I am sorry for the long time in between updates, but I was busy with other stories and uninspired to write more with this one. But I have found some inspiration and now I will write more of this story. I hope you all like it.
Chapter 1: First Impressions
The cool of the night air fell upon the countryside and peaceful sounds started to emanate from the foliage as night birds and nocturnal animals started to move about. The calm stillness was evident as the late summer sky revealed stars so clear they hardly twinkled at all. At the same time, the three visible planets-Venus by the western horizon, Jupiter high above, and Saturn close to it-shone brightly. There was no place that Goten ever wanted to be more, he knew no other paradise and his simple six-year-old mind couldn't contemplate a better life then the one he had. A call from his mother brought him back to the house from the wide expanse of grass out back, and he trudged in with more than a little bounce in his step. The boy took off his shoes and walked into the kitchen for dinner, a little later than usual, and took his seat next to his older brother who was already drooling from thinking of food. Less than a minute later, his father came up to the table and sat down, ready to eat as well. All three dug into the food as soon as Chi-Chi put it on the table and their Saiya-jin and half Saiya-jin stomachs seemed to never be filled. Goten looked up at his brother, wondering what he was thinking, wondering if he was staring at his father again. Gohan had once tried to explain to his little brother the way that Goku had died in his fight with Cell, but Goten didn't understand. After all, he was only a few months old when Goku had been allowed to return to life and he had never known a time without him. The food disappeared almost as soon as it was brought out and Goten levitated up to the sink to help his mother with the dishes, his tail waving back and forth rapidly. While he was doing this, he overheard a conversation; his brother and father were talking about something. He wasn't sure but it sounded like they were going to be going to a party of sorts next weekend at the house of some rich lady that his father once knew. They went on and Goten heard his own name followed by 'Saiya-jin' a short while later and then a few words later another name 'Vegetable-something', he thought, but he wasn't sure. He went on drying dishes, unaware of the impact this would have on his life due to the fact that those people he had never met had a son that was also half Saiya-jin and only a little older than he. Then he heard his own name again and then he distinctly heard Gohan ask what his name was, to which his father responded 'Trunks'. The name had an effect on Goten instantly, though he wasn't sure why, he thought it was a really funny name, but was nonetheless interested in whoever this Trunks person was. Shrugging his shoulders, he ignored the rest of their conversation and walked back up to his room to get ready for his bath, and then bed.
Far off in a city named after some idiot who claimed to have been the true defeater of Cell, a large house sat bearing the name 'Capsule Corp.'. Inside, another family mixed with Saiya-jin blood was ready for dinner of their own, at least, the mother was. Vegeta was nowhere to be found, although the once Prince of the Saiya-jin was probably off training somewhere. Bulma sighed at the disfunctionality of her family and called outside for her son, who was musing at the quiet outside. Trunks sat down on the cool grass, the only grass for miles in the city proper, and gazed up at the stars. He had a favorite; a beautiful blue star that he thought strongly resembled his own eyes, but could never pronounce its name. His mother called it Betelgeuse but he could only say 'Beetlejuice' and his mother would laugh and say that was close enough for a seven-year-old. He sometimes hated living in the city, he wanted somewhere to sit and gaze at the stars without knowing he was just in a small backyard. He heard the call from his mother and waked inside, his purple hair bouncing about his head and he tracked some grass and dirt into the entry on his boots. The angry cleaning-robots quickly re-shined the floor and retreated back to their closets just as the boy sat down at the table. For once, his father actually showed up on time and even though he was rough on him, Trunks looked up to his father and was glad he was there to share dinner. His mother brought out the food and the two ate it all quickly, barely leaving any for Bulma and finishing fast. Trunks was busy eating his dessert when he overheard his mother and father talking about something. He wasn't sure, but it sounded like there was going to be a party here that weekend and they were inviting someone that his mother knew from a long time ago. He heard the word 'Saiya-jin' and then something like 'That dammed third class baka' followed closely by some choice curse words from his father. He went on eating his ice cream, unaware that the man and his wife that were coming over had a young son, half Saiya-jin just like him, and only a year younger. Then he heard his own name again and then he distinctly heard Vegeta ask what his name was, to which his mother responded 'Goten'. The name had an effect on Trunks instantly, though he wasn't sure why, he thought it was a really funny name, but was nonetheless interested in whoever this Goten person was. Shrugging his shoulders, he ignored the rest of their conversation, finished his ice cream, and then walked back up to his room to get ready for his own bath, and then bed.
