his wrist and they levitated.
"Can you show me how to fly?" Trunks asked.
"I might If you weren't so hard to work with" Gohan mentioned.
"Hey!... " Trunks pouted. "I..I mean.. sorry.. It would be nice If I could fly too" Trunks changed his attitude when he remembered that asking for something politely will make Gohan do you a favour.
"I get that I'm difficult, but I feel like it's the only way to guard my boundaries." Trunks admitted.
In response Gohan held him up higher and carried him in one arm, Gohans frame was warm, it was kind of soothing and automatically Trunks rested his temple against his shoulder.
"It's okay, but you don't have to guard your boundaries with impoliteness, sure it's the easiest way to make others back off but you also create so much animosity among your peers" Gohan said.
"I want to understand where you are coming from, I want to help you,but I can't if remained a closed book" Gohan said.
And Trunks looked down, they were higher than he thought and the view was great, they were above the palm trees and could see the tent in the distance.
"I don't know how, " Trunks said.
"I mean opening up to people, I usually remain by myself that home, Mom is always working, Dad doesn't care about feelings," Trunks said.
"Start by talking about your day, what the highlights are and what could have been better" Gohan said understanding.
Trunks nodded. "Thank you.. for having me at Mount Paozu..I'm probably the worst guest ever but your patience truly is a virtue. " Trunks said.
"Well you are not the worst" Gohan smiled and reminded himself that he has flying lessons scheduled tomorrow after school, Trunks is an angel compared to people who blackmail others but when it's over he'll be more discreet when he has transform in public again.
Goten already got dinner on the fire place ready, and the gang ate outside under a star filled heaven, Trunks burned all the marshmallows but Goten was courteous and gave Trunks his for another try.
Trunks didn't feel like going back to Gohans house, He likes the open air feeling a lot better, and for once he truly felt free,but also content. Like your freedom and health is all that matters.
-/-
They came back from the camping trip early in the morning.
And Trunks waited for a moment to speak to Chi-Chi alone since an uneasy knot remained in his stomach.
"Hey" Trunks said short. And Chi-Chi placed her book down waiting for a long overdue apology.
"What I said the other day... It wasn't cool to insult you like that,.. eventhough you deserved it" Trunks said but Chi-Chi knew he said that because deep down he doesn't like feeling guilty for his wrong doing and always try to justify his behaviour on the faulty characteristics of others.
"It's okay, how was camping?" We can talk about it over dinner" Chi-Chi narrowed her eyes with a happy smile.
Trunks bit his lip and sincere guilt started to surface. His eyes watered. "I'm sorry.." Truly I am" Trunks said and Chi-Chi held her arms out towards him,
He went over to her side quick and almost clomped her in tears, "I just miss home" my mom..dad.." Trunks hiccuped,
"It's okay, I understand.. I'm glad we had this talk" Chi-Chi said as she placed a hand against his scalp rubbing it.
Being hugged with a kindness he doesn't deserve never felt so great, Trunks went mellow in Chi-Chi's embrace as he cried for his mother.
Her heart goes out for Trunks, behind all that rudeness hides a boy who just wants to be accepted,
Chi-Chi pushed him back a little,
"Don't cry" Chi-Chi said brushing his tears away.
"I was wrong too for yelling, I'll try to work on my patience better" Chi-Chi said and stood up.
"Come on," Chi-Chi said holding his hand
"We're going to the store and you can choose what he'll have for dinner" will you also help me prepare it?" Chi-Chi said.
"Sure anything for you" Trunks said brushing the last tear away, Chi-Chi narrowed her eyes smiling and walked together like they never had any trouble getting along.
During dinner Trunks was a bit quiet, he wasn't complaining about the simple food that has been served and hopefully things will go better from now on
Gohan felt a little sorry for the boy, deep down he just to be noticed by his dad,
When it was time for bed Trunks didn't feel like sleeping alone, for once in his life he felt lonely, a type of loneliness he doesn't want to grow up with.
Despite not liking it here very much in the beginning it's slowly starting to change, Gohan did a lot for him but always act like it's not enough, and knows that Nobody will like him and end up being a loner like this father one day,
Maybe it's time to do something back. It's never too late to change, with that Trunks Got Up very early in the morning to fetch firewood so that the others don't have to do it, instead of going to the city to get breakfast he tried to do something himself.
Gohan was the first one to wake up, and noticed that the firewood has been neatly chopped, he shrugged and focused on making breakfast, a moment later Gohan came towards Trunkses room, he's been very quiet for some reason,
"Trunks breakfast is ready.. are you okay?" Gohan asked and noticed Trunks making his homework out of his own initiative,
Gohan was surprised, now he knows how his mother feels when Dad did something completely out of character.
"Hi" Trunks greeted.
"Hi, Come downstairs " Gohan said and left.
He heard Trunkses footsteps coming after him. "Did got the firewood ready?" Gohan asked.
"Yeah.."
"This isn't like you at all" Gohan pointed out.
Trunks inhaled, he doesn't like saying sorry but he has to, for all the nuisance.
" I'm sorry for being such a dork from the beginning" Trunks said, "I thought maybe If I remain on my best behaviour I can make the best of things here" Trunks said.
"Now that's the spirit," and it's okay Trunks-kun, I hope from now on you'll be involved with us more" Gohan mentioned.
"You still want to hang out with me?" Trunks asked surprised,
"Yeah, it's not too late for new chance" Gohan mentioned.
Trunks felt like he doesn't deserve it but gladly takes it.
Trunks was at his best behaviour during training and didn't ignore Gohan when he asks something,
There was no complaining when he had to do chores or simple breakfast.
If only he was like this from the start.
" ieh-tah-dakki-mas" all 4 said.
Chi-Chi noticed the new attitude too, Trunks usually eats before they blessed their own food, but now he said itadakimasu with glee.
Today he even washed his own plate instead of just hopping off the table and leave without a word,
"Did you enjoy dinner Trunks-kun?" Gohan asked.
"Yeah, your mother is a good cook" Trunks said.
"I uh had a lot of fun camping, I've never seen such a pearly white beach before and it's free of charge" Trunks said.
"And It will be if humans won't find out about those islands, I like it that way since Nature has no owner" Gohan said.
"If humans build their resort there I'll just blast it" Trunks said nonchalant. "That will leave a clear message"
"Let's keep that as a last resort" Gohan said, he doubts Trunks will listen.
"So flying lessons starts tomorrow right?" Trunks asked.
"Right" Gohan agreed.
"Good I'll see you later" Trunks said.
"Where are you going?" Gohan asked.
"To see Dad, for gravity training" Trunks said.
"Isn't that a bit too soon?" Gohan wondered,
"It's not, At least not to dad" Trunks said and grabbed his bag.
"Bye" Trunks said walking out.
"Be careful" Gohan said,
Trunks behaved excellent he improved a lot but didn't want to get used to it.
Chances are high that he'll relapse,