Chapter Eight: Runaway

Gohan laid back on the soft sand watching the sun slink down the depressing dust filled sky. He couldn't stay at Capsule Corp. right now. He needed time to think. The ocean was the only place he could remember having calm other than home.

His mind might have been a blessing to some people but to him it was a curse. He was always torturing himself with his own thoughts. When Goku had sacrificed himself to defeat Cell, the nightmares of his family dying didn't stop. Gohan sometimes wished horrible dark thoughts to ease the pain of his guilt. He had no way to seek redemption so the nightmares sustained with harassing him. Their angst eyes burning holes into his heart every night, relentlessly. Gohan knew he wouldn't sleep well tonight either.

He had failed in both worlds. Both times he had let his family suffer intolerably. Gohan squinting his eyes shut as the tears tried to squeeze through. He didn't understand why he tried to stop them though. They were stronger than he was. He was a cowardly dog who always ran with his tail between his legs. He was weak…

Gohan let out a deep sigh and opened his amber eyes again. The salty tears slipped down his cheeks sparkling in the setting sun's rays. Hope wasn't gone yet. As long as Trunks stayed alive this world was safe. Gohan reminded himself harshly, that by entering this world he had just put Trunks in more danger. He risked more lives the longer he stayed. Bojack was still looking for him.


Trunks sat on the back platform of Capsule Corp. watching the stars. He smiled the first smile for days. He could just recall the way Gohan used to ruffle his hair when Trunks wanted to stop training to watch the stars. Gohan always said that was exactly the same thing he did. Then he would tousle Trunks' hair lightly saying Trunks was such a goof ball. Trunks brushed his purple bangs out of his eyes as the gleaming orbs reflected their glory in his cerulean eyes.

"They remind me of what I want to be someday," Trunks said softly as the wind swept past the two warriors on the beach.

"And what would that be?" Gohan said amused. "On fire?"

Trunks sent him a swift glare of annoyance that was quickly removed by a smile and Trunks' cherubic laughter.

"No… strong. And independent," Trunks stated looking up at the stars again. "I wouldn't need anyone! I'd be all powerful!"

"You mean alone…" Gohan said in a depressed tone.

"Well yeah..." Trunks said clenching his fists. "But I would wander the world and be a hero! Mighty Trunks!"

"Sometimes it isn't that great…" Gohan said gently. "Being alone."

"What do you mean?" Trunks asked bewildered.

"When you're alone…" Gohan struggled to find the right words. "You have only have your mind to keep you company… sometimes the mind is cruel."

Trunks wondered what Gohan had meant by that. How could your own mind be cruel to you? It's your mind!

Trunks jumped about a foot when something cold and wet touched his unprotected hand. He spun about to find the little pup sitting on the platform its tail swishing out behind it. Trunks scowled deeply and hissed, "Go away, mutt."

Trunks sat back down and scooted away from the puppy. Apparently, the dog didn't understand so it followed Trunks and took a seat at his side. Trunks was repulsed and tried to frighten it away by screaming at it. The dog wasn't fazed. It was staring at Trunks as if to say,

Okay…that was entertaining but can you pet me now?

"GO AWAY!" Trunks shouted. "DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND, YOU MANGY MUTT?! GET LOST! VAMOOSE! BE GONE! LEAVE ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!"

The dog tilted its head slight watching Trunks with its large black eyes. Trunks found himself almost adoring the dog for a second. He huffed angrily and sat back down.

"Just because I have given up doesn't mean I like you or anything…" He snapped.

The puppy laid its small head in Trunks' lap. Mirai Trunks had to smile. He scratched the dog behind its ears. He actually found the dog nice to have around after all.


Gohan was just heading back into Capsule Corp. when he heard Trunks' voice. He seemed to be talking to someone. As curiosity often got the better of him, Gohan stopped to listen.

"How about the name… uh… Gohan?" Trunks said compassionately to the dog at his side. "Would you like that?"

The dog let out a chipper bark.

Gohan found his heart melting slightly.

"Now I feel even more guilty…"

Bulma hummed while she took out the laundry. She was just thinking of what she should make for breakfast in the morning when she found Goten's wear all nice and clean. Her eyes widened in shock.

"B-but this is…"


Gohan sat up out of bed, sweat covering his face. He shook himself lightly reminding himself it was just bad dream but for some reason he couldn't stop shaking. It felt so real.

The morning sun had made its way across the two beds in Trunks' room warming the white bed sheets. Gohan figured he would still be dreaming if not for the warm sun rays. His mouth was dry which indicated that he was probably screaming in his sleep. Gohan turned to apologize to Trunks to find he wasn't in his bed. Gohan gave it no mind. Perhaps he was with 'Gohan' playing.

The smell of eggs filled Gohan's nose. His mouth watered lightly. He had forgotten how hungry he got in the mornings.

Gohan rose from the bed and slipped on some jeans and a light blue tee shirt of Trunks' that had 'Capsule Corp' in white on the corner of the right sleeve. He quickly ran downstairs.

As soon as Gohan entered the kitchen he knew something was terribly wrong.

"Trunks, be a dear and take care of Gohan while I make breakfast," Bulma said without turning around.

Gohan didn't answer her. He quickly exited to room shutting the door roughly behind him. Bulma twisted about and blinked, "Trunks?"


Gohan raced up to Trunks' room, panic rising in his chest.

"Kami, this can't be happening," He whispered.

He glanced about to see anything out of place. Finally he caught sight of the opened window. Trunks had made a getaway. And Gohan knew where he was going…

To Be Continued…
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