Dragon Ball Z/ Sailor Moon/ Ranma ½ fanfic.
"Past, Present and Uncertainty."
By Julian Soullard (e-mail: jnsoullard@hotmail.com)
Warning: All characters from this fanfic are copyright from Akira
Toriyama (Dragon Ball Z), Naoko Takeuchi (Sailor Moon) and Rumiko Takahashi
(Ranma ½) so don't sue me. By the way, also worth mentioning, this story is
a sequel to my other fanfic "Boy meets girls". In other words, there will be
a lot of things you won't understand in this story if you haven't read "Boy
meets girls" (and its side stories) first. If that's the case... then what
the Hell are you doing here still reading this?
Go to http://lavender.fortunecity.com/flamingos/122 instead, and start at
the real beginning of the story like you're suppose to!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AND NOW ON WITH....
Chapter 3: In need of your help.
Seconds ago, Trunks was traveling through hyperspace while accompanying
Sailor Pluto. But now he found himself standing inside a completely
furnished living room.
He felt a little disorientated at first, but eventually realized he was
inside an apartment.
As he opened the door leading to the balcony, Trunks took his sight downwards
to the street.
Everything was just like he remembered it eight years ago. At least... it
looked that way.
"This is where you'll be staying." Pluto brought out.
"What?" this one asked, rather surprised.
"Even though I know you have a house of your own inside one of those things,"
Pluto continued, as she pointed to Trunks' capsule case, "I believe it would
be better for you to reside in the proximity."
"I see you had everything planned in advance." the Saiyajin hybrid remarked
with a grin. "But how could you be so sure that I was going to accept
helping you in the first place?"
"You'll find everything you need here." Pluto went on, ignoring the question.
Somehow, Trunks began to see that not getting his questions answered by this
woman was going to be a daily thing.
"Okay then, I guess I can put my stuff away later." the purple haired man
said, as he put his case on the kitchen table, "So, where do we start?"
"For now, we wait."
"Wait?" he asked, not very convinced, "Can't you take me to the place this
dimension hole is? At least like that I'll know where will the enemy show up."
"The hole itself does not have a physical form." Pluto explained, "Putting
it in more practical words, think of the dimension barrier as an alarm
system in your house. Once a robber has neutralized it, he can enter your
home as he sees fit. Either by the door, window or chimney."
"In other words, there's no possible way of knowing where will the enemy
strike." Trunks realized.
"Therefore, we wait."
"Then I guess I better make myself at home."
**********
"Is everything ready?"
"Almost, Master Eron." Arna acknowledged, "DNA code complete. Solid
structure completed. Nervous system complete. All five senses tested. Adding
artificial skin."
"Let's try something new this time." Eron interrupted, "Add 5 milliliters of
formula G-89."
"But, sir," Arna pointed out, "the Raider's nervous system wouldn't be able
to sustain it for more than 3 minutes before self deteriorating."
Eron just took the formula chart with his hands and studied it closely. Arna
awaited for her superior's command before proceeding with the experiment.
"Instead of using Vodalian skin, equip the Raider with a Krovikian cover."
the scientist commanded, "Like that it'll last at least an hour before
decomposing. That's all the time we need for the experiment."
"Yes, sir," Arna obeyed, "Inserting Krovikian skin."
"Let's see what effect our little cocktail will have with the residents of
Juuban." Eron declared with a grin. "I'm getting front seats for this event."
**********
//Not a bad place, if you ask me.// said the voice coming from Trunks'
communicator.
He took the device away from the window and looked back into the screen.
"Yeah," Trunks said, "the technology here isn't as advanced as ours, but
there's everything I'll need."
//That's good to know.//
"Anyway, I guess I'll contact you often. Looks like your communicator works
like a charm."
"Was there ever any doubt?" Bulma asked, quite sure of herself. "Well, take
care of yourself. Bye."
With the turn of a switch, the screen went black again.
Trunks put the device on a bookshelf, where it would always be at hand.
After all, there was no point in carrying it everywhere.
Sailor Pluto was just sitting eyes closed on a nearby couch. Apparently not
doing much. Trunks was about to talk to her when he suddenly felt something.
Actually, he felt several things. Five power levels moving in group.
Setsuna took that time to open her eyes.
"The enemy is making his move." she said simply, without even explaining how
she found out or assumed that Trunks knew as well. "The Sailor Senshi are on
their way."
"Damn it!" Trunks cursed, "I can't fight now, I haven't had the chance
to see her yet!"
"Let us go there." Pluto told him. "Don't worry, I doubt you'll have to
interfere in this fight."
"How can you be so sure?"
Without answering, Pluto took her scepter and created a portal in front of
them. She then gestured Trunks to go inside.
"I just know." she said.
For a second time on the same day, the Saiyajin hybrid was dazed once he
crossed through the portal. He hoped that he would eventually get use to this
alternative way of traveling.
As he opened his eyes, Trunks realized that he and Pluto were now outdoors.
On top of a building's roof to be more precise.
Trunks sensed how the five power levels he felt earlier were closer now, and
moving even closer with each passing second.
Yet, that wasn't all.
Another presence caught his attention. This one was even closer, but also
weaker. As a matter of fact, its power level was pathetically low. But then
again, since he remembered that the creatures in this universe weren't as
strong as the ones back home, it should be considered, in relative terms, as
a threat towards the locals of Juuban.