That Saturday evening, the preparations were ready for the party at the Capsule Corp house, though the two full Saiya-jins had no desire whatsoever to see each other. Goten was almost jumping up and down in place as his mother tried to put his good clothes on him. He hated the clothes she had him wear; he preferred to wear his Gi at all times even though he looked quite cute in this little outfit. But he finally sat still long enough for his mother to finish adjusting the collar and he ran out to play with Gohan. Chi-Chi reminded him not to get dirty, but he hardly noticed. A few minutes later, they all left towards the city to meet these people for the first time and change Goten's life forever.
Meanwhile, at Capsule Corp., the house had been decked out in festive attire, decorations and such all over and expensive paintings and sculptures strategically placed for the best effect. Trunks refused to stop squirming as his mother tried vainly to straighten his pants and comb his hair at the same time. He thought the pants were too tight and the collar was a bit constricting and really would have liked to wear his fighting Gi or at least his normal clothes, but his mother wouldn't have it and insisted he looked adorable in this little outfit. He was told to help set up the stuff and went to place some more food on the table, still not believing these people could eat as much as he and his dad could. A little while later they were ready to meet these people for the first time and change Trunks' life forever.
The doorbell rang, and Bulma walked over to open it, Trunks saw a tall man with wild spiky hair but left before he saw anyone else. The adults started chatting instantly and Goten dove onto the food and ate anything he could find, not wanting to wait for dinner. Trunks really didn't like social encounters and decided to get out of the way, walking up to his room to change. Goten was a bit shy at all the attention as everyone said he looked so much like his dad and that short guy with the really spiky hair kept giving him death glares. He talked with Gohan and his older brother suggested he make good use of the backyard pool and Goten decided that was a good idea since he loved to swim. Grabbing his swim shorts from his mother's bag, he went into a nearby bathroom to change. Trunks took off his clothes slowly, thinking about how mad his mom would really be if he jumped out of the window into the pool again. Deciding against it, Trunks took out his...err...trunks and put them on, walking downstairs past a shut bathroom door toward the pool in the backyard. Goten finally finished figuring out which way to put on his swim wear and walked a bit nervously out into the backyard. He approached the side of the spacious pool with a smallish spa nearby and looked around, seeing no one at first but then in the dim light he suddenly spotted someone in the water swimming around. At first the hair gave him the distinct impression that it was a girl, but a closer look showed Goten that it was a boy about his age. On top of that he had a tail just like his own, and he decided this must be those nice people's son. Trunks was getting bored swimming around in circles when he sensed a presence and turned to see someone standing uncomfortably at the side of the pool. He had no idea what was up with the hair, sticking in all directions, but noticed the boy was about his age and also had a tail that looked a whole lot like the one he had. He decided that he must be the younger son of the people over right now and swam over closer. Goten stepped uncertainly into the cool water, holding onto the side carefully as the other boy swam up. At the exact same time they looked up as Trunks stood in the shallow water and their eyes met. Trunks thought he had the most interesting eyes, black and depthless but at the same time shining with life deep inside. Goten was simultaneously strongly enthralled with the other boy's eyes; he saw they matched the sky for both color and intrigue and were also shiny with a strength from within. They just looked at each other for a little while; both too shy to talk, and determined they must be part Saiya-jin like they were because of the tails and from the energy they felt from each other.
The seconds ticked by and neither boy could find something to say to the other as they just stood there. Finally Trunks took the initiative and spoke: "Hey, you mus' be Goten." Upon hearing his name, the younger boy smiled and said: "Yeah, and I bet you're Trunks-kun, ne?" Honestly, Trunks had no idea why the kid had attached that suffix at the end of his name, nobody really called him that even though one was supposed to, but he also smiled. "So, what's up?" Trunks asked. "Ah," Goten said, "nothing really." Trunks reached over the side and picked up a foam noodle, handing it to Goten and taking one for himself. Goten had seen these before, he had little fights with Gohan with them in the tub by his house, and knew what to do. Before he could react, he was whacked over the head by the purple haired boy and quickly swung back. Trunks was surprised at the speed of the spiky haired kid but knew he was stronger because he had been training with his father for a while now. After a time, they got bored with the game and sat down by the pool, dripping water onto the chairs and starting to talk a bit about nothing in particular. The connection was almost instantaneous; both of them had a lot in common being the only two kids their age with Saiya-jin blood, and they were a lot alike in many ways. There was also something else, something inside both of the young children that drew them close and they became friends fast. They dried themselves off and headed back toward the house for dinner as their parents called them and they walked in side by side. When the time came to sit down at the table, Trunks and Goten, after changing back into their clothes, automatically chose a seat next to each other. Everyone went after the food and the Saiya-jin all tried in vain to eat civilized while Trunks tried to get Goten to eat with his chopsticks instead of his fingers, with limited success. After dinner, the adults all went for a few drinks and the two boys paired off and went up to Trunks room. "Wow!" Goten said, beaming as they walked in. He looked around at all the stuff and then at the huge bed. "You get that whole thing jus' for you?" Trunks grinned, "Yep! It's all mine!" Goten walked over and sat down on the bed, marveling at how soft it felt to him and looked back at Trunks, who took off his shoes and jumped on the bed. "Com'on, you can get on if ya want, Goten," Trunks said. "Okay, thanks Trunks-kun!" Goten said, throwing off his own shoes and lying down on the bed.
