Forgiveness
Mai bundled herself up in an extra layer of sweaters ready to start her day, during the trip to the past, they wished for the people that were killed by Black to be resurrected. Returning to the future, Trunks offered them to the choice for the cities to be rebuilt, but everyone wanted to build the city back by themselves.
It was a way of coming together, it reminded them again of what it meant to not take the little things for granted. Walking along the road, it was an endless site of reconstruction over West City, the small businesses were all set, but those buildings were a symbol and it was voted for them to be rebuilt.
Hope surged through Mai as she saw a brother and sister out playing in the road. The little girl wore a military green beanie and a pink coat. She spotted Mai and ran over to her with a smile. She hadn't seen her since everyone came back to life.
"Mai!" She squealed, her older brother followed. "Mai, you should come play with us!"
"I'm sorry, I've got to go to work now, but maybe later." She responded.
"My Mommy said that you are going to be one too, is that true?" The little boy asked.
"That's right," My put a hand on her stomach. "In about two months the baby will come." Mai tried to kneel down to their height, but decided bending down was a little easier.
"Do you think the baby will play with us?" The little girl asked, only with a little more excitement.
"When he or she is old enough, yes, but not any time soon. I'm sorry, I've got to go." Mai patted their heads and headed down to the city market.
She still couldn't believe it, the young couple had returned from the past about five months ago with supplies. The people had just been brought back, they were being reunited with loved ones and making peace with enemies. It was no time for being mad at anyone, just gratitude for being alive.
Luckily Bulma had packed them something for that specific occasion. A single capsule full of fresh cooked food for everyone to enjoy. That night, everyone came together in what used to be the park of the city to just sit down and enjoy the peace. It was over, it was finally over. Mai chuckled when the crowd of West City was pushing for Trunks to make a speech.
She hadn't seen his face that red since they had found out she was pregnant.
Like his father, he wasn't good with his words, but it was a decent speech, one that gave people hope and drive to rebuild the city to a new future. "We fight for a new day, we fight for tomorrow." She whispered to herself as she finally arrived at the market.
People were bustling about their business, running errands, selling fresh goods, etc. If someone were to walk in right now without any history at all, they wouldn't know that these people saw unimaginable horrors almost half a year ago. But it wasn't perfect, some people still argued over the price of meat, fruit, and special crops. Some were still petty thieves stealing a loaf here, an apple there, and others still yelled that the end of the world was coming near.
Their society was coming back to a normal one and she wouldn't have it any other way.
Approaching a small tailor shop near the end of the row, an elderly woman came out with a red shawl on her shoulders. "Mai, I've been expecting you."
"Sorry Gran, got a little caught up." Mai tried to excuse herself.
"No need to apologize, sometimes the little one can cause delay. Come in, it's chilly out here." Gran let her in and motioned to the fresh baked goods on the table. "Would you like a scone? Fresh from the oven."
"No, thank you, the baby gets extra jumpy at night whenever I have sweets this late."
"Oh dear, I remember those days when I was young, I resisted some of the bests sweets to get a little bit more sleep." Gran chuckled while reminiscing the days of her youth. "How is Trunks doing? I've been seeing him fly around more lately."
"He's been doing everything in his power to help rebuild the city anyway he can. From putting up fences for cattle to helping construct the skyscrapers. He also makes it home every night to wash dishes and give my feet a good rub." Mai smiled before it turned into a frown. "But at times it feels like he's not even home."
"Like he's carrying the responsibility of the whole world on his shoulders? It's normal for a hero to feel like that." Gran explained to Mai. "Believe it or not Mai, Trunks, his father and his friends were not the first heroes in this city."
Mai perked up listening to Gran explain that West city had vigilantes in the past, but unlike the ones that had passed during the Androids, these heroes wore masks, worked in the dark and had a life in the light. Before Capsule Corp came about the mafia and criminals were working on plans to conquer the city, but each step was foiled by these masked heroes.
"And believe it or not one of those men became my husband. He too would carry the world on his shoulders and do everything he could. He felt guilt every time he chose to be human and spend time with me. That's probably what Trunks is feeling…guilt for the destruction…guilt that everyone has to rebuild their lives."
"How do I help him?" Mai didn't like feeling helpless when it came to the man she loves. She didn't know what to do when Trunks would be out at night in the city. "He sometimes distance and sometimes he acts like nothing is wrong."
