Trunks woke up early and met with Gohan on the same spot, Goten came a few minutes later and both showed enthusiasm to continue with their flying lesson.
Trunks was a natural talent and picked it up quicker than Goten,
Trunks could already fly, he took off in the air and Gohan followed him to observe.
They were so high and Trunks came a little nervous,
"Trunks don't look down" Gohan said grabbing his shoulders, and Trunks kept his his up.
"All right now channel your Ki until a white aura appears out of your Chakra. " Gohan said.
"With that you will be able to control the speed"
Trunks focused, the white aura appeared but then it faded.
"No..I can't" Trunks huffed defeated.
"You did well Trunks-kun" Gohan said. "You almost did it on your first try"
Trunks nodded happy and seemed visibly tired.
"Come on" Gohan said offering his shoulders
Trunks held on with his legs around Gohan's waist and went down, Trunks felt his stomach tightened when Gohan lowered down with speed, it was like being on a roller coaster ride.
Trunks climbed down and eyed Goten, Goten was cheerful as ever, he wasn't even a bit envious that Trunks mastered to fly much quicker.
Trunks was humbled,
"You can rest here, I'll continue with Goten" Gohan said
"Thank you," Trunks said.
He looked on as Gohan tried to help Goten getting a few inches further from the ground.
Gohan was encouraging and never lost his patience.
Goten Made a jump in the air but he could only hover a few inches above the ground for only a brief moment.
Trunks felt so happy, he took his first flight and didn't really feel like joining his father for gravity training later on, at the moment he rather stays here.
-/-
Trunks packed most of his things he won't be using for the remaining days left. And walked towards the door. Uneasiness stirred in his gut and looked behind him.
He's going to miss sleeping here.
-/-
Gohan left his room after finishing his assignment and walked passed Trunkses guest room, the rooms looks a little neat now that his electronics are in his suitcase, Gohan couldn't help but feel a little down, he always wanted Trunks to leave and regretted wishing that Trunks would just go and never come back, realising he's been acting cold, maybe things would have been different if He didn't respond so defensive towards Trunks all the time,
But instead of sulking about the things that went wrong he should focus on the new and improved Trunks instead of wasting time fussing about who did this or that wrong.
Gohan then had an idea when he reached the living room, he and his mother will prepare a goodbye dinner for Trunks on his last day, he'll send Trunks and Goten away for errants.
Gohan brightened up, parting ways was always something that Gohan finds hard, but the least you can do is to make sure the ones who are leaving want to come back,
After finding Trunks by himself in the forest He thought it might be a good idea to show Trunks the perks of being self sufficient.
Trunks just found something he really likes, gardening, he dug a small hole and placed a seed that will grow into a mint plant.
He took a break from shovelling and fetched a game that has been on pause.
"How are you feeling Trunks-kun?" Gohan asked
"Slept well?"
"Yeah, I was tempted to play a game but I didn't give in" Trunks said,
"I wished I could move away from it" Trunks said.
"Try to not touch that thing during day time" Gohan said taking the device from Trunkses hands and put it back in his bag.
And then you will work on using it only once a week, building discipline takes time,
" Better small steps than no step at all" Gohan said.
"Yeah.. but what will I do in the meantime?" Trunks wondered.
"I got you something from the store" Gohan said and gave him a package.
"Consider it as an early Christmas present" Gohan said and Trunks looked inside, he pulled out a book and looked in it.
"Eh whats this?" Trunks wondered.
"Sudoku" Not only is it fun but also good for your brain, those are the games you should play everyday," Gohan mentioned and showed him how to do it.
"Can you stay by yourself?" Gohan asked,
"I haven't fetched dinner yet" Gohan said.
"But why can't you just go to supermarkets?" It saves you so much time"
"I know.. " Gohan said
"We rather rely on nature for food than support supermarkets" Gohan said.
"I see, for organic quality meat right?" Trunks said.
"Not just that but the animals live in horrible conditions, trapped in tight cages and such" Gohan said.
