Trunks was writing things down from his tablet,
"Trunks-kun breakfast is ready, uh.. you're not going to train with your father?" Gohan mentioned.
"I'd love to go but.. I'll stay put" Trunks said. Gohan could tell he's troubled.
"Because?" Gohan added, he wished Trunks would just talk to him.
"Well I have a test coming up, I wasted a lot of time not doing anything so I want to do the right thing this time.." Trunks mentioned.
"When?" Gohan mentioned.
"In two days" Trunks mentioned,
"I had 3 weeks but I didn't.. study.. I didn't care until now," Trunks said.
"It's probably too late to make a difference" Trunks said moving the pencil away assuming it's a waste of time trying to cram everything into his head.
"It's never too late" Gohan said.
"I wished you told me sooner.. but you can still pass for that upcoming exam." Gohan said.
Trunks remained silent, and felt that being irresponsible will not suit him in the long run,
"Go and see your father, you shouldn't skip training" Gohan mentioned.
"But what about.."
"Training makes you study better now get going, It's going to be all right I promise" Gohan said.
Trunks eyed him a bit unsure but decided not to say anything further. He gave a submissive nod and grabbed his bag.
Gohan watched him leave, he couldn't help but feel a little for him, imagine if he could have grown up with them,
He would have taught Trunks so much, and Trunks would have probably been a lot happier, here at Mount Paozu you don't have much but still you are free, something luxury can't provide.
When Trunks comes back he'll show him how to properly study for something.
-/-
At the gravity chamber Vegeta lowered the Gravity level looking over his shoulder at his son who looked like he shaked a large metal stone his his back and could stand up straight again.
"Rest a little" Vegeta mentioned.
" No I'll be fine" Trunks mentioned.
"Besides I'm a super Saiyan now, I can handle Anything" Trunks mentioned.
Vegeta smiled lightly, "I want to train by myself under higher gravity"
"If you can handle 1000 times gravity you can join" Vegeta mentioned.
Gently Vegeta placed his fingers over a cut on Trunkses forehead,
and he could feel a light sting and warmth throbbed at that area.
"Dad what did you do?" Trunks wondered touching where the light injury was.
"It's an old move, "
" Saiyans always used their ki to burn wound shut Incase there is severe bloodloss" Vegeta mentioned..
"I'll show you how to do it one day"
"Leave" We'll train again before the tournament starts" Vegeta said,
but his tone wasn't cold, In fact it's the first time he gave a calm request.
Trunks saw it as a sign that things could still improve and their bond is still in development.
Satisfied Trunks did as he told.
Vegeta let Trunks levitate and was read to fly back.
"Trunks wait" Vegeta said.
Trunks just looked behind his shoulder in response.
"I'm proud of you" Vegeta said.
Trunks perked up "Aww thank you!" But backed away when Vegeta shot him a death glare.
It was too early for a hug, maybe when their bond has improven they can be close like father and son.
It didn't ruined Trunkses spirit, and happily flies back to Mount Paozu after a long shower.
Trunks was just flying a lot of people saw him but he didn't care, he doesn't fear humans and if they try to do something.. well his father can destroy the whole planet of he wants to so humans better back off.
-/-
Trunks landed on the ground, he could tell the difference between the air and back at the city.
It felt like coming back from a long day of work, Trunks spotted Gohan placing a small Ki blast underneath a tub letting it burn.
"Hey Trunks-kun" Gohan greeted "How was training?"
"Great I levelled up with gravity, I'm positive I can defeat you in a sparring match" Trunks said confident.
Gohan smiled, "You can show me later"
Trunks wished Gohan would challenge him but he always respond calm when Trunks wants to fight him.
Not aggravated at all for being called a weakling.
"I made bath ready for you" Gohan said, "I also have breakfast ready"
Trunks already showered but thought it was thoughtful that Gohan prepared things for him so that he can get back and relax. There were towels hanging over the tub and the steam rised to the sky.
"Thanks" Trunks said and Gohan went inside so that Trunks can enjoy the warm water by himself.
When Trunks went inside the large barrel like tub his cold skin warmed up in a second it even stinger with warmth, this was amazing.
