Trunks didn't bother stopping for lunch before getting on her way to meet the Sons, but she drove the hovercar the long way to waste some time and enjoy the scenery between Central City and Mount Paozu; she had a couple of hours until lunch time and she wanted to arrive after they'd eaten. She used that time to hang out in the small suburbs, listening to the radio. Schools remained closed, but the stores and markets reopened and everyone was trusting and back on track with Mr Satan's announcement that very same morning. Trunks found it peaceful. The earthling population didn't have enough time to actually turn against each other in panic, and that was a relief she was incredibly grateful for. Even if said man absolutely got under her skin with his love for celebrity status and his ill-placed confidence.
She stopped mid-way on her trip to catch a nap in the comfort of her car, in the outdoors, enjoying the shadow provided by a canyon. The timer woke her up before the nightmares clouded her mind, and after making sure she was presentable and putting away her car in its capsule, she flew straight to the Son estate.
Chichi conveyed her thanks for the care package sent due to everything closing down, but Trunks dismissed the gratitude and said it was to be redirected to Panchy, if anyone was deserving of such words it would be her.
Goku and Gohan were happy to train together with Trunks for their second day. Goku easily took charge of the two younger fighters: he fought Trunks first and put Gohan in charge of observing and learning. Trunks also gave him the sword and jacket (and capsule case) for safe-keeping. Their fight was fairly even at first as they worked through their respective super Saiyan states. As previously, despite their individual improvements over their separate training year, Trunks was faster and more resilient, but less calm, less experienced and easier to bait. She quickly realized Goku was able to maintain the form far longer and more efficiently than her, due to having been able to master it as if it were his default, natural state, but actually using the power was another skill. With her fight the day before against Vegeta, as well as their spar a couple of days prior in the Gravity Room was any indicator, Goku was a more powerful opponent, but not in raw strength. She blamed her sense of scale as she couldn't judge anyone unless they were all out, and even then, her comparison to herself felt flawed, biased.
Goku called the fight off first without an ounce of regret, not wanting to go all out nor wanting to be exhausted (nor exhaust Trunks), and asked Gohan to fight next considering the teen was clearly still in great shape. The two half-breeds looked puzzled for a moment, but trusted the older Saiyan and went with it.
Trunks hadn't fought any version of Gohan ever since their last spar before his death, and Gohan only saw the time traveler face off against Piccolo, then his father, during the first stay almost three years prior. This would be a first for the both of them, and that made them nervous and hesitant. It took them some time to actually try to fight. Neither wanted to actually hurt the other and it showed, but eventually Trunks told Gohan to 'show his progress' and with that mindset shifting from 'fighting' to 'evaluating each other', they managed to get invested in their confrontation, even if clearly they went easy on each other. A fun spar, if anything.
Fighting Gohan was uncanny for Trunks; there were some similarities with the memories she had of her version of him, including some strategies and behaviors the younger had inherited from Piccolo, but the year in the Room of Spirit and Time with his father gave him more of Goku's techniques and tactics. This Gohan was also less harsh on her, as her version of him was leagues above her power at the time, and had a mentor role. Despite it all, she still deeply desired to impress him, so she took the fight seriously and put effort in trying to best the younger half-breed. Acknowledging him as a competent ally, above everything else, was the foundation of his trust, and she promised herself she wouldn't disrespect either version of Gohan by treating this version of him any differently.
Fighting Tora was intimidating for Gohan. They had some similar techniques, as a version of himself had taught the time traveler, but there was more to it. Gohan wanted to impress his friend, to show how much he'd grown and how much stronger he had gotten, to be of use and to be a reliable ally, but he didn't want to actually fight Tora. Only when Tora explicitly asked him to 'show him', did Gohan realize he'd made his friend wait long enough, and fought seriously.
Observing the two spar with great attention, Goku wondered just how much stronger and more powerful they could get. His combat sense had sharpened with his time in the Room of Spirit and Time, and he'd sparred with Trunks before. Seeing Gohan fight someone else also gave him a better perspective on both kids. The leaps had been impressive, and when Piccolo gave him a rundown of what he felt of Vegeta and Trunks' fights against Cell, Goku regretted not having been able to witness it himself. Piccolo mentioned Trunks was perhaps as powerful as this perfect version of Cell, but would have lost due to technique and actual ability, which is why the kid, conscious of his flaws, bet everything on the Mafuba. Goku knew it: Trunks didn't know how to fight, and Vegeta was the best tactician he had ever encountered. 'A shame he didn't teach his son,' Goku was disappointed in his rival. But the teenager was smart, did learn something from Vegeta, and afterwards, he asked Piccolo and Tenshinhan to help him out for a few weeks. The results were impressive considering the little time they had and how much Trunks had to learn, and how unlike himself and Gohan, he hadn't fully mastered the transformation. Yet. Tactically speaking, Trunks went from absolutely ignorant to decent amateur, Goku was certain the kid would grow well on his own now he had proper foundations, all he needed was time. The kid knew his flaws, and worked on them like a problem to solve, proving he was truly Bulma's offspring.
