"Good question."

"Is there a good answer?"

"Not to you. But to me there is. You wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

"Well, when my mum said that she had wanted me to be a girl, it hurt me really badly. Worse than anything before. And, I don't know why. Because, I know my mum loves me and wouldn't change me if she had the chance, but whatever she says to me, I just can't believe. I want to, I really do. But my mind just…doesn't. I didn't know I was going to run away for this long, when she said it I just wanted her to realise it had hurt me, so I took off for a while. Then I realised I had a capsule house in my pocket and decided, ok maybe a few days will teach her lesson. But every day I was away from her even more, ii just wanted to stay away even longer, just to try and cause her the pain she had caused me. I don't know why. And it must me sound completely horrible for saying that."

"It doesn't make you sound horrible Trunks. It's makes it sound like you have feelings. Which everybody has. Feelings are a good thing to have, even if Vegeta has said otherwise. But, what do you think will happen if you stay out here any longer? That everything will get better? That Bulma will realise how deep she's hurt you and let you carry on living here? That you'll be happy? You won't be, and you know it. Bulma has always been so good to you. Given you what you like, taught you how to be a real gentleman, let you train with Vegeta, which I must say is really good, Chichi would never let Gohan train with me unless for a really good reason. How could you pass that all up just because you're hurting? It will hurt a lot less to go home and talk things out. The longer you stay out here, the longer Bulma will be without you, and the more you'll grow apart from each other. And the more angry Vegeta will get at you for turning his wife into a miserable wreck."

"I know. But so what if we grow far apart? Bra will fill the gap."

"So that's what this is about?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're jealous."

"I am not. Why would I be jealous of her?"

"Trunks…"

"Ok! Ok. Maybe I am a little jealous. I have worked my whole life to be the genius my mum wants me to be, and the fighter dad wants me to be. I never got to sleep in my parents bed when I was a baby, my dad never held me when I was young. How do you think I feel when I see my mum treating her like a princes just because she's a girl? And no doubt it will get worse as she gets older. Craving attention."

"But I can bet she'll want attention from you the most Trunks. You're her big brother. I know it's weird, Gohan was thrilled when Goten was born, but then Chichi started being all sweet to Goten and sending Gohan off to study and all that. But you remember when the world tournament was on? And all the years before that? After Goten was a toddler? They got on great. When Goten was old enough to answer back to Chichi, he was always at Gohan's side. Bra will probably want to be like that with you. You just have to give it time. Bra may become the best thing to ever happen to you and your whole family. But she won't be if Bulma can't look after her right as a baby. Which she obviously can't right now because she's so depressed. She expected you to be there the whole time, helping her with Bra, considering Vegeta doesn't know what he's doing."

Trunks laughed quietly and turned to look at Goku.

"So you think I should go home?"

"I think you shouldn't let me pressure you into going home. Only go if you want to."

Trunks stood up and looked around the room with a sigh.

"Well, this place is getting pretty boring."

Goku smiled happily and stood up next to him.

"Want me to take you home."

"If you wouldn't mind. Thanks Goku…you're the only one to actually make sense lately. Dad was kinda ordering me to go home, and I wouldn't believe what my mum said. You were right about me being able to talk to you."

"I'm glad. You can always talk to me. Unless Chichi's around cuz then she'll want to get involved."

Trunks laughed happily and placed his hand on Goku's shoulder and the black haired Saiyen lifted two fingers to his forehead.

A few seconds later they were back in Bulma's bedroom. Chichi almost screamed when she saw them. Bulma had fallen asleep, exhausted on the bed. Trunks noticed the wet patch under her face where she had been crying and felt a pang of guilt. Chichi stood up happily and gave Trunks a huge hug.

"I'm so glad you decided to come back."

"Thanks. It's all thanks to Goku though."

"Really? The same Goku that thinks fighting is fun?"

Goku frowned playfully.

"What's that supposed to mean? I can be smart when I want to."

"Yeah, but its such a rare thing hunny."

Goku smiled and took hold of Chichi's hand and started to pull her out of the room.

"Good luck Trunks."

Trunks nodded gratefully.

"Thanks. And thanks for everything else."

"No problem. See you later."

Trunks sat down on a chair next to the bed and watched guiltily as Bulma started shaking in her sleep. He pulled the covers up to her neck and tucked them tightly round her shoulders. Bulma stirred in her sleep at the feel of the covers moving. She thought it was Vegeta coming to join her and smiled. She opened her eyes slowly and her smile faded when she saw the image of her son staring down at her.

"Trunks…?"