And the story continues…
Chapter 9: the returnA year later, a certain raven-haired demi-saiyan was flying to Capsule Corp. His red cape wiped the air as he flew and his helmet shined with the reflected sun.
How do I get myself into these situations? He asked himself before landing by the front door of the large compound. He looked up at the sign and smiled to himself.
"Gohan?" a voice belonging to a little girl asked. Gohan turned to meet two golden orbs shinning at him. He grinned.
"Hi Zar chan. what's up?" he asked as he observed Zara in her usual casual outfit of jeans and a cream t-shirt.
"I was about to ask you the same thing." She asked smiling. She pressed the buzzer by the door and turned back to the teenager.
"So what brings you here? I thought Goten wasn't coming round here today." She asked. Gohan laughed.
"It's a long story. You'll find out in a minute." Was his reply as the door opened and Trunks stuck his head out.
"Hey Zara. Hey Gohan." He grinned before looking at Gohan, "Mum's in her lab."
Gohan nodded and walked past him with a 'thanks squirt'.
Later, Gohan was in the lab with a working Bulma.
"…And that's it." Gohan finished a long explanation. Bulma nodded and put down the blowtorch she had been holding, smiling at him.
"So this Videl finds out about your little secret so now you have to teach her to fly and enter the budokai? That could only happen to you Gohan." The woman shook her head then smiled again. "I'll help out then, what do you need?"
"A new disguise. I'm not allowed head protection." Gohan answered, rolling his eyes and pointing to his helmet that lay on the workbench. Bulma nodded thoughtfully and walked to the intercom.
"Trunks, could you get that box in my room? The one in the closet. Thanks." She turned to Gohan "While we're waiting, how's life treating you, kid?"
Gohan started talking about school and family and after awhile Trunks appeared in the doorway carrying a large cardboard box and Zara in tow.
"You wanted this mum?" the lavender haired prince asked. Bulma nodded and took the box from him and over to the bench. She started rummaging through it, everyone else watching curiously, and soon came out holding a white bandana and some sunglasses.
"There you go. This should do fine." She said as she smiled and handed them over to Gohan. He smiled and put them on.
"Thanks Bulma. You don't need me to do anything, do you?" he asked. Bulma shook her head while Trunks finally gave way to his curiosity.
"Mum, what are they for?"
Bulma looked over at her son.
"Gohan is entering the next Budokai tournament and needed me to fix his costume." She said. Trunks stared at Gohan.
"Wow, are you?"
"Yea, Trunks, but I'm going to be the only person of our level there. It won't be much of a competition." Gohan said sadly.
"What won't be?" a gruff voice asked. Everyone looked round to see Vegeta had joined them.
"Gohan has entered the Budokai." Zara replied, not really showing much interest. Vegeta stared at her then at Gohan.
"Is this true?"
"Yep…" Gohan nodded. Vegeta looked thoughtful for a moment then "So will I"
Everyone stared at Vegeta.
"You will?"
"Cool."
"Bet dad wins…" Trunks whispered to Zara and she giggled, she had to agree.
Vegeta smirked with the reaction of his decision before another voice entered the discussion.
I think I will too… everyone blinked and looked around for the source of the voice.
"Dad?" Gohan asked as he looked up.
"Goku? Is that you?" Bulma asked, looking at the same spot as Gohan.
Yep, it's me all right Goku's bodiless voice said happily. It's so good to talk to you guys again!
"Wait, Goku, how can you enter the tournament if you're dead?" Bulma asked. Gohan looked at the scientist then back at the spot on the ceiling.
"Yea, dad, I was wondering that myself. How can you?"
Goku chuckled. King kai says I can come back for a day. Kinda like a reward for saving the universe. He exclaimed. Instantly Bulma and Gohan's faces donned large grins.
"Really? You can come back?"
Yep but only for a day mind. Then I have to come back here. He explained.
"Even so, it's not something to be taken lightly, Goku." Bulma said, still grinning.
Vegeta then spoke up.
"Kakarot! I will be expecting to fight you in this tournament! You will not get out of that!"
Don't worry Vegeta, I wouldn't dream of disappointing you. It should be good. Goku chuckled. He was looking forward to a rematch with Vegeta just as much as Vegeta was.
