A/N: if I knew it was this tough writing several fics at a time, I'd have flipped coins to choose what to write. As it is, this is the order I'll more or less update my fics in: A Different Future (this fic), What's Betrayal Among Friends, and Meeting in Another World. (all of which are Trunks-based ^^ (What shameless self promotion :P))
Thank you
A/N: fixed a minor bug ^^ thanks to Raen who told me about it :D it really didn't make sense x.x;;;
A Different Future
Chapter 5 - Drops of Truth.
The truck skidded to a halt and the driver, a man in his 40s, jumped out of it and ran towards Marron.
"Crazy girl, where did you come from?!"
He checked her and was quite happy to see no harm became her. He then went to call the police. Marron sat on the sidewalk, eyes glazed to where the motorcycle went. The man, who came back with his cell phone, also looked. And dropped his cell phone.
"What in Kami's name?!"
The motorcycle was gone. History. Kaput. Smashed against a building. But if a level 7 earthquake couldn't knock the building down, then neither could a bike hitting it. But that wasn't what attracted Marron's attention. That wasn't why the green man Trunks saw came running towards them and observed from the shadows, interested. That wasn't why 17's eyes widened, and a small smile decorated his amused face. No. The reason to all those was that a seemingly normal 14 year old with lavender hair wasn't stuck beneath the motorcycle, bleeding and dying or already dead. But rather, floating about 30 feet away from the thrashed bike, surrounded by a golden aura.
"Trunks."
Trunks stared at the bike for a few minutes, then backwards at Marron and the driver. If he would've been in his right mind, surely he'd have noticed the man in the shadows. But as it was, he let his instincts lead him towards his friend. Upon touchdown, Marron jumped on his neck, sobbing. Trunks barely managed to hug her back.
"Wow, that was amazing! How did you do it?! Whoa, I better call the media!"
Upon hearing this, Trunks picked Marron up, and flew away, both far too bothered to enjoy the ride.
"Hey, where are you going? HEY!"
Following them were the two eyes of the man in the shadows… or rather, the alien.
When Trunks flew through his bedroom window, aura still glowing brightly, he collapsed on the bed. So many thoughts were running through his head. How Marron got so closed up over her home. How she sped up like that, and then lost control. How he pushed her off… and how he was this close to losing his life. But he didn't.
Exhausted, he let his aura vanish and his breathing began to calm a bit. He's alive. God knows why, but he's alive! And not only that, but he could fly! How many teenagers could say that?!
'How?'
That was all he wanted to know. How.
The door opened abruptly and the lights came on, forcing Trunks to cover his eyes.
"Well, it's nice to see you back, son. Do you intent to do something like that again, or should I cancel renting your room?!"
He didn't answer, only closed his eyes and listened to his accelerated heart beat. Bulma's anger melted away as a worried frown came to her face.
"Trunks, what's wrong? Honey, are you sick?"
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she checked his forehead. Cold sweat half covered it. Before she actually got a chance to get even more worried, Trunks pushed her hand away.
"I'm fine, mom. Honest."
He said, eyes still closed.
"Well, if you say so."
Then the frown returned, for other reasons.
"And don't think you'll get away from this, mister! Marron's parents called me, they're worried sick! So naturally, I came to your room, and knocked, but there was no response, and…"
A slight snore stopped her speech. She giggled.
"Oh, all right, sleep your way out of this one, why don't you?"
Bulma took the blanket and covered her son, tucking him in. Kissing his forehead, she left the room.
"Night, sweetie."
Just as she was getting downstairs, the phone rang.
"Hello, Bulma Briefs here, what can I do for you?"
Her face darkened, and on instinct, she looked around her. Seeing no one, she answered.
"How many times did I tell you not to call me here… safe line my behind! Look, I have to go, and…"
Bulma's eyes widened as the voice on the other side of the line told her what he intended to.
"He… what?"
Looking upstairs, she shook her head in disbelief.
"Just thought you'd like to know before you'd see it on the morning news. –click-"
Leaning against the wall, the blue haired genius's face showed utter surprise. Then, a slight smile began to form.
'I'd have loved to see the expression on Gohan's face when he heard this!'
"Way to go, Trunks!"
The next morning, Bulma didn't put the news on the radio, rather, Trunks's favorite music channel.
"Hey, what's the occasion?"
He asked, noticing the music and the lack of a newspaper near the table.
"Oh, I got tired of the news. They're boring."
To her disappointment, Trunks told her nothing of last night's events.
"Marron's parents called."
She detected a small pause in his eating "ceremony".
'He sure got THAT from his father.'
"What about her?"
"Said she was really bothered about something. Really upset. You wouldn't know what about, now would you?"
He shook his head and got his mouth busy with food.
"Well, are you sure you're all right?"
"Positive, mom."
Trunks was about to leave when Bulma hugged him.
"You take care now."
"You know I will."
At first it seemed like the start of a normal day.
"Morning, Trunks!"
Trunks's friends greeted him.
"Morning, y'all."
He said as cheerfully as he could.
"Wait. What's wrong with this picture?"
"I know, Marron's gone!"
Two boys Trunks wasn't exactly fond of laughed. Marron's other best friend, a girl named Tiffany, said:
"I heard she got into an accident last night!"
This ended all laughs.
"Did you hear about it, Trunks?"
The boy contemplated what to say when he felt someone come closer to him, and indeed, a hand came to his shoulder just as the bell rang. Looking behind him, he met Gohan's gaze.
"Gohan?"
"The rest of you, go to class. Trunks, follow me."
No one even peeped.
Vegeta watched the city with narrowed eyes. He had heard the news- his son was beginning to find out about his powers. The question was, if he learned to indeed utilize those abilities, whose side will he be on? And the father knew, his son had no reason to follow in his footsteps.
"So, why am I here?"
Trunks asked as they reached Gohan's office. He'd much rather get bored during math, thinking of last night's events. Events, which more and more began to look like a dream.
"You'll see in a minute."
The door opened to reveal a puffy eyed Marron, finishing the school's supply of tissues.
"Marron, there's someone here to see you."
"Marron!"
Trunks cried out worriedly. The girl looked up, and buried her face in Trunks's shirt. He hugged her as she wept and turned questioning eyes at Gohan.
"She came to me, saying something awful happened to you and that it was her fault."
Mumbles came from the direction of Trunks's shirt as a reply.
"Come again?"
"I said…"
She stopped momentarily to blow her nose.
"That you're supposed to be dead! I saw you go under the truck!"
The boy raised an eyebrow.
"You don't remember?"
"Remember what?"
Briefly forgetting Gohan's presence, Trunks was about to remind her; but Gohan reminded them of himself being existent.
"She said she woke up in bed this morning, the last thing she remembers is you crashing with her motorcycle."
"It's true."
She sobbed.
"There was even an angel. He had the most beautiful golden aura."
Gohan half smiled knowingly.
"You two stay here. I'll go inform the other teachers that you might not go to their classes."
"Thank, Gohan."
"Don't mention it, Trunks."
The older Saiyan left the room and would've done as he said, if he not had the shock of his life. In front of him stood the school's principle, as pale as a ghost. And next to him stood non other than Android number 16.