Trunks reached his house, already anticipating the words his mother would say to him. He had just gotten in trouble…again… But even so, his teacher was very "kind and generous" (or so he said) to offer Trunks the make-up assignment. He didn't, however, hand it so quickly. First, he called Trunks' house…
He had just gone through the sliding entrance door when Bulma came up to him. It was obvious that she had been waiting for him. Bulma was rarely seen in the foyer unless for some important occasion. She stood in front of him in a hovering manner, like someone ready dominate and rule, with her fists on her waist, and her feet shoulder-length apart. Although she gave off the vibe of a totalitarian, her voice was calm and under control, as if she had gone through this procedure plenty of times, which she has. "So, Trunks," she said. "I heard you disrespected your teacher--"
"I did not!" Trunks immediately interrupted, ready to defend himself. "It's not my fault my own opinions don't fit with his."
"Just…tell me what happened…" Bulma sighed as she led her son into a living room somewhere on the second floor. And on the way, Trunks told his story.
Mr. Fry studied the purple haired rebel across his desk. The student didn't seem to return the eye contact. He looked completely bored and uninterested.
"Trunks," Mr. Fry said, but the child didn't seem to listen. "Trunks!" he said louder, and finally yet passive aggressively, Trunks' lazy eyes met his. "I'm going to be kind. I rarely give such…chances, so you should be grateful."
Trunks shrugged and that only caused Mr. Fry to lose more of his control on his rage. He knew Trunks was doing this on purpose. He always did. Trunks was rebellious by nature.
"So, what's the assignment?" Trunks asked. Mr. Fry sighed. At least the boy had some interest in his grade.
"Ok, Trunks. It's easy. One page essay about you who you think is strongest person on Earth."
Immediately, that perked Trunks' interest as his eyes lighted with excitement. "My dad?" Trunks suggested. Mr. Fry blinked at first, and then smiled as if he was talking to a child that didn't know better.
"Sure, Trunks, but let's not jump too fast into one choice…there are, of course, others…"
You mean he wants you to write about Hercule?" Bulma said with shock humor on her face. She laughed a little, finding it all too ridiculous, and shook her head.
"That's what I'm saying!" Trunks said. "And then I said…
"I thought you wanted me to write an essay of the strongest person." With his elbows on the desk, Trunks lazily rested his chin on one hand, while the other hand tapped its fingers on the wooden surface impatiently. "Not about a fake."
"How dare you!" the teacher exclaimed as he stood up and slammed his hands on his desk, knocking the chair backwards. But no one noticed. "Hercule saved this planet from Cell! Do not insult the hero, you ungrateful little brat!"
Bulma ran her hand down her face with frustration as she looked upward, praying to Kami to control her nerves. She sighed. "Whoever you decide to write about--"
"I'm going to write about dad!" Trunks said, determined.
"Whatever. Just make sure the essay is good, ok?"
Trunks humphed. "I don't even know why I have to make up an assignment. It's not like I lied on the first one…"
Trunks pressed the pen between his upper lip and noise. And when he lost interest in that, he simply placed the pen behind his ear. His eyes darted to the door that led into the gravity room, wondering when his father would come out. Of course, usually he trained with him, but Bulma gave specific instructions to do his homework. Vegeta was reluctant of course.
Earlier, though, Trunks was starting on his paper when he realized…he didn't even know much about his own dad! When was he born? What was his favorite color?...How old is he?...The only thing he knew what to write about was that his father loved to fight, train, and eat, and that he had a lot of pride, and doesn't want pity. Oh, and he's Prince of all Saiy-jins.
He heard the door open, and out stepped a very sweaty tired man. "Dad!" Trunks called as he jumped up to stand. "I'm writing an essay about you! So you'll need to answ--"
Vegeta walked passed him without stopping or looking at him, leaving Trunks to trail after him. "Ok," he interrupted as both males walked towards the direction of the bathroom. "I am Vegeta, prince of all saiy-jins, one of the world's--no, universe's strongest fighters, and I'm not interested in this."