"Sure we need meat for strong bones but I still think it's wrong to let animals suffer this much,"
"So its better to hunt, it's healthier for the planet and the animal is free since birth"
"But it's also more healthier for yourself, " Gohan explained.
Trunks then saw things in a much different perspective, he never thought about how animals are treated.
"I don't want to contribute to supermarkets anymore but I don't want to hunt either, it's such a hassle" Trunks said.
"All restaurants in Mount Paozu use meat caught in the wild," Gohan said " but it's also bit pricey so I rather get it for free"
" All right I better get going," Gohan said.
"Wait I wanna come too" Trunks hopped off a log
"I have a feeling I've forgotten something.. " Gohan thought but didn't exactly know what it was, Goten is picking berries for desert, He did his shores but maybe a forest walk alone can refresh his memory.
" Time sure goes quick, "
"Only a few more days left and you can head back home" Gohan said.
Yeah," Trunks said unenthusiastic.
"That's what you wanted right?" Gohan said.
"Yes.. "
"Like a week ago.." Trunks mused.
Trunks froze in his tracks and listen to the birds chirp, the clean thin air is something he doesn't get at the city, the running water you hear is so tranquil.
Gohan looked behind him and Trunks seemed to be in deep thoughts.
"Trunks you're coming?" Gohan wondered,
"Yeah"
Trunks walked after Gohan in silence
"Trunks-kun" Gohan called for the third time and Trunks snapped out of his thoughts.
"You seem a bit absent" Gohan observed.
"What's wrong?" Gohan asked caring.
I'm troubled..kind of.." Trunks said.
"I'm beginning to like having these Forrest walks, get up early for training and see the sun rise.
I miss home but Mount Paozu stole my heart" Trunks admitted.
"I'm finally enjoying my stay, " Trunks said.
"Just now that it's almost time to leave" Trunks said disheartened.
"I understand that feeling, a minimalistic life gets rid of a lot of emotional baggage" Gohan said.
" It's also the reason why I could never live in large city" Gohan said.
"I'm also happy you're having fun" Gohan mentioned,
"Hopefully You'll visit us next time" Gohan said.
"You'll have me back here?" Trunks asked.
"If you want to that is" Gohan said.
"Of course, but I do have a problem with your curfew though" Trunks said.
"Yes but going to bed early has a lot of benefits, you'll build a great immune system, less prone to colds or flue, and most importantly you'll preform better at training" Gohan mentioned.
"Yeah.. I do feel a lot better now that I play games less" Trunks said,
"I was a little worried about you though, I hope you will ditch the unhealthy habits when you get home" Gohan said.
Trunks regret stir Even though though Trunks was a huge pain in the ass Gohan never stopped giving him new chances.
"I still feel guilty for the way I treated you, I don't want to be remembered as a pest"
"Can we please start over?" As friends?" Trunks said.
" Yes," I'll always be a friend"
"Even when times are hectic?" Trunks asked.
"Because.. the reason why I don't want to be close to people is because it's inevitable that we'll grow apart" Trunks said.
"I'm aware of that, it's the reason why I don't grow attached to anyone expect for my parents" Gohan mentioned.
"A handful of friends have grown apart but aslong we can count on each other when it really matters then I'm fine with it" Gohan said.
Trunks nodded and silently followed him.
"I've never seen your Father around.." Trunks said.
"He fell ill and passed away years ago" Gohan mentioned.
"Oh.. that's terrible" Trunks said.
"But he'll be back for a whole day" Gohan said.
"But.. how?" He's dead" Trunks said shocked.
"Good spirits can come back for a day, my father has been one often greatest heroes"
"I can't wait to see him" Gohan said,
Trunks didn't know what to believe, it sounds a bit scary, having someone rise from the dead only for a day.
"Are you serious?" Trunks mention.
"I am, He'll be there at the world tournament, you can see it for yourself I'm not lying" Gohan said.
"Uh right," Trunks shrugged.
