Night Crawlers

Chapter Two

For the past six months, Trunks, Gohan and Piccolo had felt an enormous sense of peace as they had begun to help the villages rebuild.

During their free time, they trained. Hoping never again to be caught unprepared.

Piccolo sat in meditation as Gohan and Trunks sparred. High in the sky, the two Saiyans exchanged powerful blows.

Piccolo couldn't help but smile slightly. Trunks' true personality had begun to emerge. He seemed happier. More like a fifteen year old boy should be. As hard as all this had been on Gohan, it was harder on Trunks. The boy never had a chance to be a kid. He was thrust into a harshness that no one should have to endure. The things he had seen and done. Stripped of all innocence before he could even understand the world around him.

Then, there was Gohan. Gone was the once happy-go-lucky boy. Piccolo watched as he grew into a man of sadness. Solemn and full of hate. Although his physical resemblance to his father, Goku, was stunning, that is where the similarities ended. Goku had a way of shrugging off the tragedies. The loss. Where as Gohan held onto it. Clutched it deep inside his heart as it turned to bitterness. Used it as a rage that sent him to higher levels. To Super Saiyan.

Now, Gohan wanted to achieve even greater power. He pushed himself constantly. Trunks as well. For Gohan considered himself the big brother to the smaller boy. They shared so much. Heritage. Pain. Power.

Trunks had not yet reached Super Saiyan, so that is why Gohan was pushing him now. Strangely enough, Piccolo was the one who had to step in and make Gohan realize he was being too hard on the boy.

"That's enough for today." Piccolo said angrily.

"You didn't used to baby me that way." Gohan said, breathing hard. "Why now?"

"Times change. People change. Let him enjoy some of his life now." Piccolo told him loudly. "Doesn't he deserve it? Don't you?" He put his hand on Gohan's shoulder speaking more calm. "Why don't you take him into town. Have some fun."

Gohan nodded. "I guess I could." He turned to leave. "Where are you going to be? Home?"

"Yes." Piccolo answered.

Gohan went over to Trunks, who was lying on the grass panting like a dog. "Come on, Trunks. We are going into town."

"Really?" Trunks asked. He suddenly jumped up as if he had received a sensu bean. "Alright!"

Gohan smiled. "That doesn't mean you will be free to roam….you stay with me. Understand?" Gohan knew that, although he didn't mean to, sometimes Trunks was a trouble magnet. Always wanting to help, getting in over his head. He was led by his heart.

Trunks nodded.

Piccolo watched the two as they flew away. Then, he headed home.

Home.

It was a large cave high in the mountains. Inside, they had the basics. Blankets. Candles. For so long they had to live on nothing. So now, the small things meant so much. The books that Gohan spent reading in his spare time were stacked in the corner. Trunks had a talent for drawing. He had obtained some pencils and drawing paper that were piled on his sleeping bag.

Piccolo was still Piccolo……he required only water and solitude.

He took a position under a nearby waterfall and slipped into a deep meditation. Having waited so long for peace, he drank it in as often as he could.

In the village, everyone recognized Gohan and Trunks. They all knew that they had been the ones to destroy the Androids. Along with a large green man who remained hidden. Being the town heroes, they had no problem acquiring the things they needed. Small markets had popped up in town allowing people to gather for trade and barter. Yet, all Gohan had to do was pick up a book and it was given to him. The same with Trunks.

"I need some new drawing paper!" Trunks said, hurrying off to the paper stand. His lavender hair was long, down his back and pulled back with a band. Gohan couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm.

"AH!" The shopkeeper said. "Young Trunks! What can I do for you today?" He smiled. "Paper? Pencils?"

"Hello, Sir." Trunks said. "Some paper please."

The gentleman filled a small bag with the style of paper that he knew Trunks liked. "Here you are, son. Anything else?"

"No Sir. Thank you!" Trunks said. He hurried back to Gohan, who had waited on the corner for him.

"Got it!" Trunks told him. "Where to now?"

"Piccolo said I needed to let you relax some. So, whatever you want to do….within reason…is fine with me." Gohan tried not to smile, but the look of sheer joy on the boy's face was almost too much to take.

"Can we just walk around? Maybe much on some fruit?" Trunks asked.

Gohan nodded. It amazed him at how little it took to make Trunks happy.

Although there were fewer than 500 actual residents in the town, there were many travelers around. People that came from other parts of the globe. On any given day, there could be double the number of people in the trading area due to the travelers.

Today, the streets were crowded as Gohan and Trunks walked side by side. They were greeted by villagers and ignored by the travelers who did not know their reputation. Finding different fruit stands, they helped themselves to fresh apples and grapes.

"Piccolo doesn't know what he's missing!" Trunks said sadly. "I wish he would come out more." It was obvious that he had a deep love and respect for his Namekian mentor…almost like a father.

Gohan laughed. "Piccolo has always been a loner. Always will be. I don't see him strolling through town with a shopping bag on his arm!"