Goku observed the different guards and positioning they both displayed, and unlike their previous spars, Trunks used his left hand so much more than before. A good martial artist could use both hands at their best, to guard and deflect with the non-dominant one usually, which Gohan did very well, but Trunks was able to switch easily and it had surprised him (and Gohan) on a couple of occasions. This he hadn't seen before, and he knew for sure both Tenshinhan and Piccolo were right-handed. Gohan was quick to adapt to Trunks' left-handed strikes, quicker than himself, actually, and it made him proud of his son.
Goku could also appreciate how much potential Gohan truly had, something he was certain of since his strike against Raditz. Seeing the two younger ones display such strength gave him faith. His initial hunch, right when his and Chichi's little bundle of joy started walking, got more serious with his almost-year in the white void, and Trunks showing up was a golden opportunity on a silver platter to observe and confirm. Clearly the kids had unbelievable potential, greater than his or Vegeta's, so much power ready to be unleashed within them, and Goku was eager to see it on display, even if the children didn't fight all out (which was probably the wiser choice for the planet, but Goku really wished to see it all). They would become formidable opponents, ones that would surpass him given enough time for them to bloom, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try to keep up with the kids. It was just so exciting.
Now the problem was actually getting there and seeing that power bloom, as Goku wasn't sure he would be able to beat Cell. If nobody could beat Cell, then the whole planet was doomed. Goku wasn't certain, but if he was fated to fail against Cell, he trusted Gohan's inner strength. Gohan could possibly do it, but perhaps wouldn't be able to do it. He had faith it would all be alright, because the other option wasn't fathomable. Goku knew for certain, seeing the two exchange blows, that Gohan had been dealt a better hand than Trunks in terms of circumstances and proper tutoring. 'Trunks is more ruthless, like his parents, nothing can stand between him and his goals, but Gohan doesn't limit himself to goals, so he has more power within,' Goku concluded. Gohan, much like Goku, was process oriented, while Vegeta and Trunks both focused on goals to achieve. Which was why Vegeta would always be a step behind.
Trunks gave up first in their fight, unable to keep up with Gohan's focus, and the trio debriefed with fresh water on the Son lawn.
"Gohan-san, you truly are something," Trunks complimented. She was outmatched, plain and simple.
"You didn't fight me with everything, Tora-san," Gohan dismissed with a little pout, but Trunks shook her head no. She did try her best, at least in terms of tactics and speed, they just kept their power in check to not destroy the whole scenery. Gohan knew better, however, the teenager toned the killing intents down and didn't strike to kill like Vegeta.
"Are you left-handed, Tora?" Goku had to ask, Gohan looked surprised at the question. He'd seen the teen write with the right hand.
"No, I'm right-handed," Trunks answered, raising said hand. "Why?"
"Good martial artists use both in synergy, with a dominant an' so, but you use 'em independently," Goku wondered and gave back the sword he'd held on when Trunks switched opponents. "You din't do any of that when we last sparred."
"Oh that's what it was! It was very surprising at first, it took me a while to anticipate those hits," Gohan added, rubbing his right shoulder where he'd been hit before.
"Have I improved the use of my left hand?" Trunks took a look at both her hands holding her weapon, as if they'd give her answers, while Goku confirmed indeed that it was the case and gave her a couple of examples (both against himself and against Gohan). She had not particularly trained with that flaw in mind with neither Piccolo, Tenshinhan or Vegeta… and then she realized what she had done differently with her left hand.
"Oh, perhaps it is because I have been practicing..." she wondered while closing and opening her fists slowly, one finger at the time. Seeing the other two ask questions with their eyes, Trunks blushed and looked away. "I used to play the piano when I was a child, the instrument demands coordination, but some pieces require a complete separation of the left hand from the right hand. Each hand can play at a different tempo, focus on different pacing, create a different melody…" Seeing the musical jargon being lost on the other two, she stopped and shook her head. "Capsule Corp has a music room and I have been practicing again... I guess some of those skills somehow transferred over, now my technique is above 'non existent'."
