Bulma considered her son for a moment. A familiar stubborn determination was carved in to every line upon his face; unmistakably similar to the one his father had often worn. Once his mind was set he would do what he wanted to do, with or without Bulma's blessing. While she didn't approve of everything Vejita had passed on to their child, she didn't necessarily see stubborn determination as the worse human quality. Taking this in to account she conceded to herself that her decision in this matter was pretty much made.
'It's possible to follow them,' announced Bulma airily.
'Bulma…' began Gohan shocked by the lack of resistance to the matter. However he trailed off as he saw the deep seriousness within the elder ladies face.
'I can track their movement through the time warps. They've left a mark on our time so all we need to do is follow that signal. It shouldn't be too difficult.' She smiled and made the V sign with her hand.
'But how will we get there?' pressed Gohan. Bulma peered at Gohan from the corner of her eyes, with that 'are you dense' look.
'So the pair of you just happened to appear in the past when you gave Goku those heart pills then?' answered Bulma sarcastically.
'Oh yeah!' replied Gohan scratching the back of his head now blushing and chuckling nervously. He's just like Goku at times thought Bulma to herself causing an inward smile. With all that said she got up out of her seat and headed towards the door leading in to the main Capsule Corp building. As she was about to reach for the door, Trunks finally spoke up.
'You're really going to help us mum?' asked the young saiyan in vague disbelief. Bulma stared at the door a few seconds before responding.
'As much as I'd like to stop you, opposing you would cause more harm than helping you. I'm your mother after all. I know when to admit defeat. I can tell you're serious about what you've said so I don't want you running in to this blindly. Finally she turned her eyes upon her sons and peered in to them. They were bloodshot red but at least the tears had ceased to flow. She was worried, very worried but still she felt this was the best course of action. Somewhere deep inside she too wanted revenge on the evil beings which had so ruthlessly destroyed people's heart and joy. Children, why children? She pondered momentarily.
'Get some rest,' she advised to the brotherly pair. 'You're going to need it.'
The day was quickly coming to an end in Tokyo, as the sun began to dip its head under the horizon. The last rays of light filtered in to the Hiwaka temple which currently accommodated the presence of seven. They were split up in to groups at the minute, one group containing Ami, Luna and Artemis. The other group contained the remaining senshi. This one was discussing the up coming dance and was giggling amongst themselves as to who they wished to take them.
'Wow good choice Mina!' praised Usagi emphasising with an added double thumbs up.
'He's really sweet…' trailed off Minako blushing as she did.
'There's a new guy in class I want to go with. He really reminds me of my ex-boyfriend,' proposed Makoto forming foggy star struck eyes. (There's a surprise)
'I want to go with Tuxedo Kamen!' announced Usagi. (They don't know its Mamoru yet)
'A brave hero like Tuxedo Kamen probably has more intellectual tastes,' interrupted Rei grinning cheekily. 'Like myself…'
'A brave hero like Tuxedo Kamen needs at least 29 days free of PMS,' spat back Usagi.
'Are you trying to say I have constant PMS!' stammered the fire priestess whose eyes corresponded accurately with her name now.
'Well…' Usagi casually replied turning her head to the side. Makoto spotting danger suddenly pounced on Rei holding her back like a referee in a heavy weight boxing match.
'Let's change the subject,' she advised before the temple turned in to world war 3.
Meanwhile across the room a heated discussion between a young genius and two knowledgeable cats was taking place. The subject was far more serious than about PMS. Ami had just finished relaying the event from earlier that afternoon concerning her unusually sight in the sky.
'Are you certain it wasn't just a trick of the light?' quizzed Artemis. 'After all it was a really hot day maybe you were just tired and you thought you saw something you didn't.' The same response the girls had given her thought Ami hopelessly. She had hoped the two cats would take a more open view on what she had to say to them.
'Come now Artemis, this is Ami were talking about her not Usagi,' clarified Luna matter of a factually. 'I for one shall be looking in to it at the very least.' This warmed Ami's inside's at least Luna had offered her some support. Artemis considered for a minute. Luna did have a very good point; Ami wasn't the type to start throwing around groundless accusations. Unlike the rest of the senshi who often had their separate air headed moments. Artemis laughed out loud at this last thought causing both Ami and Luna to raise an eyebrow. Quickly noticing their expressions he gathered himself.