He never acknowledged the value of earning rights by carrying responsibilities, yesterday he helped with the household and was rewarded with going to the game hall with a curfew he can live with,
he didn't see the use of being outside until 5 am in the morning, he has a steadier progress now that he goes to bed before 12 and it's a good change,
only on Sunday he'll be outside when everyone at mount Paozu is vast asleep.
like a cheat meal it's needed to stay motivated to do your best and he doesn't want to lose his friends.
They are night owls and unless they change habits and want to hang out at a different time Trunks will never cease sneaking out completely.
-
At Mount Paozu Gohan showed him now to stay focused and what to do to learn as best as possible,
First all electronics need to be put away, and every 20 mins you have a 10 minute break to do whatever.
Grab a glass of water or look at your tablet aslong you get back to studying,
And that's what Trunks did. Gohan introduced Trunks to deconstruct and the recall method.
You learn something and then you will recall what you've learned without looking at your digital book.
That's how you can figure out on what you need to work on,
Trunks learned more from Gohan than those expensive Teachers and it's all for free, Trunks paid attention the whole time and even though Gohan has put aside his own paperwork to help out he didn't mind.
Trunks listens very well now, it's blissful, deep down Trunks is capable of a lot of things, he's quite intelligent if he uses his brain,
the short breaks really helped Trunks, it felt like time wasn't so dreadfully long.
Goten wanted to join Trunks too, it was quiet in the living room as all three of them remained focused on their tasks.
The front door opened and Gohan came in with some soda pops from the local store.
"Gohan Im done" Trunks said showing his home work assignment,
"That's great" Gohan said placing the cans down,
"How about you Goten?" Gohan asked.
"I'm almost done," Goten said not looking away from his paper.
"Trunks I wanted to ask you if you want to get up earlier" Gohan asked.
"Earlier?" Why?
Trunks face wrinkled like he needed to go to the bathroom, he wasn't looking forward to that.
" I want to help you prepare before training starts just to make sure everything will go as planned" Gohan said wanting to be the best tutor he can be.
.
"Okay..
" I'm nervous, " Trunks mentioned.
"I'm nervous for tests too," Gohan mentioned.
"But if you do your best you will get the best results I promise" Gohan said believing in him.
"All right both of you can have a short break and after that I'll help you preparing for that exam" Gohan said.
They reached for the cold drinks and Goten drank everything within seconds.
Trunks was in thoughts, as he held his soda Can.
"Trunks if you don't drink that I will" Goten mocked reaching for the drink.
"Oi!" You better not " Trunks said shielding his can.
"I.. was just in thoughts"
"Because You're troubled?" Goten asked.
"Kind of.. "
"It's the exam right?" Goten said playing with the lid before throwing it in the bin.
"Yeah.."
"I hope lll pass, If I don't then I'm to blame for not doing my best from the start" Trunks said to Goten.
"Will your parents be upset?" Goten wondered.
"Mom will, "
"I already got an E for my previous test and If I fail the other one then I won't go to Hawaii,"
Goten said nothing but gave him a shoulder rub to try and keep Trunkses chin up.
Trunks smiled saddened, "Thanks for being my friend Goten"
"And thank you for being mine even though I lied to you" Goten said acknowledging his own mistake.
"So what will you do now?" Goten said.
"You'll be going home soon, so will you just go back to your old habits?" Goten wondered.
"Not all, I won't quit playing games but I'll be more disciplined, like take my training seriously" Trunks said.
"Oh And go to bed early" Trunks said remembering the most important rule
"Great! Discipline is your friend" Goten said.
"You'll achieve so much more" Goten added.
"I know..
Also I'm loving it here, the bright stars at night, and seeing all these cute animals"
"Sit near the fire pit "
"Stunning sunsets"..
" first it was hard to spend a minute here and the desire to go home was so persistent that it ruined my mood all the time. "
"But not anymore.." Trunks mentioned.
"So you'll visit us again?" Goten asked
"If I'm allowed back then yes" Trunks mentioned.
"Oh wauw that will be awesome, I'll do my best to make you feel like home next time" Goten said.