Trunks wasn't that convinced about her own assessment, but both Sons thought it was a believable guess (mostly due to their ignorance on the subject) and Goku in particular just focused on the result and not the actual origin of said improvement. Now conscious of it, Trunks could work on improving even further, including with her weapon, which she had used with her right hand or with both hands.
Gohan made her promise to let him see her play, which she somewhat agreed with a certain reluctance as she hadn't played with an audience for a while (that she knew of, as Bulma had been her secret audience since day one). Trunks also agreed that Gohan could come to Capsule Corp as she wanted him to meet Sixteen. Due to Sixteen's fixation on Goku, Trunks had to ask him to not come and apologize for the rude request, but Goku was ok with it and said he'd spend the day with Krillin and Piccolo.
When she got back to West City that same evening, she decided that while she liked her hair long, it was a little too annoying and heavy to keep as-is, especially when sweating. She bought some clippers at the first convenience store on her way to Capsule Corp, and once out of the shower, after sectioning and tying up most of her hair out of the way, she shaved the lower parts on the back of her head and behind her ears, giving herself a simple undercut. Nothin fancy, and she only checked for basic symmetry when parting her hair, but it would do for the time she'd be in this universe. Now even when she tied her hair higher and got it all out of the way, she would still look masculine enough, but if she tied it low or didn't tie it at all, the shave was barely noticeable. What was important is that she felt lighter and it was easier to untangle with her fingers (the blessings of thin straight hair).
For the following couple of days, Trunks tried putting herself at the service of Bulma and Dr Brief to help repair the damage to the Gravity Room, but they refused now that Sixteen was repaired, and there was no insisting. So she settled back in a routine of spending time at the menagerie, fighting Tama's unflinching stare (and losing every single time), chatting with a fully operational Sixteen, caring for her alternate self and playing more piano, including with the baby. Considering Gohan was to see her play later, she decided to not sneak around anymore and used the music room in broad daylight. Bulma eventually came forward when she was playing in the morning and commented on it, without admitting she'd known (and watched) for a few days already. Trunks accepted the odd compliment after fighting off the embarrassment and uncanny situation of being watched by a version of the person who had wanted her to learn to begin with. She was quick to express how her circumstances were different, so Bulma wouldn't get any ideas about giving musical education to her baby. It would fall on deaf ears, certainly. With the Cell Games approaching, Bulma had the foresight to consider Goku would be in Sixteen's presence, so she double checked his programming to see if there was a way to remove the 'must kill Son Goku' order. There was no way, but Sixteen promised he'd deal with Cell first, and not target Son Goku on sight; target priority was clear. Bulma hadn't found a way to deprogram that part of the Android for reasons Trunks was too unknowledgeable to understand, but she did remove the bomb he carried within while she ran some tests on his deactivated hardware.
The day before Gohan was scheduled to spend the day (and the following night), Trunks noticed Vegeta had more or less gone out of his way to be in her presence when she was alone. He'd started right when she came back from the Son household, actually, including during her nightly wanderings in the complex in pajamas. Not engaging, barely looking at her, but present and nearby, and always in whatever civilian clothes he had put his hands on. It was uncanny, but after a few questioning glances that were met with no answers, she just accepted it and let the man be. If he wanted to talk, or do anything, he'd do so on his own accord, so she just went along with her activities as if he wasn't there (albeit more careful with her gait and body language). By lunchtime on May 28th, she was more aware of his presence, spotting his green long sleeve shirt in her field of vision, and started leaving doors open as a subtle and conscious invitation, except when she went to have a comfortable nap. He'd been around her for about forty hours at that point, excluding the times she slept (little did she know, he stayed by her door or by her window during those times as well). Vegeta didn't seize the invitation to communicate, but the pair was somewhat content with maintaining the status quo: they both knew the other was there and while Vegeta was the one seeking to be in Trunks' vicinity, he appreciated the brat not reaching out or trying to engage him like his mate and kid. However, both knew this was just pushing back the inevitable, but there was something more important to take care of before they could resolve their issue. Trunks confirmed she really felt that something was wrong with Vegeta, his quiet ki felt different from the whole year they spent together in the Room of Spirit and Time, but she wasn't about to probe him. Deep down, she still blamed him for the planetary/galactic threat of a monster being alive and more powerful than ever, but she didn't want to fight him and let her temper take over. Priorities.