Downstairs, Goku and Vegeta were naturally avoiding each other and were talking with their wives. "But Chi-Chi," Goku pleaded. "That guy's dangerous, I don't know if Goten should be friends with his son." His wife crossed her arms and said: "Well I don't care, he needs someone like that, and it will be good for him to know someone that can keep up with him." Seeing his argument was being shot down before it was made, Goku sighed and went to get some more of that strange tasting stuff that was clear like water but burned him inside. Close by, Vegeta was almost cursing at his wife, "Woman, I don't want my son having anything to do with Kakarotto's younger child!" Bulma wasn't shaken by his insistence and shot back: "Hey, look, there is nobody else his age that is like him, he can't just train with you all the time and he needs someone that he can't kill if he hits them too hard." Vegeta just 'humph'ed and stormed off thinking that there was no way he was going to let his son form a bond with the spawn of that third-class idiot.
Unaware of their parent's arguments, the two boys lay next to each other in Trunks extra-comfy bed and talked some more. Within a few more minutes, they started to feel sleep pull at their eyes and Goten yawned loudly. "Man, I'm tired," he said. "Yeah," Trunks said. "Me too." They both yawned in unison and Goten shifted a bit to get more comfortable. Trunks looked out the window in the opposite wall for a while thinking he should go to sleep because it was so late and then he abruptly noticed a soft snoring. He rolled over and looked at the small boy sleeping next to him and smiled, he looked a bit funny, he thought. Deciding that was his cue, he laid back against the pillow, just a little closer to Goten, and fell asleep. Deep in their own dreams, they moved around a bit and Goten clung gently to Trunks' arm, used to cuddling up to his older brother. Trunks thought he felt something, but really didn't wake up and instead snuggled closer to the unexpected warmth.
Gohan looked around at the twenty or so doors in the hallway where Bulma-san said he would find Trunks' room, wondering which was the right one. "Uh, which door is Trunks' room?" he hollered down the stairs. "It's the one with the name-plate on the door that says 'Trunks', Gohan," came the voice from below. Gohan turned and saw the correct door right next to him, emblazoned with a tin plate saying 'Trunks' room'. He grinned Son-style, scratching the back of his head and knocked softly, but getting no answer. He extended his senses to feel out the boys' Ki and was surprised to feel them stable, a sign they were sleeping. Wondering what could ever get his little brother to sit still for a second much less sleep, he opened the door and steeped in, a bit shocked at what he saw. His younger brother was clinging to Vegeta's son and Trunks was cuddling right back; both smiling with their tails tightly coiled. But they barely know each other, Gohan thought, wondering if he ever had a close friend like that. Deciding that it was just natural for young boys to bond that fast, he walked over to the bedside and stroked Goten's hair. "Hey kiddo, wake up, we gotta go home," he said softly. Goten woke slowly and shifted in place, opening his eyes and yawning again. "Okay niichan, let's go then," he said, wanting to go back to sleep again as soon as possible. Trunks woke up as well and the three went back downstairs. Vegeta looked over and scowled as he saw his only son still walking next to the boy, but looked away without saying anything. Just a short while later, the Son family were outside in front of the house, and ready to leave. Bulma and Chi-Chi said their goodbyes and made arrangements to have dinner again sometime soon, despite the friction between their husbands. Trunks stood back and watched as they left, looking at Goten and they waved to each other with a quick 'bye'.
Goten looked out the back window as they pulled away and strained to watch his new friend until he couldn't see him anymore. He was thinking about when would be the next time he might see him again, he seemed like a nice boy. Trunks was thinking about the same thing as his new friend disappeared in the distance and he wondered if he could go to his house sometime, he really wanted to see what his room was like. His mother ushered him back inside and he walked slowly up the stairs, thinking about the boy and how nice he seemed to be. He wasn't used to having a friend that was so much like he was, and he felt comfortable with him, he really wanted to spend more time with him. Both Trunks and Goten went to sleep thinking about the day and about each other, falling asleep eventually and already missing the comfort of each other's presence.
A bit of a long chapter, I know, but I had a lot to talk about and a lot to introduce. I hope I did okay, and I would appreciate it if you would review, thanks.