They both laughed at the picture Gohan had created in their minds. "Still….I wish.." Trunks started to elaborate, but stopped as they heard a large commotion down the sidewalk. They both hurried forward.

It appeared to be a fight. Gohan saw three men, large and burly attacking the shopkeeper of a vegetable stand. Gohan hurried up as one of the men threw the farmer to the ground. Before he could hurt him further, Gohan grabbed the attacker's arm and threw him backwards into the street.

Trunks was already on the other guy, heaving him up over his head and tossing him on top of the first one into a pile.

As they turned to remove the third man from the sidewalk, they were astonished.

A young girl was fighting him.

Obviously well trained in martial arts, the girl was kicking and punching the man. She was small but had power. Gohan immediately picked up on her ki, which was outstanding compared to most humans. He watched as her long black hair whirled in the wind while she landed a final kick to the man's head, sending him to the ground.

As soon as the would be robber was subdued, the girl ran to the shopkeeper who was still on the ground.

"FATHER!" She yelled to him. Kneeling beside the man, she lifted his head up. "Can you hear me?"

Gohan walked over, hearing the concern in her voice. "Here, let's get him inside the tent." He told her.

The man was a good size, but nothing Gohan couldn't handle. He picked him up in his arms and followed the girl inside their modest home.

"Put him here." She said, motioning to the table.

Gohan did as he was asked. "It looks like his arm may be broken…I can reset it while he is unconscious."

The girl looked at him and nodded.

"I'll go get some sticks for a splint." Trunks told them and quickly hurried outside.

She stood there and watched as Gohan carefully set her father's bones back in place. "Where did you learn to do that?" She asked him.

Gohan smiled slightly. "There was a time when I wanted to become a doctor." He told her. "But, now, I just learn what I can through reading." The man was coming around. "Do you have anything for pain?"

"Yes." She smiled. "I make it from roots and herbs and sell in outside sometimes." She hurried to a bag and brought out a small vile filled with green liquid, hurrying over to her father. "Here….dad…drink this." Without opening his eyes, he drank the liquid. "That should ease his pain.

Trunks came back with several sticks. Gohan used them and some strong bandages and made a splint for the man's arm. "He should keep this on for at least a month. Maybe longer. I can come back and check it in a couple weeks if you'd like."

She nodded her head. "I would really appreciate it."

"I guess we had better be going." Gohan told her and smiled.

"Wait…I don't even know your name…" She looked up at Gohan.

"I am Gohan and this is Trunks." He introduced them.

"I am Vale." She said. "It is very nice to meet you…..and thanks…for helping us."

"Does this happen a lot? With the travelers?" Trunks asked her.

"Unfortunately, yes. But my father is usually able to handle it. He used to be a martial arts teacher." Vale explained.

"So, that is where you learned? You were very good out there. Very strong." Gohan added.

Vale blushed slightly. "My father has been teaching me since I was old enough to walk." She grabbed a blanket and covered his body. "But, dad is getting old. He can't fight like he used to. Arthritis I think. Anyway, he's stubborn. He won't listen to me about it and tries to fight like he's twenty again!"

"Once a fighter, always a fighter." Gohan said. "Death will come, but the fighter in you will live on forever."

Vale turned and looked at him in awe. "Dad says the same thing….that when death comes, he will fight it as well."

Gohan could tell the girl was fighting back tears. "Hey, anytime you need us, we live atop Himanshu Mountain." He smiled. "All you have to do is stand in the valley and yell and the echo will be heard for miles. Anything you need, we'll help."

"Thank you." She said. "You are very kind." She walked them back outside. "I know who you are…you are the ones that defeated the Androids, aren't you?"

Gohan nodded. "Yes."

"I knew it. I saw you both fighting the Androids once, about a year ago. It was amazing." Vale told him. "I wish I could fight like that!"

"Maybe Gohan could train you! He's a great teacher!" Trunks said.

Gohan gave the boy a look of death, but did not reprimand him in front of Vale "Anything you need, just let us know."

Vale waved goodbye and they walked on down the sidewalk.

"What did you do that for? Offer for me to train her?" Gohan said hatefully.

Trunks grinned. "She was cute!" He nudged Gohan. "I saw the way you looked at her! It would a great way to get to know her better!"

Gohan was surprised. "I didn't look at her any way! I just helped….that's all!" Gohan walked on ahead, as if angry. Trunks didn't see the sly grin that crossed his face.

The girl was beautiful….and she could fight….that was a wonderful combination. Gohan said to himself.

Author's Note: Little character development going on here…as well as setting up the story. Don't worry…the new threat will arrive in another chapter or two. Just letting them have a taste of peace.

If you have seen "History of Trunks", that is how I picture Gohan…tall, short hair…broad shoulders….a MAN!…And Trunks, well he's the way he looked at the beginning of the Android saga, hair parted in the middle, but longer. I like his hair long!…hehehehe…and Piccolo—is just the same sexy Namek he always was….thanks for reading and please review!