Gohan showed up to Capsule Corp on the early morning of May 29th, the second 'resting day' post three-day-training for the Sons, with a care package with home-made desserts for the Briefs and a thank-you note by Chichi for Panchy. The two families arranged for Gohan to spend the day and evening and had strict orders to return to Mount Paozu before lunch the next day. Vegeta left the moment the child arrived, in his combat suit.
Bulma was quick to kiss and hug the boy, commenting on his new height and hair color, as she'd not seen him out of the Room of Spirit and Time. She gave him a ruffle for the letter he had sent her as a thank-you for her birthday gift, apologizing for not getting him something for his tenth birthday as well, but she had prepared some outfits his size so he could have some new clothes. Gohan was quick to try and talk the young mother out of spoiling him, but Bulma said it was Chichi's idea since none of his former clothes except for a couple of heirloom silk shirts fit him anymore. She also managed to get Trunks involved in the discussion when she mentioned she hadn't gotten her alternate son anything for his big eighteenth birthday either. Trunks was also quick to try and talk this version of her mother out of any of that as well, and Bulma teased the teenager for having the exact same reaction as Gohan, which earned both half-breeds a groan of embarrassment.
Upon arrival, after putting his bag in his assigned guestroom, while walking in the gardens, Gohan mentioned going out fishing the day before with Goku and Piccolo, with the rods gifted to him for his ninth birthday, and that they had a great day together he'd cherish for a long time. The time traveler accepted the thank-you hug Gohan asked to give, especially without Chichi around saying it was inappropriate. Gohan noted the stiff cloth under the button up shirt, it didn't feel like the armor Tora usually wore, nor like the weighted clothes his father wore. And now he was taller, he could wrap his arms around the older one's waist and put his ear on the chest to listen to the calming heartbeats and inhale the scent he had missed, even if it all felt different now. Like himself, Tora had a slow pulse, but his own got faster when the young adult reciprocated the hug and gently rubbed his hair and upper back, but he felt a certain restraint and Gohan wondered if any of it was fair; he gripped a little tighter and managed to word out his fears.
"Tora-san, you didn't say yes out of obligation, did you?"
"Obligation?" Trunks was confused at the question, the wording felt strange.
"I know you hugged another Gohan, and if I remind you of him.." Gohan rambled a little, tense and whispering, suddenly insecure about all of the times he imposed himself in the other's personal space and Tora being too polite and well-mannered to refuse. He knew better, didn't he?
"Gohan-san," the other sighed, and gave a gentle pat on the back of the head.
"Because we're somewhat the same, and he was your close friend, and I don't want to hurt your memories-" he quivered, imagining how much mourning the older had gone through, was still going through, and he was a reminder of what he had lost. Gohan's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp pain on his right ear, forcing him to look up at his friend in confusion.
"I do not let myself be touched or approached unless I want it to happen, Gohan-san, and you have seen me enforce my boundaries." Trunks' left hand had gone to pull Gohan's ear and force him to snap out of it. Then she ruffled the blond hair that almost reached her chin as further punishment, somewhat offended that Gohan would even think she was that much of a doormat. "Do you think you can bully or guilt me into doing something I do not want? With my lineage?" Trunks scolded playfully, knowing very well both Vegeta and Bulma were stubborn and assertive and that Gohan knew that fact. Gohan protested the ruffle and rubbed at his hair, breaking away from the hug, but Trunks didn't let him off the hook just yet, locked him an arm behind his back, and plain tickled him, taking a successful bet that this version of Gohan was ticklish as much as she was at that age.
"I get it I get it, I'm sorry, Tora-san!" Gohan begged, all red and out of breath as he tried to defend himself half-heartedly. The apology was accepted and Trunks stopped with a satisfied smile.
"What did you 'get' ?" The time traveler probed further, unwilling to have Gohan doubt again her ability to assert herself and her boundaries.
"That you decide for yourself and I don't need to second guess if you let me hug you, it's because you want it," Gohan squirmed, and Trunks released him, letting him wipe his face and arrange his hair a little more.
"Good," Trunks approved of the answer and pulled him back into a hug. Truth was, this version of Gohan reminded her of herself, not of her version of him. "Now there's someone I would like you to meet.."