"No it's okay, My next stay shouldn't resemble a holiday, I mean I did screw up a lot " Trunks admitted.
"Well onions-san always says new changes mean new chances" Goten said not wanting to ditch his plan to give Trunks the best stay ever.
"Thank you," Trunks said not feeling that he deserves it but it's no time to sulk.
It's now or never.
When they arrived back Gohan had their lunch boxes ready, Goten peeked in and was tempted to eat it after smelling the aroma.
"No Goten" Gohan said strict closing the lid and turned off the stove when his own supper was ready.
They ate and Trunks couldn't believe it's already his final days,
Trunks didn't realise how caring gohan is, he always prepare food for them first. Always wanting them to make better healthier choices.
Gohan has been acting like a strict but caring dad, it was heartwarming, while in the beginning he thought it was very annoying and belittling.
"All right guys time for school" Gohan said. And both of them grabbed their lunch boxes.
Goten already went to the nimbus cloud,
"Oh and Trunks.. good luck" Gohan smiled.
Trunks but his lip a little and turned back around to face Gohan uncertain.
"I uh.. I don't know If I'll pass, I mean you helped me a lot but I don't know if it's enough.." Trunks mentioned.
Trunks looked up when he heard Gohan's knee land on the wooden floor.
"Hey," Gohan touched his shoulder lightly.
" I believe in you Trunks-kun, now it's time to believe in yourself" Gohan said.
"You will do great, I never felt so certain" Gohan mentioned.
Trunkses eyes sparked up when he said Gohan believed in him, he smiled a bit seeming a lot more confident.
"Thank you" Trunks said and hurried out of the door,
He was still a little fidgety but felt a new found inner strength,
-/-
Trunks passed the test thankfully, the results were there online and couldn't thank Gohan enough for giving him so many chances.
But it wasn't enough to change the grade on his report card. He only had a C. Only a few more mistakes and he would have failed.
He should have gotten At least a B- in order to make the E on his previous test irrelevant.
Trunks was sad but he couldn't expect a good grade since he only started to take things serious a moment ago.
It's going to be boarding school and Trunks felt miserable, mostly because he did this to himself.
Trunks didn't go back to mount Paozu right away even though he's expected back for supper.
He needed time alone to think..
-/-
"Onii-san I'm home" Goten beamed at the entrance.
"Hey.. " Gohan said placing his paper down nearly near his pencils.
"Where is Trunks?" Gohan asked
" He wanted to stay in the city" Goten said,
"He's in his sulking mood again" Goten shrugged.
Gohan hoped he's okay, if he wasn't running late he would have gone out and look for Trunks.
When he gets home he'll have a word.
"I have to go," Gohan said.
"Where to?" Goten blinked.
"Flying lessons.." Gohan said short.
"Will you ever be done teaching this girl?" Goten wondered.
"It will be over soon" Gohan mentioned.
"Wait can I play outside while you are gone?" Goten wondered.
"Yes But stay in Mount Paozu," Gohan mentioned and took off.
-
Back at central City Trunks Made a call to his mother. He hopes that despite knowing what will come up next he can convince her to at least let him stay at home.
After ringing it got picked up,
A snap was heard and the sensation of the wind and then he heard his mother clearly.
"Hello, Bulma speaking" a voice said.
"Hi" Trunks said ashamed.
"Hello,who's speaking" Bulma asked again.
"It's Trunks" Trunks said.
"Am I disturbing you ?"
" No, " Bulma said.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow morning"
"Mom I wanted to see how you are doing" Trunks said.
"Oh I'm doing fine honey" Bulma said happy,
"I'm almost there" Bulma said as she looked at her surroundings from her jet.
"Have you behaved dear?" Bulma asked.
"No,.. I was very rude most of the time.. but Gohan and I talked things through" Trunks mentioned.
"I know better now mom"
Bulma sighed frustrated, "Well you should have known better from the start."
" You also failed one test, " while you agreed to do your best with both."
" So that means it will be boarding school for a whole year." Bulma scolded.
Bulma prepared herself to get yelled at but Trunks remained silent.
"Trunks, are you there?" Bulma asked to be sure.
