Ch 87

The early morning was peaceful. The sun had not made its' way up yet as Goten rolled over, so he was facing Trunks' sleeping face. Before he could let out a sigh of contentment, he sensed something familiar coming their way and then he heard the sound of something landing on the ground.

Getting out of bed as quietly as he could, he made his way outside to see a ship had landed on their lawn. He was joined by Vegeta, Bulma, Bulla, Uub, Dr. Briefs, and Bunny. It didn't take long for Trunks to rush out of the house as well, standing beside him.

"That ship," said Dr. Briefs.

"It's the time machine from the future. The Capsule Corporation logo is on the front," said Bulma.

"Yes, but the energy inside is not that of Trunks from the future," said Vegeta.

"Mom," Goten whispered, as a gray haired Chichi came out from the machine.

"Trunks sent me from the future," said Chichi. "He—he's dying and would like to say goodbye before he passes on."

"Oh my god," said Bulma as she felt the tears coming to her eyes. "Of course will come."

"You can't all come with me. I'm afraid I can only bring four with me," said Chichi.

"Don't worry mom," Bulla smiled. "Uub and I will stay."

"All right but stay safe," said Bulma as she hugged her daughter.

"We'll look after them sweetie," said Bunny. "Don't you worry."

"Thanks mom," said Bulma.

The couples went back to their homes to get dressed and ready to go. Goten couldn't stop looking at future Chichi. It had felt so long since he had seen his mom alive, and she brought up feelings he thought he had let go of. She looked and felt a bit different from his deceased mother. This Chichi had lost her husband and her son Gohan at the hands of the androids. She looked like she always carried it with her because of the sadness in her eyes.

"It has to be difficult to see her like that chibi, even though she's not really your mother."

"I've never seen my mom look that broken before, and she probably doesn't know who I am."

"Maybe you'll have your chance to talk to her, get to know her."

"I wonder if that's a good idea Trunks. Should she really know about what she could've had?" he asked as he looked to his mate. He knew Trunks would support him either way.

The Time Machine landed in the future at the Briefs home and everyone got out and followed Chichi inside the house. Seeing brief glimpses of the house, it seemed to be well taken care of and Bulma was happy about that but then something came to her mind that caused her to stop in her tracks.

"Chichi," said Bulma. "Why didn't my future self come back to the past to bring us here?"

Chichi turned to face Bulma. "I—I'm so sorry to say this, but she died of a heart attack a year ago. I came by one day to give my condolences to Trunks, and I've been here ever since. My father lives here as well. We've been taking care of Trunks ever since he got sick. It was ironically the day Bulma died that Trunks found out he had cancer. He doesn't have much time left, but he wanted to see you and Vegeta and whomever you decided to bring with you."

Chichi stopped at Trunks' bedroom door and knocked. "Trunks, I have some people who wish to see you."

"Come—come in," he said as the very first people he saw were his parents from the past.

Bulma was shocked to see her future son in such a fragile state. He was so frail, and he looked tired. His skin was pale, and his purple hair lacked shine. She came to his side nonetheless and sat on the bed, taking his hand in hers. She smiled sadly. "We're here Trunks. We came."

"I—I really appreciate it mother. I—I needed to see you and father before I passed on."

"We wouldn't be anywhere else," she said as she quickly dried the tears coming down her face.

Vegeta sat on the other end of the bed. When Trunks looked his way, he smiled. "I—I'm sure you had better things to do then come all the way here," Trunks smiled.

"No, can't think of a thing Trunks," he smiled as he held his other hand. When he felt Trunks' grip, it felt weak. He could tell Trunks was in some real pain. His blue eyes said don't tell Bulma.

Future Trunks looked from his past parents to Trunks and Goten. Seeing himself alive, well, and happy brought some peace to future Trunks. "It's nice to meet you as a man finally Trunks."

"I'm sorry about your circumstances," said Trunks. "I'm sorry about your mom. That couldn't have been easy."

"No," he said as he looked at Goten. "You look familiar," said Future Trunks.

"I'm Gohan's brother. I understand he was like a brother to you in this timeline."