Gohan met and spent the morning with Sixteen, discussing all sorts of flora and fauna elements (and was ready to fill a lot of school work, much to Chichi's future delight, undoubtedly), while Trunks remained nearby, first to make sure the Android didn't recognize Gohan as a target of his programming due to his relation to Goku, then to just enjoy the peace that came with staying in the Briefs' menagerie. Trunks knew the two would get along if only relying on their gentle personalities and their love for nature, and she made sure to brief Gohan about not mentioning Goku, just in case. Gohan needed a little moment to adapt his subjects of discussion and his statements so the AI would 'get him', mostly because Sixteen didn't read sarcasm, subtext or puns very well (i.e. at all). Seeing all was well, Trunks excused herself for a pre-lunch nap with the baby who had seemingly been cranky, being tended by Panchy and not the caretaker he wanted.
Lunch and the afternoon were uneventful with the Briefs. The baby had finally gotten a hold on his chosen care-taker for the day, holding on Trunks' shirt and staring daggers at anyone trying to deny him his babysitter, but he did reach for Gohan on his own accord. Trunks explained how 'there was no use fighting a Saiyan grip' as it had been explained to her, and the two just accepted the almost one-year-old was successfully bullying them into bending to his will.
The older half-breed realized she would have to play the piano with the baby, but that wasn't that much of a problem as she'd done it before, at least for practice. She showed Gohan what she meant when it came to the left hand being completely disassociated from the right when playing some pieces when she practiced. A physical example made everything clearer. Trunks then decapsulized her computer, separated the screen from the keyboard and placed it in lieu of the music sheet to run the learning program with a simpler melody. Trunks demonstrated each hand, then moved away so Gohan could give it a shot. The boy realized his hands just wouldn't cooperate and hit the keys while following the screen visualizer for both hands, which didn't even indicate which fingers to use. He managed the right hand well, and the left hand well, each on their own, but together? It didn't work out. It took months of training, after all, and even with very few keys being involved at the same time, jumping back and forth or at the same time was just too hard that early on. Gohan promised himself he'd learn at least a little once everything was over.
For the later part of the afternoon, Gohan spent more time at the menagerie, learning about all the fauna and flora the Briefs cared for, and Sixteen joined him, as he enjoyed that section of the compound the most, and they hadn't spoken about everything in the morning. Their admiration for all nature brought to the beautiful planet was certain and they quickly bonded over their love of it all. Trunks let them be, somewhat assured the Android didn't in fact consider Gohan a target, and well, Gohan was strong enough to defend himself.
By dinner time, Trunks was finally free from the baby. She tied all of her hair out of the way at the table with the Briefs and Gohan, somewhat ignoring Bulma's comments on the haircut. Gohan wisely kept to himself that the reason 'Tora cut it like that' was probably because of his father's comments about 'looking girly, like Bulma' a few days earlier.
Gohan turned in his bed, sleepless, the little escapade of happiness was only a moment of reprieve before the Cell Games and he was getting nervous. Anticipation was killing him, and he was afraid of the nightmares. Eventually he decided to leave the bedroom for a little while and walk around the house in his new pajamas, maybe grab a snack and be tired enough to finally actually fall asleep. He didn't expect to find Tora's ki outside of his bedroom, however, but he wasn't actually surprised, so he went to find the energy. Usually, Tora kept his energy under wraps, making himself hard to localize, but he felt his ki and wondered why. When he went to the balcony of the first floor, following the signals, where the older Briefs had had their coffee after lunch, he understood why; Tora was practicing swordsmanship and occasionally his ki spiked with his emotions.
West City was never dark enough to see the stars. With the light pollution, Gohan could still see what was going on easily; the time traveler in pajamas, barefoot, loose hair, scabbard secured on his back, going through his sword exercises on the lawn where the Gravity Room used to be. The strikes were precise, deadly, but also efficient and simple. 'I only used my sword back then to cut dino tails for meat, not to fight,' Gohan remembered. There was no doubt Tora was used to manipulating his weapon, despite its size. The younger one remembered how, when he first stayed at the Son estate, Tora had mentioned the sword had been 'a gift', and when they slept together in his bedroom, how it was an important possession, stated to be enchanted, at least according to its previous owner. That explained why it looked too big for Tora, whoever owned it before must have been taller. Gohan wasn't a good judge of swordsmanship but he could admire the exercise regardless. There was still so much mystery in the lavender-haired young adult, he was reserved but lonely, and Gohan knew he'd confided in him, and in him only, about his insecurities and sense of self. Piccolo was a sort of loner too, but the Namekian wasn't as melancholic; unlike Tora, he wasn't wounded. He saw the two talk, when he was catching up with Dende, and Piccolo slapped the back of his head at some point, snapping Tora out of whatever darkness had taken over his face.