"Yes, Mom.. Im sorry, I'm sorry for wishing you dead, no matter how angry I was with you I shouldn't say such a thing" Trunks said.
"I love you, and I love Dad too even though he's not very involved in our lives. " Trunks mentioned.
Bulma tears up but blinked them away keeping her voice steady,
"No I should be sorry, I was never a good mother to you, I was alway a lot but I also did it to provide the best life for you, "
"I can't rely on my fathers wealth forever" Bulma mentioned.
"I understand.." Trunks said.
"I don't deserve any understanding dear, I let you down but I promise I'll make it up" Bulma said.
"Thank you, I want nothing more than spend more time with you and dad" Trunks said.
"I wouldn't want it any other way dear" Bulma said.
"But I can't let you off the hook completely, I'm still disappointed in you for failing that test and misbehaved at my friends house" Bulma mentioned.
"You will have to prove yourself at boarding school " Bulma mentioned.
"I know..but does it really has to be a whole year?" Trunks asked.
"No, only during summer break," Bulma said.
" If you'll behave and only B's on your next report card then we'll make a trip to Hawaii" Bulma said.
"I can live with that, thank you mom I have to go now" Trunks said,
"I need to go, to help with preparing food" Trunks mentioned.
"I'll speak to you soon mom, once again lm sorry" Trunks said.
Bulma didn't expect that hearing from Trunks, he never helped with dinner, and it takes tooth and nail to make him budge.
"Oh right.. say hello to everyone for me there" Bulma mentioned.
"I will, love you bye" Trunks said and ended the conversation.
"I love you too honey, "
" More than I can say" Bulma said,
Relief was present in her system, knowing that she did the right thing. She will have to apologise for Trunkses behaviour but will make it up for them at the reunion.
-/-
Quiet Trunks came back after having a chat with his mother and walked towards the kitchen where Chi-Chi was.
"Hey Trunks, where have you been?" Chi-Chi asked.
" I needed time by myself," Trunks said.
"You didn't pass?" Chi-Chi asked a bit consented.
"I did, I got a C" Trunks said.
"Then everything is fine right?" Chi-Chi wondered.
"I messed up one grade, so that means I have to go to boarding school next year" Trunks said defeated.
"Oh.. but you've done your best with this exam, you've behaved very well too so maybe I can do a good word for you" Chi-Chi said trying to get him in high spirits.
"She won't budge, I already told her I'm at my best behaviour for the past few days"
it's my all fault.." Trunks huffed.
"It's not," Chi-Chi said,
"You didn't know any better, but you do now" Chi-Chi said.
"Leave it to us" when she rested for a few days I'll try to change her mind." Chi-Chi said.
"And because you passed I'll make your favourite dinner" Chi-Chi mentioned.
Trunks was hungry so that lifted his spirit, she offered her hands to grab and did so.
Together they went to the store,
Chi-Chi knows Trunks dealt with a form of neglect but didn't want to insult his parents.
-/-
Gohan arrived at Mount Paozu and was relieved when he sensed Trunkses Ki, he was safe and sound,
He found a letter in the mail and couldn't wait to tell his mother the good news.
when he came in Trunks was helping Chi-Chi cutting the wild radishes they found.
Gohan smiled at his mother placing his college bag down and showed her a letter that he's accepted to University.
Chi-Chi couldn't be more proud, euphoria was all over her, her boy is going to be a genius.
Chi-Chi took the letter and moved to the living room to take her time reading through the letter.
Her day couldn't get any better, Her Goku will return for a day and now her son is finally moving towards a new chapter of his life.
"Trunks-kun, can I have quick word?" Gohan wondered.
"Yeah.." Trunks said and moved the cutting board to the side.
"How did the test go?" Gohan asked.
"It went okay, I got a C" Trunks said not enthusiastic.
" At least you passed. so It hasn't been all for nothing"
", You know now that if you do your best you will have the best results" Gohan said.
"Learn from this mistake and try to be better next time" Gohan said and Trunks made eye contact.
"I'll try But I can't do it alone," Trunks said.
"You don't have to do it alone, just let us help you" Gohan mentioned.
"When you have another test scheduled you will let us know right away" Gohan said.