Guess I'll see you guys in a couple of months then. I'm looking forward to it! Goku said before everything went quiet. Gohan grinned.
"All right! Dad's coming home! I gotta go tell everyone!" Gohan exclaimed happily. "Thanks for your help Bulma, I'll see you around!" he said before running out.
As everyone began to file out Zara frowned and looked at Trunks.
"Who's this Goku guy?" she asked. Trunks laughed.
"He's Gohan and Goten's dad." He quickly explained when he saw her glare. "They say he's the best. Course I say my dad could wipe the floor with him." He added.
"Oh, that guy. Now I remember the goat talking about him."
She said, referring to Goten. She had started calling him that ever since he
decided to call her
'Zar-zar'.
"So what happened to him?" Zara asked as they walked outside, into a beautifully sunny day.
"I don't know the exact story. Dad says the gang were fighting this guy named Cell and Gohan got big headed. Goku ended up having to step in and give up his life to stop Cell from blowing up the planet. Course the guy came back and Gohan had to fight him again." Trunks explained. Zara nodded slowly then looked up, her eyes going wide. She stopped dead in her tracks and it took Trunks a few seconds to realise she wasn't with him. He turned and stared at her.
"What's wrong?" he asked. Zara pointed behind him and Trunks slowly turned round.
Standing outside Zara's house was a tall man in casual jeans and t-shirt. He had long, blonde hair that was tied messily in a ponytail and he wore a blue headband. On either side of his face were two thick bangs, framing his handsome face. He also had large, golden eyes that reminded him a lot of Zara's.
Trunks turned back to his friend, confused.
"Who is he?" he asked. Zara didn't answer and just stared at the blonde figure. Trunks looked back at him as well and noticed, for the first time, that his power level was slowly rising and dropping as he smirked at the house. Soon the front door opened and Sam stepped out. She stared at the man before grinning and at lightning fast speed pounced on him. The blonde man laughed as he caught her and spun her round.
This just made Trunks more confused. Sam did not act that way. She appeared at awkward moments just to insult you and take Zara away to train. Not jump at strange men.
He looked round at Zara again for answers to find that she was crouching by the fence, listening in. Trunks frowned and knelt next to her.
"What's going-"
"Shh!" she cut off and watched her mother and the man. Trunks sighed and watched as well.
The Grownups had just parted from a particularly passionate kiss and now Sam was asking the man questions.
"What are you doing here? I thought the front line was caught up?"
"Yea…it was. But I had to see you. Thought I would surprise you." He smirked and raised his brow seductively before leaning in for another kiss. Sam pushed him back grinning.
"You left you're troops short one man? There best man as well. Something's up."
He sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Maybe, but can't we put business aside? I haven't been able to see you properly in years. Those video links weren't much you know." He said. Sam sighed as well.
"I know. I didn't like having to send those things but you're going to have to wait. Start explaining mister!"
"Come on onna, can't you let loose for a while…"
"Nope, last time I did that we got a daughter, which might I add started this mess. We can do that later; I want to know what's been going on without me!" she said, suddenly getting more excited. The blonde's ears had perked up at the mention of the word daughter.
"Where is she? Where's Zara? Has she been ok? Have you both been ok?" he asked, suddenly looking slightly worried. Sam waved his questions away with an elegant wave of her hand.
"Yes, yes we're both fine. Guess I better let you see her before we- Tank?"
The man was now staring at the fence. His eyes were fixed there and Zara stiffly got up and kept her head down. She was nervous, Trunks observed, but what about?
Zara swallowed hard before risking a glance at the blonde.
"Hi, dad…"
Trunks stared blankly as the blonde, now known as Tank, made quick strides towards her and knelt down in front of her. He looked into her eyes as she bit her lip and eventually he wrapped her into a tight hug.
I've been so worried about you guys… Tank spoke so only his family could hear. Sam looked on at them almost longingly as Zara wrapped her arms around her father's neck.
"Daddy…" she mumbled as he scooped her up.
"I'm here, kiddo." He whispered back and started walking back towards Sam.
"Wait!" a voice yelled. Tank looked round just to be punched across the face by Vegeta. The Kalroo growled and glared at Vegeta.
"What the bloody hell was that for?"