It doesn't make any sense..
-:-
At night Trunks puts his electronics away to avoid having the lights keeping him up the whole night,
And went outside, the cricket were chirping and the stars lit up the whole atmosphere.
Gohan placed a Ki ball at the bottom of the river that produced heat, and it warmed up within seconds. it was like they reached to a warm water source.
"Why didn't I think of that?" Trunks said feeling the temperature, it was so warm.
After bathing they sat near a fire roasting food, doing something different for a change.
"You know Trunks-kun I always come here to have a chat with Goten, about his future and that he can achieve anything he wants" Gohan mentioned.
Goten smiled, it's always fun to have motivational speeches before it's bedtime.
Gohan placed food on a stick and noticed a Ki approaching, he didn't see anything and then a tiny hovercraft became visible.
"Gohan your food is burning" Trunks shoved his shoulder.
"Oh crap" Gohan squeaked, his food was black and wasn't edible anymore, regretfully he threw it away and stood up.
"Guys, I'm sorry but I have to go, " Gohan said.
"Why?" Both of them asked,
Trunks recognised the hovercraft,
"Oh It's that blackmailer again.. "
"Yeah, I forgot about flying lessons, " Gohan huffed.
"Want me to beat her up"? Trunks said ready.
"No, No don't do that," Gohan said. " When the world tournament starts its over"
"She promised she'll keep her mouth shut, If I teach her how to fly" Gohan said.
"Dude you're a sucker, you can make that huzzy piss off by exposing her father" Trunks said.
"Just give her a taste of her own medicine " Trunks said.
"I can't find it in my heart to do such a thing" Gohan said.
"Oh well..
"Me and my Dad will enter the Budokai tournament"
"Don't worry about that Bitch you can hang out with us" Trunks said.
"Wait.. You'll be joining too?" Gohan wondered
"Yeah" Trunks said.
"Oh that's great" Gohan said.
"All the other Z fighters will be there too," I can't wait to introduce you to them"
"Okay Trunks I'll take it from here,
"Wait can I go to this Carnival tomorrow ?" Trunks asked and showed him a folder.
" It starts after the reunion is over" Trunks said.
Gohan read through the paper, It ends at 10 pm, it was only a short distance from Mount Paozu and Gohan approved.
"Well.. all right, you can go, " Gohan said and Trunks jumped a bit in the air out of happiness,
"But only if you take Goten with you, and you need to be home half past 10" Gohan mentioned.
Goten's face lit up, he enjoyed the last carnival he attended with Trunks,
Trunks nodded left Gohan by himself, he'll play with Goten until Gohan is done with that huzzy.
Gohan knows that Trunks will probably be home late but at the moment Gohan didn't mind,
He deserves it for being at his best behaviour.
-/-
To escape winter they went to an Island in Mount Paozu that remains at a great temperature the whole year, Trunks and Goten went shopping by themselves and will meet again at the beach Gohan pointed out for them at 2 pm. Gohan trusts that they wil remain out of trouble.
Gohan waited for Erasa to arrive, and a short moment later her hovercraft came into sight, Erasa came out acknowledging Gohan friendly.
Happy to see each other, Gohan hasn't seen Erasa for a few days now but it felt like months,
Erasa has already her swimwear underneath her beach dress and didn't need a changing room,
A moment later Gohan steps out of the changing area, dressed in just a knee length dark coloured swimshorts and Erasa eyes grew a bit.
'My gosh what a build body, why is he hiding all of that in those baggy clothing of his?' Erasa thought.
Gohan smiled approaching her, deep inside he felt he's acting way too ackward,there is something about her that makes him a bit tensed.
Erasa offered her arm for him to grab. He froze a bit in place but carefully held onto it.
He felt uneasy but as they walked on the beach he loosened up,
Gohan face became red when Erasa glanced over her shoulder at him for a brief acknowledgement.