The owner of such power level didn't take too long in showing up. The
numerous screams from the people below helped a lot in pinpointing the
location of the creature as well.
Definitively something he hadn't seen before.
Whatever this thing was, it was something new to both Trunks and Setsuna.
A muscular humanoid creature about eight feet tall, covered in a bright red
skin which not only seemed to reflect the sunlight, but actually create a
light of its own as well. Trunks couldn't be too sure on that.
Aside from the default big claws and fangs, the creature's body didn't seem
to have any other additional features. It's face was rather simple as well.
It resembled a cat, except with very long ears pointed upwards like a pair
of antennas.
[I have to stop that thing before it hurts more people!] thought the purple
haired man.
As if she knew what was on the Saiyajin's mind, Pluto grabbed him by the
shoulder. Not that she had enough strength to hold him down, but at least
the gesture was enough to make Trunks understand he should stay by her side.
"Not now." she said calmly.
Trunks was about to protest when the five auras he felt finally showed up.
He was very surprised when he found out those were the Sailor Senshi.
Yes, he did knew that the senshi had some sort of weird power. Weird in
terms of 'it not being ki', like his. But still, the energy the five of them
were manifesting could be sensed the same way.
Never the less, compared to what he sensed years ago, this new power was
different.
Stronger, that was sure. In the past, the five of them weren't nearly as
strong as they were now.
Alas he couldn't tell more, this energy they used was still a mystery to him
in order to reach any real conclusion.
The second thing that caught his attention was Sailor Moon's getup.
The last time, all of them had identical costumes, which made it difficult
to tell who was the leader of all five.
Now things were different. Her three layer skirt, round shoulder pads,
decorated gloves and especially the pair of wings which stretched out of
Sailor Moon's uniform clearly proved that she was in command.
Third thing which caught his attention: Sailor Jupiter.
Trunks had several mixed up feelings about this.
Joy, sadness, relief, fear, admiration and probably many others he hadn't
identified yet.
All of it just came down to one thing. It made him nervous.
There she was, standing gloriously with her hands on her hips. Even more
beautiful than he remembered her. Even though the other senshi were
beautiful as well, to his eyes, none of the four matched Jupiter's charm.
Trunks shook that thought out of his head.
He couldn't afford to think of her like that again.
So much had changed.
"You, there!!" shouted Sailor Moon to the monster. "How dare you invade the
streets used by innocent bystanders who want to go to their jobs and
families!! Streets are no place for monsters with bad intentions! I'm a
champion of love and Justice! I'm Eternal Sailor Moon!! And I shall punish
you in the name of the Moon!"
This little speech not only didn't impress the monster, but it also made a
particular sweat drop fall from behind Trunks' head.
[Then again... I guess some things will never change...] he thought.
No more comments were done once the monster decided to take care of the five
girls.
The senshi immediately split up with the intention of attacking from several
flanks at once.
Sailor Mars was the first one.
"FLAME SNIPER!"
A bow and arrow formed by fire appeared by her hands. The senshi pulled the
"cord" and launched the flaming missile with deadly accuracy and getting a
bull's eye.
The monster blew up like an egg put inside a microwave.
Only scattered body parts were left of it.
"That was it?" Jupiter asked surprised, and maybe a little disappointed as
well.
The senshi began to gather around what was left of the monster. Yep... that
was pretty much it. Unless the thing had the ability of reconstructing
itself from scraps, the senshi would have to get used to the idea that the
fight was over.
"My speech lasted longer than this thing." Moon commented.
On top of a roof:
"You're kidding, right?" Trunks asked Pluto, "*That* was the big threat you
told me about?"
"No, that was merely the beginning." she answered.
**********
It was late afternoon and Rei Hino was going through with her daily
priesthood duties. Put in more casual words, she was sweeping the entrance
of Hikawa Shrine.
Her grandfather and Yuuichiru had gone out minutes ago to attend some other
businesses.
Something disturbed her.
It had nothing to do with the fact of bening alone at home, since she
actually enjoyed a little solitude once in a while.
Since she recently fought a monster, the first one in a year, she had a
reason to be disturbed.
But that wasn't it either.
That creature had been a major pushover to cause her any concern.
Something else.
For a couple of minutes now, she had this feeling. This hunch that something
was about to happen. This feeling was stalking her.
Something... someone was near.
The young priestess stopped sweeping and began to scour the place with her
eyes, frantically searching for something. She wasn't sure what it was, but
she had learn over the years not to take her hunches lightly.
"Impressive." said a voice from above, "Even though I'm hiding my presence
you can still sense me."
Rei immediately took her sight towards the voice's origin. It came from one
of the branches of a nearby oak tree. Someone was standing there, slightly
hidden by the foliage.
How did that person got up there without her noticing or even hearing him?
"Who's there?" she asked threateningly, while taking a firm grasp at her
broom in case she'd have to use it to defend herself.
"I'm sorry if I startled you, Rei," the voice went on, "But I had to make
sure there was no one here besides you."
"Come out from there and show yourself!"
The figure jumped out of his hiding place and landed about ten feet from
where the Shinto priestess stood.
Rei's eyes had gone from narrow to wide once she saw who her stalker was.
She completely lost grip of her broom which fell to the ground.
