"But I wanna fight them, please don't do that," Goku protested, almost whining.
"I don't intend to make a wish that will change your world, Son-san," Trunks reassured. "It would certainly be wiser to do as Bulma-san said, but I understand a Saiyan's will to fight. I have hopes for this dimension now that I know you will survive and train."
"Well if you don't stop that nasty habit I won't let you borrow the Dragon Radar," Bulma pulled her tongue at the time traveler. She may have forgiven the previous interaction, but she still didn't want the teen to keep smoking. Yamcha got close, worried the teenager might not take well to his girlfriend's second lecture about the subject.
Trunks looked back at the feisty woman, smiling, she appreciated how the past version of her mother still cared. She didn't need to know Trunks had a Dragon Radar already, but she figured she owed her an explanation.
"Bulma-san, you really needn't worry about it." She remembered how she'd explained it to her own mother, between screams and confused tears, this one would get a more polite, rational version of the reasons behind the unhealthy life choice. "You must understand- Tobacco dulls my senses and curbs down my thirst for violence. It keeps me from being too reckless when confronted with the smell of death and blood, which is what my world is like on a permanent basis. 'Stupid Saiyan instincts' coping mechanism, if you will." She sighed, that's how her mother had described the habit after it'd been clear Trunks wouldn't budge. "Piccolo-san got me a little too excited earlier," the teenager added with an apologetic look to the Namekian, who just let out a humf sound.
Goku somewhat understood. "Ya don't got a sparing partner to work it out of your system," he concluded. Trunks nodded to show the statement rang true. She had started smoking after Gohan's death, coincidentally. The smell of blood and death only reminded her of that moment, and her first transformation.
"I get it, and I take it your stupid Saiyan metabolism also keeps you healthy anyway, uh?" Bulma grumbled. Trunks nodded again. "Ok fine I'll let you borrow the radar, but the Dragon Balls aren't active right now."
Trunks frowned. Of course someone made a wish in the past twelve months. She'd have to wait, or come back with another round trip. "How long?"
"I think it was in September," Gohan remembered. Krillin confirmed Gohan's memory.
Trunks crossed her arms and mulled things over. Doing a round trip for a month didn't make sense, especially with how much energy the time machine needed and how hard the fuel was to make, but on the other hand leaving now and forfeiting the possibility to make a wish didn't sit well with her. Mother told me it wasn't a priority.
"You can stay with us at Capsule Corp in the meantime! We got plenty of room and Vegeta will love to spar with you for sure!" Bulma decided, and it would also free her from having to repair the robots and the gravity machine all of the time. "My mom will love having a well-mannered handsome guy over for a change," she added and elbowed Yamcha softly with a giggle.
That was a terrible, terrible idea. Plan F? Plan G?
Goku must have seen the obvious and laughed. "Better stay with us, you can tell us more 'bout the androids-robot things, and we'll get some training alright? I mean, Piccolo, ya training with me and Gohan anyway right?"
Piccolo confirmed with a simple yes, and he wanted a rematch with the teenager. They made eye contact and the smirk on both their faces sealed the promise.
Plan G. Trunks accepted; she'd already changed the course of time for Goku and his family, so there wasn't much to mess up there. She also shouldn't be anywhere near Capsule Corp grounds, but Bulma looked disappointed, Vegeta kept breaking all of her robots and demanded insane hours of work from her, so Trunks being there would give her a break for a change. Trunks selfishly wanted to know more about Vegeta too, and seeing the past version of her mother so down made her sad. "I will visit, Bulma-san," she promised with a soft smile.
"It's been decided then," Krillin exclaimed. "I'll be training with master Roshi. See you all in three years!"
Bulma used a flying vehicle capsule for her, Yamcha and Pu'ar to get home, Krillin and Piccolo flew off with the Namekian telling them they'd meet in the morning, and finally only Goku, Gohan and Trunks remained.
"Gonna take us home then, Tora put a hand on my shoulder, k?" Goku stated, and took Gohan's hand with his left hand. He lifted his right hand, folding all fingers but his index and major, which he put on his forehead.
Trunks did as asked, standing by Goku's right side, and putting her left hand on his shoulder. "Like this?" She shared a look full of questions with Gohan who looked just as confused.
"Instant Transmission!" Goku giggled, and... pop.
Chichi screeched and dropped her basket seeing something appear out of nowhere on the balcony where she was hanging out the laundry to dry. She quickly recognized Goku's mane and teared up.
"Goku-sa! You're back! Gohan-chan you're okay!" She'd have jumped to the pair if it wasn't for the third, unknown individual who had just let go of her husband's shoulder. This Chichi looked nothing like the Chichi Trunks knew. She'd turned into a shell of her former self with Goku's passing, and Gohan's death was the final blow.
"Chi! That's Tora, he's gonna stay with us a little while ok? We gotta train, there's a new threat comin'!"
"It's a pleasure meeting you, Chichi-san," Trunks bowed her head.
"Oh you're so polite, pleasure's mine, Tora-kun." Chichi returned the greeting, but she quickly turned back to the important issue. "Goku-sa! What do you mean stayin' with us? You've been gone for almost two years and you-! What you mean ' new threat' ? Again? Gohan-chan's gotta study and you gotta find work! Two years!"
"I have my own house," Trunks tried to get a word in to reassure the woman about her intrusion, but there was no use, and Gohan took her hand to draw her away from the bickering couple. Or rather, the one sided fight in favor of the strongest woman on the planet.
"I didn't know Son-san possessed such an ability," Trunks softly grumbled. She didn't need to intervene with Freeza, after all, the man could teleport somehow. No use crying over spilled milk now, she protected innocents by intervening. Her mother couldn't have known, after all, and she did say the battle she had witnessed was brutal.
"Me neither," Gohan sighed. "He decided to train in space instead of coming back home so I guess.." He'd missed his dad so much, but his dad chose to train over coming back. It was conflicting for the young boy. They leaped off the balcony to take a good look at the scenery.
"Mount Paozu," Trunks breathed out.
"You know from your time, Tora-san?" The teen nodded but gave no context. She'd visited her Gohan's grave often, on these same grounds. This wasn't something the six year old needed to hear.
"I'll set up camp further down there," she indicated.
"Oh no you'll not, young man!" Chichi said, leaning on the rail of the balcony, gesturing widely. "You're stayin' at home and eatin' my home cooked meals and help Gohan-chan with homework and choppin' wood!"
Plan G was a terrible idea.