Gohan felt like dork, he wished Erasa would let go of his arm that would at least cease the tightness in his gut,
"The beach" Gohan said and moved away from her hold, "lets swim"
"But I haven't bought anything yet?" Erasa mentioned,
"You can go, I'll wait for you here " Gohan said
Erasa didn't understand why he was acting so strange, or maybe he doesn't like shopping but doesn't want to seem rude.
Erasa shrugged and continued with what she wanted to do,
-/-
Gohan was enjoying the weather, he's not really a beach person but Trunks and Goten are having fun and he could hang out with Erasa, he felt a little bad leaving her shopping by herself, but he feared that he might do or say something weird that might set her off.
Gohan sat up straight if they are all right and noticed Trunks was making a sandcastle but Goten was too far away in the water.
"Goten stay close to the shore" Gohan warned.
Goten looked up when he heard Gohan yell and moved closer and Gohan laid back on the towel.
Moments later He felt someone sit next to him, it was Erasa with bags, "hey" Erasa smiled.
"Hi," Gohan said sitting up. " Uh what did you get?"
"Sun screen and..." Erasa said while looking through her shopping bag "soda"
" I brought some for everyone, and water for you since you don't like soda" Erasa said.
She's so thoughtful, Gohan thought and felt even more bad for leaving her to shop alone.
"Erasa want to shop tomorrow?" I kind of feel like a dork for walking out on you like that" Gohan offered.
"Oh, I thought nothing of it, It'S Okay Gohan-kun..
"I'm aware that guys hate shopping" Erasa brushes it off in high spirits.
They shared a smile and focused on the Ocean
"Goten Im warning you, stay close to the shore or we are going home" Gohan said straight.
Erasa thought it was so adorable, he's so caring and grabbed his hand gently.
Gohan gulped and felt his stomach tighten when Erasa did so.
"Let's join" Erasa spoke "oh wait I'll put some sun screen on you" Erasa said.
Gohan froze like a popsicle when he felt her hands run up and down his back.
Erasa felt him flinch, " I know it's cold but I don't want you to get burned, I'm almost done" Erasa said and moved in front of him to put a swab on his face.
Gohan smiled "thanks..
And Gohan didn't tense up when Erasa grabbed his hand for the second time and both walked towards the sea.
Erasa carefully placed a foot in it, it was freezing but she didn't want to seem like a fuzz.
"Let's jump in, ready?" Erasa said anxious.
They made the water rise and Goten went underwater due to the splash Gohan and Erasa created.
Goten swims towards Gohan and holding on to his shoulder. He brought Goten close.
"Goten I will have a day off from training tomorrow, " Gohan carefully said.
"Oh?" That caught his attention right away.
"I want you to master the art of flight" Gohan mentioned.
"Atleast you'll be safe if you want to swim freely" Gohan smiled "And I don't have to look after you"
"Oh but what about that girl?" Goten asked.
"She can join us" Gohan said.
"But I find her mean spirited, I feel a bit intimidated by her" Goten said.
"Hey she's not mean, maybe she needs time to warm up"Gohan said.
"Me?" Erasa chirped.
"No not you" Goten said. "Videl"
"I promised her to help her with learning uh.. something" Gohan added,
he wasn't really enjoying having her around due to her attitude, it seems like she has relapsed, Videl is becoming rude again. Maybe because he forgot about her
"I hope she'll like me and I might get a date" Gohan said.
"Oh kissy kissy" Goten taunted.
"Shut up" Gohan said and throwed Goten over his shoulder in to the water playfully.
Gohan held Goten's hand while fellow Z fighters walked infront of him with their families he hasn't been to the beach since he could walk.
Trunks and Goten remained under Gohan's watchful eye as they went towards the water.
Sharpener was present at the same beach, they glanced at eachother and had a friendly acknowledgment with a smile before they continued walking the opposite direction.
Gohan rested on the beach towel, happy that everything goes well at college, the beach didn't have a lot of people around and it was the best place to recover from training and studying.
The waves of the beach clashing towards the shore sounds wonderful,just to be sure he looked where Trunks and Goten are playing and they swim in the undeep water.