"It's nice to meet you Goten," Future Trunks smiled as he noticed the similar rings on both Trunks' and Goten's fingers. "You—you're together."

"We're engaged to be married," said Trunks. "He's my best friend. We've known each other for a long time."

"I—I'm glad," breathed Future Trunks. "It would explain Goten's sadness about me dying."

"Sorry I didn't mean—

"I—it's all right Goten. A loved one's death is always sad."

"I know you've seen a lot of it, but I wonder if you had some happiness in your life," said Goten.

"Wou—would it give you some peace?" asked Future Trunks.

"I don't know to be honest."

"After I defeated the androids, my mother and I started to help restore this place to what it once was as well as other parts of the city that needed restoring. Capsule Corporation was successful again, and I was happy to get into the family business. I had a life again, a life of peace, but it didn't feel like enough."

"You never found someone to spend your time with?" asked Goten.

"It never lasted long and besides I always sensed this presence around me that made me feel at peace in some of my darkest moments," said Future Trunks.

"What do you mean by a presence?" asked Trunks.

"Well I'm not sure exactly. I would always see it in battle whether it was this timeline or yours. Sometimes it would say my name and I would feel recharged again, ready to face anything in my way. I never saw its face because it wore a black cloak with the hood covering its face."

"How long have you been seeing this presence?" asked Bulma.

"It was when Master Gohan started training me to fight the androids. I was a teenager then. Sometimes it feels like so long ago. It was hard when my mother passed, but I would see the presence from outside my window. I didn't feel so alone."

"When was the last time you saw this presence?" asked Vegeta.

"Yesterday," said Future Trunks as he felt his eyes becoming heavy.

"Well," said Chichi as she entered the room, "I think we should let him get some sleep."

"All right," smiled Bulma as she kissed his damp forehead. "Sweet dreams," she said as she followed Chichi out of the room.

"You don't have to worry about her you know," said Vegeta.

"I know you'll be there for her," Future Trunks smiled as Vegeta left the room.

Trunks and Goten walked up to Future Trunks. Trunks took his future counterpart's hand and squeezed it. "I'm glad you've had this presence to be there for you."

"Thank you Trunks and you take care of Goten. You hold on tight to him."

After dinner Chichi had shown them to their rooms. It was a rough night for both couples as they thought about Future Trunks lying in bed, waiting to die.

Bulma rolled over in bed, finding sleep was not coming easy to her. Opening her eyes, she lied awake looking at the ceiling. The whole situation with Future Trunks made her think of how unpredictable life could be. He was dying from cancer, not from battle. She thought of her own son and tears fell down her cheeks.

"Bulma, our son is still here."

Bulma looked over to her husband and started to cry as he brought her into his embrace. She felt him caress her back as she started to calm down. "I—I know Vegeta, but I worry about what will happen to our children when I'm gone. I know you'll all out live me."

"Your children will be fine," said Vegeta as he kissed her forehead. "They have their mates, and I will always be there if they need me Bulma."

"Wha—what about you?"

"What about me?" he asked as he looked into the eyes of his wife.

"What will you do when I'm gone?"

"I'll do what I must, but it's something we don't have to think about right now. You need to concentrate on everything you have."

Bulma smiled. "I know you're right."

"Get some sleep woman," he smiled as she snuggled into his embrace.

"Goodnight Vegeta, I love you."

"I love you to."

A few doors down Trunks and Goten were experiencing similar turmoil. Their hands had stayed intertwined ever since they lied down for bed.

"It just breaks my heart to see him like that," said Goten, "and I don't know him, not really. I mean he looks similar to you, but he's not you. Does seeing him lie there make you think of your own mortality?"

"On some level he is me chibi and that's why your heart goes out to him. Seeing him like that makes me realize that a world without you would be really awful. I can't imagine what it's like for him, but I hope he can find some peace when he passes on. Maybe this presence can help him."

Future Trunks woke up from a dream in the middle of the night. He smiled, seeing the presence beside him, holding his hand. "This is the closest you've ever come to me. Th—thank you for being here for me all these years," Future Trunks said as he managed to squeeze its' hand.