Surely it had been a while since she last saw him, but you simply couldn't
forget someone like him even after three years. Not because of how he looked,
but mostly because who he was and what he had done.
"T... Trunks-kun?"
"Hi." this last one answered, a little nervous, "It's been a while."
The girl began to walk towards the visitor slowly. Almost doubtingly, not
sure if what she saw was a trick her mind was pulling on her.
Half way towards him, she changed her pace and quickly grasped him, fearing
he might be an illusion which might disappear at any moment.
She couldn't help herself in greeting Trunks with a big hug.
Although taken a little by surprise at first by such warm welcome, Trunks
didn't hesitate in returning the hug. After all, it had been a long time.
"Oh my God!!" Rei stated, still amazed, "I can't believe it's really you!!"
"It's nice to see you too, Rei." Trunks told her. "You look great."
"*Me* look great?!? I mean look at you!" she responded, as she examined him
from head to toe. "You're huge! And... long hair... I mean... wow!"
"Thanks for the compliment."
Rei took a few steps back and joined her hands in front of her mouth. This
was just too unreal.
Trunks... here. Back once again.
"Oh my God, I completely forgot." she declared, "How was your trip back to
your world? Did everything turned out okay? Did you cured your friend?"
"Everything went fine, I..."
"Wait! Don't tell me yet!" she interrupted, as she took out her wristwatch.
"I'll tell the others to meet us here so you won't have to repeat the story
over and over again."
"No, wait!" Trunks told her, as he reached for her wristwatch. "Please don't."
"Why?" Rei asked confused, "The others will be thrilled when they find out
you're back."
The young priestess noticed how serious was her visitor's expression was.
"Trunks-kun... " she began, "You being here, is a good thing... right?"
The Saiyajin hybrid just let out a little sigh. He then gestured her a 'no'
with his head.
"There's trouble."
"Is it another dimension hole?"
"No." Trunks answered. "I'm afraid it's something far more serious, but I
have to talk to you first... alone."
**********
[Excellent! Simply marvelous!]
The streets of Tokyo were safe once again. The few spectators that witnessed
the encounter between the Sailor Senshi and that hideous monster had already
left for home.
All but one old man.
[This is exactly what I was hoping for!]
The venerable elder in question had stayed there for quite some time now, in
spite of the battle being over. Not even the remains of the monster were
left. The G-89 formula had already taken effect, completely dissolving whichever
proof of the Raider's existence.
The old man looked amused.
Most passers thought he was just going senile.
If only they knew.
Ignoring the looks from people nearby, the strange figure left for an alley.
Once he made sure no one saw him, he spoke.
"Victory to our cause."
With those words pronounced, a strange pin he was wearing on his shirt began
to glow. The next second, he vanished into thin air.
Inside a building on the other side of the city, he reappeared.
Being the disguise now unnecessary, Eron decided to switch back to his
original form.
The old man's body began to grow, his wrinkled face began to rejuvenate and
his hair took a darker color.
Where an eighty year old man with gray hair stood moments ago, was now a man
around thirty with short brown hair and a muscular frame.
The scientist put on his doctor's robe which was hanging nearby. After
adjusting his collar, he took a look at himself in a mirror placed next to
him. He smiled.
"You handsome devil you." he said to his reflection.
"Master Eron," a voiced peered from behind. "You're back early."
"Yes, Arna, I am." Eron responded, while combing his hair, "And boy, do I
have good news."
**********
Rei listened closely to everything Trunks told her. This one had shared all
the information Sailor Pluto had given him so far. Needless to say Rei was
showing some concern about Setsuna's vision of the future.
"And here I was starting to get use to peace and quiet again." she sighed.
"I also had the opportunity to see you fight earlier." Trunks continued.
"Even though that monster was nothing serious, things might get worse in the
future. This might be just a start."
"Pluto's vision sounded quite serious." the priestess declared.
"Yes." her companion added, "And she doesn't strike me as the kind of person
who takes decisions without thinking. If she asked me to come here, it's
probable that you will need my help."
Rei let out a huge sigh.
Things just got complicated once again. Looks like there wasn't going to be
a moment of relaxation during this summer.
But that put aside, she still didn't knew why Trunks wanted her to keep this
a secret from the other Senshi.
"Okay. That's clear now," she began, "but what I don't get is why you didn't
want me to tell the others you're here."
Trunks took a deep breath. This was the hard part.
"Rei... I only want you and Setsuna to know I'm here." he explained, "The
less people know, the better."
"What?" she asked, now completely confused. "You're joking, right? I mean,
you already told me there's no unbalancement this time, so what seems to be
the problem?"
"Maybe I can't cause any damage to your dimension, but I can cause damage to
someone. Mainly, Makoto Kino."
"Could you please be more specific."
"Rei, you were there when I left this dimension. You saw how hard it was to
leave and more so, by leaving Makoto hurt in such a terrible way." Trunks
told her. "I don't want to hurt her ever again."
"Listen, if all this is just about fearing being rejected, don't worry." the
priestess said, trying to sound as convincing as possible. "Mako-chan is a
very strong girl and always recuperates after a loss. I'm sure she won't
resent you being here."
"This isn't about feeling rejected." he made clear. "Like you said, Makoto
probably got over me a while back and is probably living a happy life now.
I ask you this: What right do I have to walk back into her life three years
later and make her remember the pain I caused her?"
Rei actually began to think about this.
He had a point.