They aren't allowed to swim off shore when he's not awake, Trunks was used to swim freely but didn't want to Argue with Gohan now that they are on good terms,
Content he closed his eyes again enjoying the warmth,
Happy that they listen to simple orders, atleast for now.
-
Trunks and Goten were walking in front of Gohan at the semi crowded beach, Erasa had to go home but will meet up soon since she'll be around for a short while, she's a good friend.
Gohan was in thoughts and noticed a familiar face, it was Sharpener they acknowledged each other smiling and Gohan moved passed him,
Sharpener looked back, impressed with Gohans build physique, realising that there is more than meets the eye with this calm but athletic teen.
-/-
At the campus Gohan noticed Sharpener standing around announcing his birthday party upcoming Sunday, he had his mates with him who held the invitations for him,
"I know heaps of people are excited to attend my party but unfortunately only cool guys and girls are allowed" Sharpener said.
"So if you are not on the list then there is always another time to step up your game" Sharpener said,
Gohan moved passed the crowd and Sharpener raised his voice when he saw him
"Oi"! He beamed Gohan looked at his direction.
"Get over here" Sharpener said Gohan looked around Incase he was talking to someone else.
There wasn't and Gohan pointed unsure to himself .
"Me?"
"Yes, hurry up and get your invitation" Sharpener said, Gohan was surprised and accepted the invitation.
The crowd who already got an invite looked at Gohan with dislike, he's not part of the A-list students and didn't understand why Sharpner would want him around.
"Guys, he deserves it, Sharpener said.
"Gohan is a lot cooler than you think," Sharpener assures his peers,
"He made sure we won the baseball match,"
"Not only that but he's built like an Ox"
"Seriously guys I've never seen a teenager this ripped and shredded like Gohan before" Sharpener said,
"look" he said to the crowd holding up his finger.
Gohan smiled embarrassed when Sharpner turned towards him knowing what he wanted to do and prevented him from pulling his shirt up.
"Come on show us, " Sharpner said persuading to move Gohans arm out of the way.
"Show us a sneak preview we know you want to" Sharpener coaxed.
And Gohan cooperated, modestly lifting his shirt a little towards his stomach and Sharpner tugged it further up over his chest to show it all off to the jubilant crowd.
The girls did a "OOH" sound. Feasting their eyes on what they see.
"Look at that, " " that midsection, you can do your laundry on these abdominals" Sharpner mention envious.
"How do you get that physique? I'd love to have a chat with you at the gym" Sharpner said.
"We can train after class, you're not busy right?" Sharpener asked letting go.
"Uh. No not at all" Gohan said,
All his friends seem to like him, thanks to Sharpener he's a bit popular now, but didn't feel grateful.
Its all superficial,
-
Erasa was looking at her tablet about the news, a mysterious stranger stopped a bunch of crooks from fleeing,
Erasa turned around the corner noticing Gohan around people, it was the first time ppl really noticed him.
She coul tell he felt a bit uneasy being in the center of attention and she thought it was time to save him.
"Gohan the principle wants to see you" Erasa said.
"Oh? He does?" Gohan blinked, he's probably in trouble for arriving a little late yesterday.
Gohan groaned frustrated but calmed down when Erasa told him it was a little lie to get him away from the jubilant crowd.
"Sorry you had to go through that" Erasa said. "I could tell you felt uncomfortable"
"Yeah a bit, but Sharpnener meant well, they didn't want him to invite me to his birthday party, because well I'm kind of a nerd" Gohan mentioned,
wishing he was cool to impress his crush.
"I wished I was confident like Sharpener though. I mean with that I might get a date" Gohan said.
"Well ppl should accept the way you are from inside" Erasa said looking over her shoulder.
"I know but,..I feel like I won't find anyone if I don't step up my game" Gohan said.
"Well popularity lasts briefly but a good character doesn't. If girls are attracted to you because you are popular then the love and appreciation they have for you is not real" Erasa mentioned.