"Trunks needs to forgive himself." Gran took both of Mai's hands. "It doesn't matter how much gratitude someone can show him, or if the city is reconstructed overnight. It won't matter unless he can let go of this guilt and forgive himself. And sometimes they need a good kick in the ass to do it." Gran winked on the last sentence. "Now, let us return to the originally reason why you are here."
A flush of pink appeared on her cheeks from deviating so far from the original purpose of her trip to the market. Gran went into a closet and came with a brown picnic basket that she put in Mai's lap. "I've finished your order along a few extras."
"Thank you, how much do I owe you?" Mai began to reach into her pocket.
"For you, just some visits and you can bring the little youngster too when he or she comes." Gran said as a couple tears welled up in her eyes. "I never thought I would be able to do this again."
Mai set the basket down and wrapped Gran in her arms. She let her cry for as long as she wanted. Five months have passed and some of the citizens were still in a state of disbelief. When Gran had finished crying she apologized and let Mai go on her way.
One more stop before going back to the house. It was a little bit more of a walk, but it was one she could endure.
After about fifteen minutes on her feet, she made it to a hill top where a lone grave marker sat underneath a tree. Coming further up on a hill, she saw a patch of lavender hair and a blue jacket with a Capsule Corp. logo on the arm. Her gut instinct was right.
Trunks was here after all.
"Mai!" Trunks came down half way down the hill. "Are you okay? What are you doing out here, you should be resting."
Catching her breath to get on top of the fucking hill, she let him have it. "I need to talk to you."
"This couldn't have waited until I got home?" He retorted.
"No, Trunks it doesn't feel like you're here sometimes, you're always out fixing something at night and you act like everything is your fault." Okay, now was a time to sit down, she leaned her back against the tree and took a seat on the cold ground.
Trunks was speechless, he could feel for weeks that his conversation was coming up, but after all he could to avoid it, she was going to come out with it sooner or later. He sat down next to the mother of his child, finally, with an open ear.
"I know what Black said to you and no one could have predicted what would have happen. Trunks, you didn't set out to the past to hurt anyone, you did it so you could help people. If it wasn't for you than none of this," she placed one of his hands on her stomach. "wouldn't have happened."
"But it still happened, this planet, all of humanity was nearly destroyed because of my mother and I! I caused all this!" Trunks grit his teeth together.
"No, it was Zamasu and Black that almost destroyed us with their twisted sense of justice, you not only saved our time, but the future too. Everyone is still alive there all because of you. Goku is alive, your mentor fulfilled his dream and started a family, Trunks we're starting a family too and we need you!" Tears began to well in her eyes. "You may be a Saiyan, but you're also human."
"Mai…" He wrapped his arms around her, attempting to comfort his girlfriend. "What's in the basket?"
"Something for the baby, I was hoping to open it with you at home, but I don't mind if it's here." She brought the basket in between them.
The first thing to appear on the first layer inside the basket was a blanket with a four star Dragonball on it.
Trunks grabbed hold of the baby blanket and slowly broke down. He remembers hearing stories that the four star ball was passed down from generation to generation. Looking up at the grave, he wanted to give a look of determination, but faltered as his emotions just burst in the open. Trunks missed his mentor, missed his father, perhaps this was the reason he was working so hard?
"If the baby is a boy, why don't we name him Gohan?" Mai placed a hand on his shoulder.
She could see him nod and held him from behind until he felt better. Other than the sound of the trees, silence kept both of them company until they were ready to go. Trunks looked through some more of the blankets and noticed that one of them had Shenlong on it and another had the time machine on it. Apparently, Mai had been visiting Gran a lot before she placed the order in.
"Let's head home Mai." Trunks helped her up to his feet.
"Okay, now that I think about it, what are we going to name the baby if it's a girl?" Mai asked as they began their trek down the hill.
"Not sure, but I bet we'll think of one when we get home."
I thought of doing a one shot with their little bundle, but I thought I would be skipping a step and came up with this one. I wanted to try to explore their time in the aftermath of Black and Zamasu with rebuilding. In addition to that, I wanted to explore with how Trunks would feel since in episode 61 (spoilers if you haven't watched up to that point yet!) got some really big news on how Black came about and where the blame resided. Anyways, I hope you like it and would appreciate any reviews you have.