Trunks was hurriedly writing down the things his father said when that last part hit him. He looked up just in time to see the bathroom door slam shut in his face. Trunks sighed. His father can be so impossible sometimes. Maybe his friends knew more about Vegeta.
"Whoa there, Trunks." Krillin said as he held out his hands before him, his palm facing Trunks. "I don't know one thing about your father. And I wouldn't exzactly call us 'friends.'"
"But you've fought alongside with my dad once, right?" Trunks said. "How was he in battle? Did he give all he had?"
"Ok, ok, ok." Krillen said with a little laugh. "If there's one thing I know about your dad, it's that he has a whole lot of pride. He never lets anyone belittle him. He prides himself in being a saiy-jin prince, a strong warrior…and overall, just proud of being…himself."
"Ha, your dad?" Yamcha chuckled. "Well, I've fought with your dad plenty of times in the past, Trunks."
"Really?" Trunks asked, curiosity in his eyes as he stared up at the way taller fighter.
"Yeah, man. Your dad is something else. I mean, he's so arrogant, self-assured about himself, and just…just Vegeta…" Yamcha shook his head with a smile. "Your father came back from space after a while and threatened to beat me up, but your mother, man, she's something else, too. She's the only one I know who can boss Vegeta around. Your father usually listens to no one, and I mean no one. Oh, and he can be a jerk sometimes, too."
Trunks wrote these things down, even the part where Yamcha called Vegeta a jerk."Hmm, Vegeta…" Piccolo said in his gruff voice. "Shouldn't you be asking your own father these questions, instead of asking others?"
Trunks was quiet for a while. "He isn't interested."
Piccolo scoffed. "Your father may be one of the strongest people on Earth, Trunks, but sometimes he has no concern for anyone but himself." He paused. "I don't mean any offense to you, Trunks, but that's who he is. He does things almost for himself, it's almost as if he's…selfish. He wants all the action to himself, and he believes he can take it all. He believes himself to be so strong, that he doesn't need any help from others. But he can't take care of things on his own, you know."
"Piccolo," Dende cut in when he noticed Trunks begin to stiffen angrily. "Vegeta isn't all that bad. Cut him some slack."
"I'm just being honest, and if Trunks can't take it, then so be it." Piccolo said. He turned to Trunks, nodded, and then walked away, his cape flowing gracefully behind him. Suddenly, he stopped. "Slowly, though, I've noticed your father changing little by little. It's small and slow…but he is…changing…."
"Wow, your dad, huh?" Gohan said as he wrote his own essay for school.
"Yeah, I'm supposed to write about him."
"Well," Gohan started as he put his paper down, "Your father was…very hard to get along with. I mean, I hardly did when I was a child. Actually, no one got along with your dad. It's almost as if he was a loner in our little fighting group. He kept to himself most of the time, unless he wanted to boast about himself, which would be long, but rare."
Trunks sighed sadly and Gohan noticed. "I'm sorry, Trunks," the older man said immediately, "I meant no offense. I mean, your dad is very opinionated about some things, and he gets irritated easily. But even so, to be honest, I like your dad."
Trunks was surprised. "Really? I've asked everyone else about my dad, but they only have negative things to say."
Gohan chuckled. "Well, your dad is very hard to get along with, but I'm sure he has a heart. I mean, if he hadn't, he wouldn't have gotten with your mother, wouldn't he? Did he tell you the story about Cell?"
Trunks shook his head. "The only thing I know was that he, you, and a whole lot of fighters fought Cell very hard, and it was you that finally defeated him. But Mr. Satan got all the credit."
"Oh, well something happened during that time that showed me and everyone that your father indeed does have a heart."
Trunks sighed. "To be honest, I'm beginning to agree with others--"
"Hey, hey, hey." Gohan interrupted. "Don't doubt your father. He's a great guy, really. If you really want to know how great he is, you should ask your mother."
Trunks jumped. "Why didn't I think of that? Gee, thanks Gohan!"
"Anytime, Trunks. See you around!"