"Think about it for a minute. I'm not even supposed to be here." the Saiyajin
warrior added. "To be completely honest with you, I never though it was
going to be possible for me to ever come back here again. Now tell me, were
you expecting me to return?"
"Well... no. Not really." Rei confessed. "Your farewell seemed pretty
definitive three years ago."
"And Makoto is now living pleasantly again, am I right?"
Rei nodded.
Yes... she had been doing okay in spite of having her heart broken for a
second time, but even if that was three years ago, her heart had not healed
without leaving a scar. Rei, as one of her close friends, knew that quite
well. Even if Mako-chan was back on her feet, some changes on her persona
had been noticeable ever since Trunks left. Mostly the fact that she wasn't
so forward with guys anymore. Probably afraid of rejection.
"Can you imagine the damage I could cause her by showing up and forcing her
to remember the pain she already managed to forget?" he went on.
"Okay, you *do* have a point there." Rei pointed out. "But still, don't you
think you're overreacting?"
So far, Trunks had only talked about the consequences on Makoto, but the
young priestess would like to know exactly what were the Sayajin's feeling
in all of this.
"As much as I would like that to be the case, I'm afraid not." Trunks
declared. "Besides, I won't be staying here forever. As soon as the problem
is fixed, I have to return back to my world. So you see... I can't even
afford to get involved with Makoto, since it would mean committing the same
errors I did eight years ago."
"Wait, holditholditholdit." she interrupted suddenly, as she heard the word
'eight'. "Eight years?? It's been eight *years* for you??? Eight, as in two
times four??"
"In my dimension, time passed twice as fast compared to this one." he
explained. "It's been six years there, but I stayed in the past for two
years while training to get stronger so I could defeat the Jinzouningen."
"Then... then... then that means you... you're..."
"Twenty-five years old."
Rei's jaw had hit the floor.
Twenty-five...
Twenty-five years old.
T*W*E*N*T*Y*-*F*I*V*E*
A quarter of a century. Two decades and a half.
Old enough to vote. Old enough to enter a bar.
It suddenly struck her... Old enough to be married.
If it's been eight years since Trunks was last seen here, then it was God
damn probable that he had a life with someone else back in his dimension.
Rei's mind filled with preoccupation once she realized what kind of effect
this revelation would cause on Mako-chan.
Imagine learning that the man you loved, the first *true* love you've
experienced, was now twenty-five *and* married. That would be devastating
for her. Even though she could still hold on to the memories of her past
love, knowing that Trunks was now married with someone that *wasn't* her
would be just to much to bare.
Mako-chan definitively didn't deserve that. She had suffered enough already.
"Well... How old *do* I look?" Trunks asked curious.
"Twenty. Twenty-two tops." the priestess responded, still not able to
believe it.
"I guess looking young runs in the family."
Rei took that moment to sit down. It had been one shock after another, so
sitting down seemed like the right thing to do just about now.
Trunks, on the other hand, wasn't really sure how could his age have such an
impact on her. He decided to change the subject, but Rei beat him to it.
"You came to me because I'm able to sense your ki, am I right?" she asked,
although it sounded more like a statement.
"That's right," he confirmed, "even if I don't show my face, you'll be able
to sense my presence, just like you did moments ago. That's why I specially
came to you. Listen... I know that I'm asking you a lot by keeping this a
secret from your friends, but..."
"Don't worry, I understand your position." she interrupted. "You can count
on me."
Those words took a burden off Trunks' shoulders. To be frank, he really
didn't knew what other way around the problem he could take if Rei refused
to help him. Although he was also a bit intrigued in learning what made the
young priestess so suddenly willing to keep the secret. Especially since she
seamed so determined in proving how wrong his method seemed earlier. But for
now, the important thing was that she accepted to cooperate.
"I'm not saying I'll like it," Rei went on, "but I guess you're right. This
will keep Mako-chan from getting hurt again."
"Thank you very much, Rei," Trunks said relieved, "this will make things a
lot easier."
"There's just something I'd like to ask." she pointed out.
"Someone's coming." the Saiyajin hybrid spoke, not paying attention to what Rei
just said. "I must go now."
With those words said, Trunks suddenly disappeared. Even though she couldn't
see him with her eyes, Rei sensed how the Saiyajin's ki had grown in order to
move faster than the eye can see.
She didn't get a chance to make any further observations as she saw
Yuuichiru approaching from the stairs ahead, just like Trunks perceived
earlier.
Yuuichiru never showed any sort of ki manifestations even though he received
training as a Shinto priest. How could have Trunks sensed his presence?
Rei knew that Trunks was extremely powerful. It was quite obvious since the
last time was here three... eight years ago. But even then, such power
couldn't be so easily detected unless he intentionally showed it. Could it
be that Trunks had so much power now that it was impossible for him to
conceal himself? Or was it her, who simply developed her ability to sense ki?
Whether which one of the two it was, Rei saw clearly now why had the Saiyajin
hybrid come to her first.
However, Trunks power was what concerned her the least at the moment.
The big question was how was she going to handle so much right now.
Especially in terms of how would this affect Mako-chan if she ever found out
about Trunks' return.
She hadn't thought about it much at first, but Trunks was right, even though
what he said sounded terribly wrong.
How could things be the same now compared to three years ago?
Eight years, if you saw it from Trunks' point of view.