"For leaving me with the blame after messing up Frieza's bar. I've been wanting to do that for years." The prince said with a smirk. Tank still glared.
"Right. I'll deal with you later, monkey." He said, turning back to his wife.
"Sure you will, baka." Vegeta replied.
Trunks stared from his father to Tank. Zara looked over Tanks shoulder and waved bye to Trunks as Tank slipped his arm round Sam and led her into the house.
"Zara?" Trunks said to the air.
~~~~~~
Tank left Zara in her room and walked down stairs to his wife. He found Sam in the living room in an armchair waiting.
"Now will you explain? Did you guys win or what?" she asked as soon as he was fully in the room.
"No. Wars not over yet." He said wearily and sat down on the sofa. Sam stared at him and got up. She walked over to him and knelt in front of him.
"Then what's going on?"
He sighed and pulled her up, on to his lap.
"Before I tell you, promise me you won't start."
"What's going on, Tank?"
"He's stronger then we thought. Ok? We can't break through. He took out half the troops in one move! Nothings working…" he trailed off. Sam stared at him.
"So you came here to ask your 'defenceless onna' to bail you out. Even though she told you not to come crying to her when you get stuck with out her?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Tank growled.
"I said don't start. Besides, you were just mad about me leaving you here when you said that. You had no idea if you could make a difference and you still don't." Tank replied. Sam rolled her eyes in response.
"What ever. Just tell me your plan and I may consider going and helping."
"You mean you will. No maybe about it." He said coldly. Sam gave him a look that read 'oh will I now?' "Onna! You know what'll happen if he gets his hands on her the-" Sam had placed a finger on his lips to silence him.
"I know, baka. I was there when it was explained to you. There's no way I'm letting him near her. When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow. What about Zara?"
"My grandfather can watch her. Although I have a feeling that the rest of my stupid bloodline would have found out about her once I drop her off…" she sighed.
"The old geezer knows not to let them near her. It's only for a little while. Then we'll be free to move around the galaxy, just like before. It'll be safe for her."
Sam just nodded as her husband tried to comfort her. Tank pulled her face round gently so she could see into his golden orbs.
"It'll be fine. No one has ever beaten us and I don't intend on starting a losing strike now." He said firmly. Sam smiled. I missed you. She thought as she embraced him. He smirked. I know onna, I know.
Up on the stairs, Zara sighed. Looks like I don't have much longer…she thought and bit her lip before rushing back to her room, locking the door behind her.
~~~~~~
The next morning Trunks woke up to find a piece of paper over his face. Odd…he thought as he sat up. He looked towards the window and out to the next house to see it empty. No ki signatures were inside it. Trunks sighed. Guess they went to do some family training.
He slowly got up and changed into some shorts and a loose sleeveless t-shirt before picking up the paper. He blinked as he realised it was wet and he went to his desk to read it.
"Trunks,
You saw dad came back. But I guess you don't know what that means. The truth is he was fighting in a war that's been going on for years. I don't know why but that's what he's been doing and he came to get mum to go fight with him. I don't know what will happen when they come back, if they come back, but I do know I'll be forced to leave. I'll never see you or Goten again…
Until they come back I'll be staying with my great grandpa. He lives in the mountains somewhere, I don't know where. But in case I don't ever see you again I want you to know that you were the best friend I ever had. My first actually but you're still the best. Heck you taught me a lot. Thanks.
Zar"
He looked up, wide-eyed.
"No…Zara!"
He jumped out his window and flew to hers, yanking it open. He looked round her room to find it practically empty. All her clothes had gone and now there was only the furniture left. He looked around then sighed. She had gone. He hadn't said goodbye and now he'd never see her again.
He sighed sadly and floated out and back to his own room.
~~~~~~
The next few months moved by quickly. All of the Z Shensi were busy training for the up coming budokai. Trunks and Goten had decided to join in too and Trunks now had to train with Vegeta under heavy gravity. And Goten finally learnt how to fly along with Gohan's 'friend' Videl.
The day of the budokai came round fast and soon Trunks found himself crossing off the last day on his calendar.
He grinned to himself.
"Alright! The budokai is here!"
~~~~~~
A/N: there we go. So, what's up with Tank & Sam and who exactly are they so worried about? And will Trunks ever see Zara again? Stay tuned to find out!