Gohan smiled, "Why would anyone want to be with a dork like me?"
"There is a right person for everyone," Erasa said gentle.
"Besides I'm still not spoken for" Erasa said.
"Do you like someone?" Gohan wondered.
"Well yes, He's blonde and an amazing individual" Erasa swooned.
"but I haven't had the chance to speak to him" Erasa mentioned.
Gohan assumed that she's talking about Sharpener, and changed the subject right away.
"You'll come too right?" Gohan wondered.
"Yeah, we've been close friends for years" Erasa said.
" I need to get some sunscreen " Your little brother used a bit too much" Erasa mentioned,
"I'll see you tomorrow at class" Erasa said moving on.
"Sure Erasa," Gohan smiled and left the campus, his chat with Erasa gave him another boost to tell Videl how he feels about her.
He could relate to Erasa because like her he has trouble admitting how he feels.
He pictured Erasa and Sharpner together for a moment, Gohan was positive he will be good to her despite being full of himself at times.
And focused his mind on something else, flying lessons, after he helped her how to fly he will tell her.
-/-
Videl smiled happily, "Look Gohan I'm higher than the trees now"
"That's wonderful Videl" Gohan said, she's finally warning up a little, he doesn't know where to begin to tell her how he feels.
"You've picked it up quicker than anyone I helped" Gohan complimented.
"Oh really?" Videl said and ogled Goten with spite, Goten was pretending to be a little chickadee flying around with ease.
"Oh boy" Gohan thought
"One sec" Gohan said and hurried towards Goten,
"Goten can please not show off?" Gohan said.
"But I finally did it, I can fly" Goten stuttered.
"Just do it for me," Gohan urged
"Okay but when can we start training?" Goten whined.
"As soon as Videl leaves I promise"
Videl became reddish with anger and was about to lose it,
"Gohan! Have you forgotten about me??" Videl snapped.
"Oh no I didn't " Gohan said and went to her side.
Goten didn't understand why he tries to impress that mean head, thank goodness not all girls are like her.
-
Videl and Gohan were in mid air, Gohan helped her and unintentionally left Goten completely out of the flying lesson, Videl started a scene that so the kid can stay away from them, she didn't asked for company and prefers private flying lessons from Gohan.
Videl tried to fly forward and there was progress, she flew a bit higher than the clouds and Gohan flied next to her at her speed,
Videl glanced at Gohan in high spirits and she held his hand, Gohan blushed but kept as calm as he could be.
They flied a short distance from the training ground and Gohan moved in front of Videl.
They held both of eachothers hands, sharing a warm glance.
"Videl.. there is something I always wanted to ask you" Gohan began.
"And that is?" Videl asked.
"Well... Do.. Do you like me?" Gohan asked.
"What do you mean?" Videl asked.
"Uh you know.. as a" Gohan stuttered
"A boyfriend?" Videl finished his sentence.
"Yes.. I admire you as a fighter..and"
"Well I like you too " Videl interrupted.
"Does this mean we are together?" Gohan asked.
"Don't push your luck, I don't think you are ready for me.. yet" Videl said cocky.
"It's almost time to head home, now how do I get down from here?" Videl wondered.
Gohan held on her waist and both lowered down, Videl felt happy being around Gohan, no guy has ever made her feel at peace.
"Same time tomorrow?" Videl smiled.
"Yeah.." Gohan nodded.
"Well I better get going " Videl said and wanted to grab for her Capsule,
"Oh wait I can fly home like this right?" Videl said.
"Right, But Stay above the clouds for your safety" Gohan said, Videl gave a friendly salute and went further up in the air.
Gohan waited until she was no longer in sight, his patience still payed off after all, She likes him back. He couldn't wait what else life has in store.
"Finally she's gone" A voice said behind him
Gohan snapped out of his thoughts and looked behind him, Goten appeared from the bushes nonchalant.
"Hey She's not that bad..
" But now we can continue with ours" Gohan said