End of chapter 3.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See you in chapter 4...
"Past, Present and Uncertainty."
By Julian Soullard (e-mail: jnsoullard@hotmail.com)
Warning: All characters from this fanfic are copyright from Akira
Toriyama (Dragon Ball Z), Naoko Takeuchi (Sailor Moon) and Rumiko Takahashi
(Ranma ½) so don't sue me. By the way, also worth mentioning, this story is
a sequel to my other fanfic "Boy meets girls". In other words, there will be
a lot of things you won't understand in this story if you haven't read "Boy
meets girls" (and its side stories) first. If that's the case... then what
the Hell are you doing here still reading this?
Go to http://lavender.fortunecity.com/flamingos/122 instead, and start at
the real beginning of the story like you're suppose to!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AND NOW ON WITH....
Chapter 3: In need of your help.
Seconds ago, Trunks was traveling through hyperspace while accompanying
Sailor Pluto. But now he found himself standing inside a completely
furnished living room.
He felt a little disorientated at first, but eventually realized he was
inside an apartment.
As he opened the door leading to the balcony, Trunks took his sight downwards
to the street.
Everything was just like he remembered it eight years ago. At least... it
looked that way.
"This is where you'll be staying." Pluto brought out.
"What?" this one asked, rather surprised.
"Even though I know you have a house of your own inside one of those things,"
Pluto continued, as she pointed to Trunks' capsule case, "I believe it would
be better for you to reside in the proximity."
"I see you had everything planned in advance." the Saiyajin hybrid remarked
with a grin. "But how could you be so sure that I was going to accept
helping you in the first place?"
"You'll find everything you need here." Pluto went on, ignoring the question.
Somehow, Trunks began to see that not getting his questions answered by this
woman was going to be a daily thing.
"Okay then, I guess I can put my stuff away later." the purple haired man
said, as he put his case on the kitchen table, "So, where do we start?"
"For now, we wait."
"Wait?" he asked, not very convinced, "Can't you take me to the place this
dimension hole is? At least like that I'll know where will the enemy show up."
"The hole itself does not have a physical form." Pluto explained, "Putting
it in more practical words, think of the dimension barrier as an alarm
system in your house. Once a robber has neutralized it, he can enter your
home as he sees fit. Either by the door, window or chimney."
"In other words, there's no possible way of knowing where will the enemy
strike." Trunks realized.
"Therefore, we wait."
"Then I guess I better make myself at home."
**********
"Is everything ready?"
"Almost, Master Eron." Arna acknowledged, "DNA code complete. Solid
structure completed. Nervous system complete. All five senses tested. Adding
artificial skin."
"Let's try something new this time." Eron interrupted, "Add 5 milliliters of
formula G-89."
"But, sir," Arna pointed out, "the Raider's nervous system wouldn't be able
to sustain it for more than 3 minutes before self deteriorating."
Eron just took the formula chart with his hands and studied it closely. Arna
awaited for her superior's command before proceeding with the experiment.
"Instead of using Vodalian skin, equip the Raider with a Krovikian cover."
the scientist commanded, "Like that it'll last at least an hour before
decomposing. That's all the time we need for the experiment."
"Yes, sir," Arna obeyed, "Inserting Krovikian skin."
"Let's see what effect our little cocktail will have with the residents of
Juuban." Eron declared with a grin. "I'm getting front seats for this event."
**********
//Not a bad place, if you ask me.// said the voice coming from Trunks'
communicator.
He took the device away from the window and looked back into the screen.
"Yeah," Trunks said, "the technology here isn't as advanced as ours, but
there's everything I'll need."
//That's good to know.//
"Anyway, I guess I'll contact you often. Looks like your communicator works
like a charm."
"Was there ever any doubt?" Bulma asked, quite sure of herself. "Well, take
care of yourself. Bye."
With the turn of a switch, the screen went black again.
Trunks put the device on a bookshelf, where it would always be at hand.
After all, there was no point in carrying it everywhere.
Sailor Pluto was just sitting eyes closed on a nearby couch. Apparently not
doing much. Trunks was about to talk to her when he suddenly felt something.
Actually, he felt several things. Five power levels moving in group.
Setsuna took that time to open her eyes.
"The enemy is making his move." she said simply, without even explaining how
she found out or assumed that Trunks knew as well. "The Sailor Senshi are on
their way."
"Damn it!" Trunks cursed, "I can't fight now, I haven't had the chance
to see her yet!"
"Let us go there." Pluto told him. "Don't worry, I doubt you'll have to
interfere in this fight."
"How can you be so sure?"
Without answering, Pluto took her scepter and created a portal in front of
them. She then gestured Trunks to go inside.
"I just know." she said.
For a second time on the same day, the Saiyajin hybrid was dazed once he
crossed through the portal. He hoped that he would eventually get use to this
alternative way of traveling.
As he opened his eyes, Trunks realized that he and Pluto were now outdoors.
On top of a building's roof to be more precise.
Trunks sensed how the five power levels he felt earlier were closer now, and
moving even closer with each passing second.
Yet, that wasn't all.
Another presence caught his attention. This one was even closer, but also
weaker. As a matter of fact, its power level was pathetically low. But then
again, since he remembered that the creatures in this universe weren't as
strong as the ones back home, it should be considered, in relative terms, as
a threat towards the locals of Juuban.
