Author's Note: It has been a very long time since I updated, and I apologize. There wasn't much interest in the story, so I let it slip. To my new readers, hope this chapter is what you were hoping for and expect another update VERY soon. Thanks for your interest…. I pay attention to my reviews, and I appreciate them.
"What's wrong?" Gohan asked suddenly, lifting his gaze from his plate and focusing his gaze on the lost blue eyes locked on his face.
A dark blush spread across M. Trunks' cheeks as he guiltily jerked his gaze away. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stare." M. Trunks shook his head and stared down at his barely touched food, a frown creasing his forehead.
"Something's bothering you. You might as well tell me what it is because I don't know how to take no for an answer. Do you really want me to nag you? Trust me, I learned well from my mother."
M. Trunks chuckled and glanced up. "It just surprises me how much you remind me of the Gohan of my time. There are differences, of course, but there's also so many similarities. I guess being with you just brings back memories."
"We never had much time to talk when you first came. I didn't realize that you were so close to…me in the future. I know you said that I trained you before the androids killed me."
"You were more than my teacher, Gohan. You.. uh… he was my friend and the closest person I had to a father. He was very wise and honorable."
Gohan sipped his drink and asked, "It must be difficult to face a ghost."
"No, no… It's not like that. It just feels…"
"Strange? I understand."
"Thank you for listening to me babble," M. Trunks murmured, glancing down again.
"Hey, I'm the one that hasn't shut up since we got here. Don't thank me. Did you get a chance to visit Vegeta and Bulma today?"
"No, that's still kind of weird, too. I wasn't expecting to find Vegeta…so changed."
Gohan laughed. "I bet that was a surprise. It was a shock to everyone when he became…nice."
M. Trunks sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't fit in here, in this time. They are not my parents and you are not my teacher. I don't have a place here."
"Don't say that, M. Trunks," Gohan murmured, reaching across to clasp M. Trunks' shoulder. "Things may be strange right now, but you'll be okay. You'll find your place here. Even if we are not the future versions of ourselves, we are still the same. Your parents are Vegeta and Bulma. Remember when Cell struck you and to everyone you were dead? Vegeta went insane. You were not from this time, but you were still his son. Do you understand? Even then he cared for you."
M. Trunks bowed his head, eyes closing. "Thank you."
"I already told you not to thank me. Come on. You don't seem to have much of an appetite so let's continue the tour," Gohan said, standing.
M. Trunks pushed back his chair and stood. "If you don't mind, Gohan, I would like to go to Capsule Corp."
A warm grin flashed across Gohan's face. "I expected you to ask, so, no, I don't mind. I'm sure your parents will be happy to see you."
M. Trunks returned the smile. "I'll be glad to see them."
"Hmmm….another miserable planet," Keshney said, stepping out of the ship and surveying the land around him with disgust.
"Commander, what are your orders?"
Keshney glanced back at the soldier. "We must bring our prey out of hiding. Assemble a group of fighters and bring destruction to this planet. Our prey will have no choice but to expose himself."
"Yes, sir."
Keshney's gaze returned to the land before him, taking in the buildings in the distance. "Destroy everything in your path. Everything."
"M. Trunks! I was so worried about you," Bulma exclaimed, throwing her arms around M. Trunks.
"I'm sorry for worrying you. I wasn't sure if I should come," M. Trunks confessed as she stepped back to look him over.
Her eyes widened slightly. "Not come? This is your family. You belong here. Vegeta, tell him that this is his home," Bulma said, glancing to her husband.
Vegeta stepped forward and dropped his hand onto M. Trunk's shoulder. "For once, the woman has a point. You are home. You should come whenever you want. Now if she's through mauling you, I would like to speak with you."
M. Trunks nodded and followed Vegeta into the training room. Vegeta faced M. Trunks, crossing his arms over his chest. "I understand that you have been through a very difficult time, but I do not intend to watch my son shrink into himself. You will train with me daily."
"Yes, sir."
Vegeta raised an eyebrow in question. "No complaints. Trunks despises training daily."
"Training and fighting were all I ever had in my time."
"Tell me everything you can about the Labaligans. You said their powers were impressive."
"Yes. They are so much stronger than the androids, and their numbers are great. Their leader was called Keshney, and he is far stronger than Cell ever became. I fought him, and it was like I was nothing. None of my attacks harmed him. Their bodies seem almost shell like."
"How many were there?" Vegeta asked.
M. Trunks's eyes closed as he thought back to the ship. "Between one to two hundred soldiers on each ship."
"My father conquered many planets, but I do not recall ever meeting warriors such as the ones you describe. Beings that powerful should have been known all over the galaxy, no matter how distant their planet."
"I don't understand. What are you saying?"
Vegeta shook his head. "You should go to Bulma before the woman thinks I've killed you."
"Okay," M. Trunks said, turning reluctantly to leave. What was Vegeta thinking?
"That movie was stupid. Figures you would pick it to see, Goten."
"Shut up, Trunks. It wasn't that bad."
Trunks laughed and turned to face Goten. "Oh no? Then why did you suggest leaving after the first half of it?"
Before Goten could respond, an explosion ripped through the buildings to their right, rocking the ground violently and throwing them off their feet. "What the Hell was that?" Trunks demanded, glancing at Goten as they stood. "I don't know."
Trunks turned to the flames reaching skyward, hearing the screams. "Then let's find out."