Gohan found himself admiring the resilience of his friend, his heart aching that he'd have to go home and be alone. He wasn't sure if he was afraid of Tora being lonely, or himself, as even if he was great friends with Dende, they just didn't relate the same way. Gohan's mind drifted with a lot of questions, until Tora saw him leaning on the railguard on the balcony and staring with as much discretion as a lighthouse. His panic quickly decided he wasn't ready to explain why he was staring, mostly because he didn't have an answer, and hurried back inside and pretended none of this happened.
Goku spent half the day with Krillin, who tested his reflexes during a morning nap after fishing, and expressed his doubts about being able to beat Cell. There were few people in which he could confide in, and Krillin, his best friend since childhood, his match and counterpart, his most humane and understanding friend, was the one he could trust. Ever since the whole super Saiyan situation, his friends didn't see Goku the same way; he was their hope, their frontline savior, he was inhumane and they all treated him differently. And Krillin too, when the monk mentioned it was just butterflies in stomach, pre-combat doubts.
'Surely, everything will be fine.'
Piccolo touched ground in the early afternoon and discussed strategies with his former rival. Goku had none in mind, apart from 'doing his best' and giving it all in the fight to come. Piccolo loathed Son's carefreeness, but it had somehow worked thus far, so the dice were cast. He also informed him that Dende had recreated the Dragon Balls and that they were active. They could now grant three wishes, and they could still resuscitate more than one person at the time at the cost of two wishes.
The next morning, Goku called Capsule Corp to put Gohan in charge of collecting the Dragon Balls, now that they were active again, to anticipate the resurrection of those killed by Cell and Androids 19 and 20. Gohan asked, all hesitant, if Trunks wanted to come, and she accepted without a problem; whatever happened the night prior was politely ignored, and Trunks was grateful it did, because even if she wore loose pajamas, the absence of a binder would have been noticeable up close. She wondered why Gohan had ran off when she saw him, but she guessed the child had thought he'd been caught snooping and she was more than willing to let it slide. Trunks took the bag Bulma had given her and borrowed the Dragon Radar. Gohan gave his farewells to the Briefs as he'd bring the wishing orbs to the Lookout and return home from there, while Trunks said she'd come back afterwards to return the Radar (and catch some sleep). The task was promptly achieved, bringing the two half-breeds fond memories from a similar hunt a few months/years prior, even if the circumstances were far more serious. It was well before noon when Dende welcomed them on the Lookout with Mr Popo and Piccolo.
After a little bit of socialization (and a pleasant snack provided by Mr Popo) about Dende's new role as a guardian, Gohan went back home to match his promise to be back before lunch. Trunks stayed a little longer, enjoying the calm atmosphere, and eventually asked Piccolo about Vegeta's whereabouts. The Namekian indicated a general area in the wastelands but advised against meeting him; the Saiyan was preparing for battle.
By dawn on May 31st, Trunks dressed in her grey pants, reinforced binder, black tank top and yellow boots, packed everything else she came with, prepared a brief letter apologizing for 'everything', indicating the 'red' Time Machine was the safest place to go to (and which capsule that Time Machine was in her cases) so perhaps they could go to 787, recharge, and then go back further in time, prior to 763, to create another universe, so none of this mattered, and another world would exist where 'Bulma fucking Brief' would actually resolve the crisis before it started. She placed her two capsule cases, jacket, sword, watch, cigarettes, wallet (where she tucked Mika's number and the photograph of Seventeen and Eighteen she'd snatched at his place), and the procedure notebook of the 787 Time Machine on a table, in the bunker/underground facilities of Capsule Corp. If shit was to hit the fan, this was where Bulma would go for safety.
She crossed paths with Sixteen and they went on their way to the designated combat area, without sparing even a goodbye to anyone in the compound.
It was time to either save this world, or die trying.
Boy this one was hard, I wrote double this, but actually ended up pushing a whole lot of scenes out of the chapter because they weren't thematic.
I planned for this arc to be 26 chapters long. Can you guess why these numbers, and why the first two arc were 13? ;)
The piano piece Trunks shows Gohan to show him left-hand / right-hand is Summer 78. You can listen to it here:
track/61IwaYuShjok0iwompmpTk?si=98c74fd5593a49e4
and visualize the hands here: watch?v=U3wo0attigs
(And yes, she does have a couple of piano playlists ;) perhaps I'll share them with you... in due time... :D)