The owner of such power level didn't take too long in showing up. The
numerous screams from the people below helped a lot in pinpointing the
location of the creature as well.
Definitively something he hadn't seen before.
Whatever this thing was, it was something new to both Trunks and Setsuna.
A muscular humanoid creature about eight feet tall, covered in a bright red
skin which not only seemed to reflect the sunlight, but actually create a
light of its own as well. Trunks couldn't be too sure on that.
Aside from the default big claws and fangs, the creature's body didn't seem
to have any other additional features. It's face was rather simple as well.
It resembled a cat, except with very long ears pointed upwards like a pair
of antennas.
[I have to stop that thing before it hurts more people!] thought the purple
haired man.
As if she knew what was on the Saiyajin's mind, Pluto grabbed him by the
shoulder. Not that she had enough strength to hold him down, but at least
the gesture was enough to make Trunks understand he should stay by her side.
"Not now." she said calmly.
Trunks was about to protest when the five auras he felt finally showed up.
He was very surprised when he found out those were the Sailor Senshi.
Yes, he did knew that the senshi had some sort of weird power. Weird in
terms of 'it not being ki', like his. But still, the energy the five of them
were manifesting could be sensed the same way.
Never the less, compared to what he sensed years ago, this new power was
different.
Stronger, that was sure. In the past, the five of them weren't nearly as
strong as they were now.
Alas he couldn't tell more, this energy they used was still a mystery to him
in order to reach any real conclusion.
The second thing that caught his attention was Sailor Moon's getup.
The last time, all of them had identical costumes, which made it difficult
to tell who was the leader of all five.
Now things were different. Her three layer skirt, round shoulder pads,
decorated gloves and especially the pair of wings which stretched out of
Sailor Moon's uniform clearly proved that she was in command.
Third thing which caught his attention: Sailor Jupiter.
Trunks had several mixed up feelings about this.
Joy, sadness, relief, fear, admiration and probably many others he hadn't
identified yet.
All of it just came down to one thing. It made him nervous.
There she was, standing gloriously with her hands on her hips. Even more
beautiful than he remembered her. Even though the other senshi were
beautiful as well, to his eyes, none of the four matched Jupiter's charm.
Trunks shook that thought out of his head.
He couldn't afford to think of her like that again.
So much had changed.
"You, there!!" shouted Sailor Moon to the monster. "How dare you invade the
streets used by innocent bystanders who want to go to their jobs and
families!! Streets are no place for monsters with bad intentions! I'm a
champion of love and Justice! I'm Eternal Sailor Moon!! And I shall punish
you in the name of the Moon!"
This little speech not only didn't impress the monster, but it also made a
particular sweat drop fall from behind Trunks' head.
[Then again... I guess some things will never change...] he thought.
No more comments were done once the monster decided to take care of the five
girls.
The senshi immediately split up with the intention of attacking from several
flanks at once.
Sailor Mars was the first one.
"FLAME SNIPER!"
A bow and arrow formed by fire appeared by her hands. The senshi pulled the
"cord" and launched the flaming missile with deadly accuracy and getting a
bull's eye.
The monster blew up like an egg put inside a microwave.
Only scattered body parts were left of it.
"That was it?" Jupiter asked surprised, and maybe a little disappointed as
well.
The senshi began to gather around what was left of the monster. Yep... that
was pretty much it. Unless the thing had the ability of reconstructing
itself from scraps, the senshi would have to get used to the idea that the
fight was over.
"My speech lasted longer than this thing." Moon commented.
On top of a roof:
"You're kidding, right?" Trunks asked Pluto, "*That* was the big threat you
told me about?"
"No, that was merely the beginning." she answered.
**********
It was late afternoon and Rei Hino was going through with her daily
priesthood duties. Put in more casual words, she was sweeping the entrance
of Hikawa Shrine.
Her grandfather and Yuuichiru had gone out minutes ago to attend some other
businesses.
Something disturbed her.
It had nothing to do with the fact of bening alone at home, since she
actually enjoyed a little solitude once in a while.
Since she recently fought a monster, the first one in a year, she had a
reason to be disturbed.
But that wasn't it either.
That creature had been a major pushover to cause her any concern.
Something else.
For a couple of minutes now, she had this feeling. This hunch that something
was about to happen. This feeling was stalking her.
Something... someone was near.
The young priestess stopped sweeping and began to scour the place with her
eyes, frantically searching for something. She wasn't sure what it was, but
she had learn over the years not to take her hunches lightly.
"Impressive." said a voice from above, "Even though I'm hiding my presence
you can still sense me."
Rei immediately took her sight towards the voice's origin. It came from one
of the branches of a nearby oak tree. Someone was standing there, slightly
hidden by the foliage.
How did that person got up there without her noticing or even hearing him?
"Who's there?" she asked threateningly, while taking a firm grasp at her
broom in case she'd have to use it to defend herself.
"I'm sorry if I startled you, Rei," the voice went on, "But I had to make
sure there was no one here besides you."
"Come out from there and show yourself!"
The figure jumped out of his hiding place and landed about ten feet from
where the Shinto priestess stood.
Rei's eyes had gone from narrow to wide once she saw who her stalker was.
She completely lost grip of her broom which fell to the ground.
Surely it had been a while since she last saw him, but you simply couldn't
forget someone like him even after three years. Not because of how he looked,
but mostly because who he was and what he had done.
