Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ/GT

Chapter 8

Trunks wasn't very tired after Bra left his room, but he knew he had a big day of preparations ahead of him, so he closed his eyes and let sleep overtake him.

"Hey!"

Trunks' eyes flew open, and he turned toward his open window.

It was Goku. The little Saiyan was sitting on his windowsill in his favorite blue fighting outfit, his tail twitching occasionally.

"Wha...?" Trunks stuttered, completely off balance.

Goku grinned at him with that angelic innocence he was known for. "Come on, Trunks! You can't have forgotten my name after this short a time."

Trunks chuckled. "Of course I know your name, Goku. I was just surprised to see you here."

Goku laughed like the child he was. "You don't think I'd go away and not watch over you guys, did you?" He made a face at Trunks. "No faith! No faith!"

"Why are you back?"

Goku's expression turned serious. "You caught my attention today by reaching Super Saiyan 3. I watched what happened after that. You were pretty slick with Pan!" He winked at Trunks.

Trunks turned bright red. "Tell me you weren't watching!"

"Yep. I saw it all!" Goku said with a grin. He stared out the window at the brilliant stars and the almost full moon. "I knew about it already. Just because I act dumb doesn't mean that I am. Besides, I would've had to have been blind on our trip for the Dragonballs not to see it."

Trunks gave up with a sigh. Goku may be smarter than he let on, but he was clueless about dealing with people's feelings. Chi-Chi could attest to that.

Goku turned back to him. "That's mean, Trunks, but I guess it's the truth."

Trunks stared. He'd forgotten that one of Goku's talents was reading minds. "I just don't understand, Goku. Goten, Chi-Chi and Pan miss you so much. Why are you always gone?"

Goku's expression darkened. "I guess that's fair, too." His gaze was unfocused, seeing faraway places.

"Trunks, I died two years ago."

Trunks looked at him uncomprehendingly. "You were alive when Shenron talked to you."

Goku shook his head. "Li Shenron killed me. I was lucky enough to destroy him, too. It was worth giving my life so that all of you could live." His gaze was pensive. "I wanted so much to return home...but my mistakes almost cost us the entire universe. Shenron made me pay for my failure to watch over the Dragonballs, and now I am Shenron's eternal guardian. I can't come back, Trunks."

Trunks shook his head. "No Goku! You shouldn't have to give your life away because of who you are!"

Goku cocked his head at Trunks. "You know something about this, don't you?" Goku paled "No WAY! That CAN'T be the answer! You and the others are wrong!"

Trunks sighed. "Marron and I visited Master Roshi. We asked him about his understanding of universal balance. We had to know why the Dragonablls failed."

"The Eldar Kai was lying to us. It wasn't our fault that the Dragonballs cracked. Kami gave us the wrong idea about how they work. We almost have to assume that he didn't know, since he had to flee Namek at such a young age." Goku had his hands on his ears, trying to block Trunks out. There was no refuge from the truth, however. "Goku, my Mom told me that Kami selected you as the guardian of the Dragonballs, and that he told you never to abuse them. From your point of view, you didn't."

"Master Roshi told us that you were the purest person he'd ever known, and because of that, you couldn't see why things couldn't always have a happy ending." Trunks sighed. "Oceanus Shenron almost killed you didn't he?"

"Yeah, he almost did..." Goku answered, despite his attempts to block Trunks out. He scratched his head, his eyes growing harder and sharper. "Why was he so powerful, Trunks? A wish for underwear shouldn't have caused that much trouble..."

Trunks sighed. "Mom told me that you wouldn't remember. It was a night of the full moon. You transformed into your ape form." He paused, making sure that Goku was paying attention. Comprehension gleamed in the little Saiyan's eyes. "Emperor Pilaf stole your Dragonballs. His wish was supposed to be to rule the world. Oolong interrupted his wish, and ended up with a pair of panties."

"It wasn't the wish that caused the problem, Goku. It was the suffering that had been averted by messing up Emperor Pilaf's wish. That was the first imbalance."

Goku's eyes were wide. "The Supreme Kai never explained it. You mean, every time we erased an evil action, the negative energy was absorbed the balls?"

"Yeah. Where else could it go? It wasn't in the physical world anymore." Trunks paused for a moment. "The proof was Nova Shenron. A completely selfish and evil wish gave birth to an honorable dragon that wound up being our ally. The Dragonballs Kami forged were flawed...just as he was, from what I understand."