'Ahem… Ok,' he conceded. 'It can't hurt to investigate but for now keep this between the three of us Ami,' to which she nodded in acknowledgement and thanked the feline pairing. Both cats issued their goodbyes and turned tail on the water senshi leaving her to join the other girls. As she got up to join them she noticed Rei and Usagi rolling together on the floor. Minako was stood above milking them on and Makoto was constantly throwing cushions in to the heart of the fracas.
'Then again maybe I'll stay over here. Where it's safe,' Ami said aloud as a sweat dropped trailed down the back of her head.
It was 7am and Bulma suddenly woke up. Her neck felt as though had been spun around like a fairground ride. And she let out a shiver as she realised she wasn't waking in her bed. Her knees stung a little as they were planted on the bare warehouse flooring. She raised her head from the control panel of the time machine. She must have fallen asleep while preparing the time machine she assumed. Just at that moment Trunk's entered wearing the ever famous Capsule Corp jacket and matching pants. Seeing his mother lying awkwardly on the floor set off alarm bells in his head and he started to run over to her.
'Hey mum are you alright!' he gasped with concern.
'I'm fine hun,' she sleepily responded. 'Just fell asleep from exhaustion getting this ready last night.' Trunks now relieved offered a hand to his mother which she gratefully accepted and sheepishly got to her feet. She stretched her arms up in to the air in a morning wake up call leaving her chest area widely exposed. This just so happened to be the time Gohan walked in catching an eyeful.
'Morning…' he muttered quickly looking to the floor as he felt heat spread across his face. He was wearing his full Piccolo attire as he always did during important moments in his life. He felt it was a way of communicating to Piccolo to help him from the heavens and see him through the tough situations. Having finally stretched and adapted to her surroundings Bulma decided to get down to business.
'I've been tracking their ship for the majority of the night and they've already attached to a new time code. The good news is we know where they are. The bad news is getting the pair of you there. I can't send you in, in a controlled way because they are blocking the front door. So there's no way I'll be able to calculate where you'll arrive. Things SHOULD workout,' she reassured the boys who seemed taken aback somewhat by what Bulma had just revealed.
'From what I can tell this reality's civilisation is similar to ours. It has a corresponding world and definitely contains human life form. However I didn't see any sign of incredibly strong inhabitants. This brings me on to the next concern. The pair of you will have to stay low key while waiting for the enemies' movement. We have some idea what to expect, so be prepared for the warning signs. Also I don't think you should take part in the early attacks. For one it would expose you to the enemy and secondly everywhere has a contingency plan for emergencies, I think we need to know what theirs is before we move.'
'With that said I've loaded the ship with every useful capsule I could think of. I've filled it up with the yen in your banks,' at this both boys faces dropped somewhat.
'What? Did you expect to get my money? You should learn to work rather than playing soldiers all day,' said Bulma with a hint of 'serves you right' in her voice. 'If you run out you'll have to fend for yourself, which will also serve as a convenient cover up.' Both boys grimaced at this working wasn't their area of expertise.
'I've also loaded a cross-dimension communicator, which will enable you to contact me at anytime. And I mean anytime, I will always be here to support you if you need help. I doubt I'll sleep from worry anyway…' she trailed off stopping herself before making it worse.
'Finally and most importantly…' she wrapped an arm each round each boy. 'Take care of each other.' She pulled them tight as she let a tear fall to the ground.
'We'll be fine mum I promise,' insisted Trunks.
'Don't worry about a thing Bulma I'll take care of Trunks,' added Gohan.
'I can take care of myself,' replied Trunks with a wide grin. This gave a grateful relief to the astronomical tension as they all laughed between themselves. Finally they both took their seats in the time machine and began to close the door. Bulma waved frantically at the young Saiyan pairing. The tears she had welled up started to pour freely.
'Be careful, contact me anytime!' she bellowed to the rapidly vanishing ship. Then suddenly the warehouse was silent and only the dropping of tears could be heard. Trunks and Gohan once again witnessed the giant multicolour intestine like tunnels pulling them towards their alternate destination.
Sorry lack of action again I know but I have to set the story up I hope you don't mind. I promise there's action in the next chapter it's all in my head already anyway just needs writing down. The next chapter will introduce the enemy and their motives behind the killing, their not just attacking for fun --;. Chapter 4 will give a little insight in to Gohan's mind and his thoughts on this journey; he didn't just go for the heck of the story. I only realised I'd missed that after I finished writing this chapter. And the girls will be in action in chapter 4 also with a bigger slice of 'airtime.' Hope you enjoyed see you next time.