"T... Trunks-kun?"
"Hi." this last one answered, a little nervous, "It's been a while."
The girl began to walk towards the visitor slowly. Almost doubtingly, not
sure if what she saw was a trick her mind was pulling on her.
Half way towards him, she changed her pace and quickly grasped him, fearing
he might be an illusion which might disappear at any moment.
She couldn't help herself in greeting Trunks with a big hug.
Although taken a little by surprise at first by such warm welcome, Trunks
didn't hesitate in returning the hug. After all, it had been a long time.
"Oh my God!!" Rei stated, still amazed, "I can't believe it's really you!!"
"It's nice to see you too, Rei." Trunks told her. "You look great."
"*Me* look great?!? I mean look at you!" she responded, as she examined him
from head to toe. "You're huge! And... long hair... I mean... wow!"
"Thanks for the compliment."
Rei took a few steps back and joined her hands in front of her mouth. This
was just too unreal.
Trunks... here. Back once again.
"Oh my God, I completely forgot." she declared, "How was your trip back to
your world? Did everything turned out okay? Did you cured your friend?"
"Everything went fine, I..."
"Wait! Don't tell me yet!" she interrupted, as she took out her wristwatch.
"I'll tell the others to meet us here so you won't have to repeat the story
over and over again."
"No, wait!" Trunks told her, as he reached for her wristwatch. "Please don't."
"Why?" Rei asked confused, "The others will be thrilled when they find out
you're back."
The young priestess noticed how serious was her visitor's expression was.
"Trunks-kun... " she began, "You being here, is a good thing... right?"
The Saiyajin hybrid just let out a little sigh. He then gestured her a 'no'
with his head.
"There's trouble."
"Is it another dimension hole?"
"No." Trunks answered. "I'm afraid it's something far more serious, but I
have to talk to you first... alone."
**********
[Excellent! Simply marvelous!]
The streets of Tokyo were safe once again. The few spectators that witnessed
the encounter between the Sailor Senshi and that hideous monster had already
left for home.
All but one old man.
[This is exactly what I was hoping for!]
The venerable elder in question had stayed there for quite some time now, in
spite of the battle being over. Not even the remains of the monster were
left. The G-89 formula had already taken effect, completely dissolving whichever
proof of the Raider's existence.
The old man looked amused.
Most passers thought he was just going senile.
If only they knew.
Ignoring the looks from people nearby, the strange figure left for an alley.
Once he made sure no one saw him, he spoke.
"Victory to our cause."
With those words pronounced, a strange pin he was wearing on his shirt began
to glow. The next second, he vanished into thin air.
Inside a building on the other side of the city, he reappeared.
Being the disguise now unnecessary, Eron decided to switch back to his
original form.
The old man's body began to grow, his wrinkled face began to rejuvenate and
his hair took a darker color.
Where an eighty year old man with gray hair stood moments ago, was now a man
around thirty with short brown hair and a muscular frame.
The scientist put on his doctor's robe which was hanging nearby. After
adjusting his collar, he took a look at himself in a mirror placed next to
him. He smiled.
"You handsome devil you." he said to his reflection.
"Master Eron," a voiced peered from behind. "You're back early."
"Yes, Arna, I am." Eron responded, while combing his hair, "And boy, do I
have good news."
**********
Rei listened closely to everything Trunks told her. This one had shared all
the information Sailor Pluto had given him so far. Needless to say Rei was
showing some concern about Setsuna's vision of the future.
"And here I was starting to get use to peace and quiet again." she sighed.
"I also had the opportunity to see you fight earlier." Trunks continued.
"Even though that monster was nothing serious, things might get worse in the
future. This might be just a start."
"Pluto's vision sounded quite serious." the priestess declared.
"Yes." her companion added, "And she doesn't strike me as the kind of person
who takes decisions without thinking. If she asked me to come here, it's
probable that you will need my help."
Rei let out a huge sigh.
Things just got complicated once again. Looks like there wasn't going to be
a moment of relaxation during this summer.
But that put aside, she still didn't knew why Trunks wanted her to keep this
a secret from the other Senshi.
"Okay. That's clear now," she began, "but what I don't get is why you didn't
want me to tell the others you're here."
Trunks took a deep breath. This was the hard part.
"Rei... I only want you and Setsuna to know I'm here." he explained, "The
less people know, the better."
"What?" she asked, now completely confused. "You're joking, right? I mean,
you already told me there's no unbalancement this time, so what seems to be
the problem?"
"Maybe I can't cause any damage to your dimension, but I can cause damage to
someone. Mainly, Makoto Kino."
"Could you please be more specific."
"Rei, you were there when I left this dimension. You saw how hard it was to
leave and more so, by leaving Makoto hurt in such a terrible way." Trunks
told her. "I don't want to hurt her ever again."
"Listen, if all this is just about fearing being rejected, don't worry." the
priestess said, trying to sound as convincing as possible. "Mako-chan is a
very strong girl and always recuperates after a loss. I'm sure she won't
resent you being here."
"This isn't about feeling rejected." he made clear. "Like you said, Makoto
probably got over me a while back and is probably living a happy life now.
I ask you this: What right do I have to walk back into her life three years
later and make her remember the pain I caused her?"
Rei actually began to think about this.
He had a point.