"Porunga and the Namekian Dragonballs are the first copy, and this weakness was taken into account when they were crafted. Not only that, but each of the Namekian Elders that guarded the balls added their strength and abilities to Porunga. Wishes granted by Porunga are immediately balanced, either because they were designed that way, or because one of the Elders had the ability to cleanse negative forces."

Goku looked like his world was collapsing around him. Trunks had never seen him so unsettled, even when fighting Li Shenron. "Trunks, I had doubts about this ever since I was chosen by Kami, but to see them like this..."

Trunks sighed. "I know I'm making this out to be Piccolo's fault, but how was he supposed to know? He didn't even know he was a Namek until my Dad showed up on Earth." Trunks looked at the little boy seriously. "It's easy to point fingers after the fact, and I'm not happy with Piccolo for a number of reasons, but that's not the point. We can only work from today. You should come back to us. There's no reason you should be condemned to guard Shenron for all eternity."

Goku had tears in his eyes. "I heard what you were thinking, earlier. I was going to teach you a technique to give you an edge, but you've proven to be a better person than I ever gave you credit for. Please gather the Dragonballs of Namek, and wish me back to life. I've given away time that belonged to my wife and children. It's time I gave that back to them."

Trunks smiled through his own tears. "It will have to be in three years. You know we can't make the side trip right now. I promise that if I make it back, I'll wish you back to life."

Goku wiped the tears from his eyes, and the old spark was back. "You'll have the time to do it. I'm going to teach you the instant transmission technique, if you promise that my feet will be touching the earth tomorrow!"

Trunks laughed. "Promise!"

Goku hopped off the windowsill. "C'mon! You're going to love this!"

Goku and Trunks practiced all night. Trunks couldn't figure out why they didn't wake anyone up. As the dawn's light was coming, Trunks was getting used to changing his physical form into light and back again. Each time, they jumped farther and farther. They even ended up on Master Roshi's island, once.

Goku halted them. "It's time to go back, Trunks. You're a quick study. Let's see if you can bring both of us back to your house."

Trunks touched his two fingers to his forehead, and took Goku's hand. He focused on the energy of Bra, and made the jump.

They ended up outside of Bra's room. Goku put a sly finger to his lips to indicate silence. They drifted down the corridor to his room, hovering so that they wouldn't make a sound.

When they entered Trunks' room, Goku jumped onto his bed. "I'm proud of you, Trunks. I know you can do this! After you wish me back, I'll teach you the other technique."

Trunks smiled in amusement. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow!"

Goku smiled in pure joy. "I sure hope so. I've got to go."

Trunks woke up.

What!

He looked around his room. The clock read 6:36. Pan's Gi and the borrowed shirt were still on the floor. Bra's hairband was where she'd left it during their argument last night.

The window was closed.

Was it all a dream?

As Trunks shook off the grogginess, he realized that there was only one way to be sure. He forced his power level down, and mentally felt for Dende's energy. There.

He touched the index and middle fingers of his right hand to his forehead, and concentrated the way Goku had shown him.

With a whisper of sound, Trunks was at the Guardian's Lookout.

Trunks heard rapid footsteps, and Mr. Popo and Dende appeared from the main building of the lookout.

"Trunks! What brings you here?" Dende asked in bewilderment. Mr. Popo seemed surprised as well, but seemed content to let the young Guardian of the Earth ask the questions.

Trunks felt a little bemused by his success. It actually worked! What's going on here? "Hi Dende. I wasn't really expecting that to work." Trunks' mind was already formulating a plan, however. Alright, Goku. Your feet will touch the Earth today. "Hey Dende, can you help me with something later today?"

Dende looked uncertain, but nodded anyway. "Sure, how can I help?"

Trunks smiled at the young Guardian. "We're going to Namek."

Dende's eyes widened. "You're kidding!"

"Nope. We have something to take care of. I'd like your help with summoning Porunga."

Dende frowned. "What are you going to wish for?"

Trunks smirked. "What kind of surprise would it be if I told you?"

Dende crossed his arms. "No."

"I promise, you'll like it."

"Tell me what it is, then."

"No way. I'm sitting on the best news possible. I won't spoil this for you."

Dende gave him a suspicious look. "How am I supposed to trust you with Porunga?"

Trunks laughed. "Don't you have to be the one to speak the wish? If you don't like it, don't make it."

Dende's face smoothed. "Sorry for being suspicious, Trunks. The failure of the Dragonballs I was entrusted with makes me jumpy about all of them."

"I can understand that. Noon?"

"I'll be ready by then. It'll be nice to see home, again."

Trunks smiled. "I knew I could count on you, Dende. I'll be back later."