"Are you okay with that?"
And Trunks smiled in agreement.
-
Trunkses goodbye dinner was almost done preparing, the aroma coming out of the kitchen was wonderful,
he sat at the table and realised that 2 weeks ago he was in the same position and the same horrid feeling that he didn't want to leave Capsule Corp and now that he's here he doesn't want to leave Mount Paozu.
In his heart he felt that he's already home, in nature, the clean crisp air the self sufficiency,
And refreshing forest baths every morning, he even learned to embrace discipline.
Getting up early and sleep early was the last thing he got used to but that was the best change in his way of living.
Back at home he couldn't focus on simple tasks without feeling the brain fog disoriented his functioning.
Not using electronics at night just feels great, Tomorrow he can go home but he made him feel depressed, Capsule Corp no longer felt like home.
Trunks will miss the warmth, the rewarding system they use to drill good manners and input into the daily life here,Part of him was happy he misbehaved.
Otherwise he would have never come to Mount Paozu,
-
Gohan placed Trunkses plate in front of him, Trunks flinched lightly but remained staring at the wall.
"Do you miss your mom?" Gohan asked placing his own plate down.
"Yeah, But that's not the reason why I'm still saddened." Trunks said.
"Then what's the matter?" Gohan asked fatherly.
"I want to stay " Trunks mentioned.
Gohan was a little taken back, he didn't expect that from Trunks, but listened carefully.
"Why?" Gohan said, " I always thought you preferred going home"
"I feel I am already home, I've grown fond of Nature and I've learned so much from you" Trunks said looking up.
"I'm also considering keeping some of your rules like going to bed early and don't play video games in bed. " Trunks mentioned.
"I'm happy your stay hasn't been for nothing, you can always come back for a visit" Gohan said.
"When?" Trunks wondered.
"Well.. you can visit us to celebrate new year" and stay for the weekend" Gohan said.
"That would be nice," Trunks looked up.
"If mom thinks it's okay then I'll come" Trunks said, he responded very calm because deep down he felt he doesn't deserve such privilege.
"Is there something else troubling you?" Gohan asked,
Trunks looked away in response, he blinked and brushed a tear away,
"It's okay" Gohan said comforting and pushed Trunkses head against his shoulder.
Trunks allowed it, never once has he dealt with people who are so hands on,
It was something he never had at home, not even for a moment.
"I want to live here, at home I don't have anyone who really looks after me,"
"Mom is always gone, Dad only cares about becoming stronger"
"And I recently gained his respect became I'm a prodigy to him"
"besides that there is no room for me in his life" Trunks said feeling worse.
Gohan could never imagine feeling like an outcast in his own home, but didn't want to ask further personal questions.
"Has your mother came back from her business trip?" Gohan asked.
Trunks glanced at the clock, "She already arrived home, I'm expected to head back on the same hour I was dropped off here" Trunks said.
"I have an idea" Gohan said.
"I'll invite her over "
"W..why?" Trunks wondered.
" To get you off the hook"
" Instead of boarding school I want you to remain here with us next year"
"If you are willing to do your best this time"Gohan mentioned.
"Well.. If I do my best 6 days a week can I stay out late on Sunday?" Trunks asked.
"Only if you do as I say without any back talk"
All right?" Gohan said.
"Yeah I will do better, to make up for allowing things to get so heated between us" Trunks said.
" Deal" Gohan said approved.
"Okay make sure you you'll fly above the clouds so that you won't be spotted" Gohan said.
Trunks nodded obedient, and moved inches from the ground with his flying ability,
"Bye" Trunks said happy.
"Take care" Gohan smiled.
Trunks flied higher up in the air and Gohan watched on,
Even though this wasn't a goodbye at all, it was still hard for Gohan seeing Trunks fly away from where he's standing.
In such a short time Trunks had like a metamorphosis, it's a whole new individual now and a shadow of his former unpleasant self.
Gohan couldn't be more proud of him.
A/N: In my opinion my version of Gohan is the best elder brother you can have in life.
His desire to invest in the ones under his care so that they grow up to be great is one thing most family members lack.
Until next time.
Light Gaia