"Think about it for a minute. I'm not even supposed to be here." the Saiyajin
warrior added. "To be completely honest with you, I never though it was
going to be possible for me to ever come back here again. Now tell me, were
you expecting me to return?"
"Well... no. Not really." Rei confessed. "Your farewell seemed pretty
definitive three years ago."
"And Makoto is now living pleasantly again, am I right?"
Rei nodded.
Yes... she had been doing okay in spite of having her heart broken for a
second time, but even if that was three years ago, her heart had not healed
without leaving a scar. Rei, as one of her close friends, knew that quite
well. Even if Mako-chan was back on her feet, some changes on her persona
had been noticeable ever since Trunks left. Mostly the fact that she wasn't
so forward with guys anymore. Probably afraid of rejection.
"Can you imagine the damage I could cause her by showing up and forcing her
to remember the pain she already managed to forget?" he went on.
"Okay, you *do* have a point there." Rei pointed out. "But still, don't you
think you're overreacting?"
So far, Trunks had only talked about the consequences on Makoto, but the
young priestess would like to know exactly what were the Sayajin's feeling
in all of this.
"As much as I would like that to be the case, I'm afraid not." Trunks
declared. "Besides, I won't be staying here forever. As soon as the problem
is fixed, I have to return back to my world. So you see... I can't even
afford to get involved with Makoto, since it would mean committing the same
errors I did eight years ago."
"Wait, holditholditholdit." she interrupted suddenly, as she heard the word
'eight'. "Eight years?? It's been eight *years* for you??? Eight, as in two
times four??"
"In my dimension, time passed twice as fast compared to this one." he
explained. "It's been six years there, but I stayed in the past for two
years while training to get stronger so I could defeat the Jinzouningen."
"Then... then... then that means you... you're..."
"Twenty-five years old."
Rei's jaw had hit the floor.
Twenty-five...
Twenty-five years old.
T*W*E*N*T*Y*-*F*I*V*E*
A quarter of a century. Two decades and a half.
Old enough to vote. Old enough to enter a bar.
It suddenly struck her... Old enough to be married.
If it's been eight years since Trunks was last seen here, then it was God
damn probable that he had a life with someone else back in his dimension.
Rei's mind filled with preoccupation once she realized what kind of effect
this revelation would cause on Mako-chan.
Imagine learning that the man you loved, the first *true* love you've
experienced, was now twenty-five *and* married. That would be devastating
for her. Even though she could still hold on to the memories of her past
love, knowing that Trunks was now married with someone that *wasn't* her
would be just to much to bare.
Mako-chan definitively didn't deserve that. She had suffered enough already.
"Well... How old *do* I look?" Trunks asked curious.
"Twenty. Twenty-two tops." the priestess responded, still not able to
believe it.
"I guess looking young runs in the family."
Rei took that moment to sit down. It had been one shock after another, so
sitting down seemed like the right thing to do just about now.
Trunks, on the other hand, wasn't really sure how could his age have such an
impact on her. He decided to change the subject, but Rei beat him to it.
"You came to me because I'm able to sense your ki, am I right?" she asked,
although it sounded more like a statement.
"That's right," he confirmed, "even if I don't show my face, you'll be able
to sense my presence, just like you did moments ago. That's why I specially
came to you. Listen... I know that I'm asking you a lot by keeping this a
secret from your friends, but..."
"Don't worry, I understand your position." she interrupted. "You can count
on me."
Those words took a burden off Trunks' shoulders. To be frank, he really
didn't knew what other way around the problem he could take if Rei refused
to help him. Although he was also a bit intrigued in learning what made the
young priestess so suddenly willing to keep the secret. Especially since she
seamed so determined in proving how wrong his method seemed earlier. But for
now, the important thing was that she accepted to cooperate.
"I'm not saying I'll like it," Rei went on, "but I guess you're right. This
will keep Mako-chan from getting hurt again."
"Thank you very much, Rei," Trunks said relieved, "this will make things a
lot easier."
"There's just something I'd like to ask." she pointed out.
"Someone's coming." the Saiyajin hybrid spoke, not paying attention to what Rei
just said. "I must go now."
With those words said, Trunks suddenly disappeared. Even though she couldn't
see him with her eyes, Rei sensed how the Saiyajin's ki had grown in order to
move faster than the eye can see.
She didn't get a chance to make any further observations as she saw
Yuuichiru approaching from the stairs ahead, just like Trunks perceived
earlier.
Yuuichiru never showed any sort of ki manifestations even though he received
training as a Shinto priest. How could have Trunks sensed his presence?
Rei knew that Trunks was extremely powerful. It was quite obvious since the
last time was here three... eight years ago. But even then, such power
couldn't be so easily detected unless he intentionally showed it. Could it
be that Trunks had so much power now that it was impossible for him to
conceal himself? Or was it her, who simply developed her ability to sense ki?
Whether which one of the two it was, Rei saw clearly now why had the Saiyajin
hybrid come to her first.
However, Trunks power was what concerned her the least at the moment.
The big question was how was she going to handle so much right now.
Especially in terms of how would this affect Mako-chan if she ever found out
about Trunks' return.
She hadn't thought about it much at first, but Trunks was right, even though
what he said sounded terribly wrong.
How could things be the same now compared to three years ago?
Eight years, if you saw it from Trunks' point of view.
End of chapter 3.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See you in chapter 4...