Trunks used the instant transmission technique to return home. Most of the people in the house were sleeping, but Trunks could feel massive energy pulses from the gravity room down the hall. I wonder what's got him training at that level? His dad was giving off energy levels higher than Super Saiyan 2. Trunks shrugged it off and got in the shower, idly wondering how he felt so rested after the dream training he did with Goku last night.

After he was clean, he sorted through his closet looking for a suitable set of clothing. A black fighting uniform that he'd never worn caught his eye. Don't know why, but I feel like wearing that today... He smiled slightly. Why not?

After he was dressed, he went down to the kitchen. A fabulous breakfast was laid out by the caterers from the previous night, and they were just cleaning up and preparing to leave. A cute young girl was cleaning up, and Trunks nodded to her. She blushed and ran off.

As Trunks sat down to eat, his mom came down the stairs, yawning. "Hi Trunks! You're up early."

"Good morning, Mother." Trunks said politely, smiling at the volatile, lavender-haired woman. "You're up early, too."

She sat down and poured some tea for herself. "I have to outfit the time machine today. Can you go get the prototype for me?"

Trunks shook his head. "I have something important to do today. I'll see if Marron will get it for you. It's her baby."

Bulma looked at him strangely. "Why are you taking her with you?"

Trunks made a face. "It'll be easier for me to keep an eye on her if I tell her she can go. She already made an unauthorized trip there."

Bulma dropped her teacup. "She did what...?" She asked in a breathless whisper.

Trunks sat back in his chair. "Yeah, I'm not too happy about it either. I probably shouldn't have told you, but now you know why she absolutely has to come. I think this should stay between you, me and Branford."

Bulma gnawed on a fingernail. "Yeah..." She frowned as she wiped up her spilled tea. "What kind of errand do you have to run?"

Trunks smirked. "It's a secret."

"Trunks, you know I hate when you do that!"

"I know, but I never do it for something small."

"Fine. Just be rude to your mother and keep her in the dark about things..."

Trunks laughed. "Trust me, you'll like this."

Bulma pushed back her shoulder-length hair. "It'd better be good."

"I agree." Answered a dark voice.

Trunks and his mom turned to see the Prince of the Saiyans. He was wearing a dark blue muscle shirt and matching pants. Trunks was more unnerved to see that he was wearing his fighting gloves. He doesn't wear those during training...

"Trunks. I will not allow you to leave this place." Vegeta's soft voice carried both a tone of command, and an infinite menace.

Trunks should have been surprised, but he'd anticipated something like this. "Care to tell me why?"

Vegeta favored him with a contemptuous look. "You know the answer to that. If you don't, then you really have no business going on this fool's errand."

Trunks smiled dangerously. "I was going to ask you to spar with me yesterday, but something came up. Care to prove me the weakling that you think I am?"

Vegeta looked a bit uncertain at his son's uncharacteristic bloodlust. "Fine. I'm still not letting you go."

Trunks waved a finger at him. "Where would be my incentive, then? If I beat you, then you have to let me go. If you beat me, I'll call this whole thing off. Deal?"

"Ha ha ha!" Vegeta laughed coldly. "You're going to defeat a Super Saiyan 4!"

"No, I'm going to force you to use that transformation." Trunks said, smiling thinly. "Since I can't do that, if you use that it'll be a foul, and you'll concede that I'm the better warrior."

Vegeta scowled at his son. "Your enemies won't hold back to your level."

"Maybe not, but I haven't seen anyone other than Super 17 or Li Shenron who was stronger than a Super Saiyan 3 without stealing the body of a Saiyan."

Vegeta stroked his chin. "You have a point. So be it. If you defeat me, I will not stand in your way."

"Good." Trunks sighed inwardly. He took the bait. Now lets see if I can really win this. "Shall we use the gravity platform?"

Vegeta smiled thinly. "That sounds interesting."

Bulma chose that moment to cut in. "What's with you two? You are NOT using my new gravity platform! And why wont you let Trunks go, Vegeta?"

Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "You didn't tell her, Trunks?"

Trunks sighed. "I didn't want to burst her bubble." Well, I guess it would be better if she heard it from me… "Mom, the reason Marron is so frantic about this is that she thinks Babidi is going to arrive in that alternate world any time now. Buu may be hatched and on a rampage the moment I get there."

Bulma turned as white as a sheet. "You can't…you wouldn't…You're no match for Majin Buu!"

Trunks sighed again. "Neither of you think I have a chance. I can and I AM going. I can do this, and I'm going to prove it to both of you. Let's go, Dad."