This World I Wander
by Jari S
PG-13, original html version had some italics.
**Added bonus!  After this story (so as not to spam the list) is the poem
"Bra's Hat".

Memories



Klylyn couldn't help himself. I watched his face brighten with the news,
though it meant he would now have to consider me a temporary ally. I wasn't
too worried about Klylyn causing trouble. Growing up, the Klylyn I knew was
a good guy. Even if this Klylyn didn't approve of my sexual preferences.it
wouldn't matter in the long run. I just needed to gain his trust.

It didn't take much thought to understand what Goten meant. "We can use the
Dragon Radar. I see... Though, I can't promise it still functions, or that
there are even Dragonballs to find. We tried that, as a last resort, before
going to sleep. We couldn't locate them, before the radiation grew too
great."

"Good. Then we leave for Capsule Corporation tomorrow." I couldn't believe
it. Goten looked ecstatic, more so than I ever was on Christmas morning. Her
enthusiasm was catching, though I was still heart-broken, but I was
beginning to believe the future of Chikyuu was not looking quite so bleak,
and that was important. Maybe, I wondered, we just might be able to cure the
world of the illness mankind had unleashed millennia ago by dropping the
bombs. My mother would have wanted that.

I looked to my wallet in Goten's hands. She had it opened to another group
shot, this time of both my parents, Bra, and myself. It was rare to get the
four of us together in one photograph. This particular one was taken
casually, probably because we'd never been able to actually have them done
professionally. My father just wasn't one for mementos.

Goten stared at the faces intently, as if willing them to come to life. I
could sense that she did recognize them. Or, maybe it was just wishful
thinking, on my part, though. to this day, I'm really not sure. I wanted her
to remember more of my Goten's past, just in case there was a chance
that.selfish as the thought was, that he might come back to me. "Trunks.
this is your family?"

"Hai. Those are my parents and my sister, Bra, with me."

Her brow furrowed a bit. "Trunks-kun. Your father is Vegeta-sama?"

"Hai. Where else would I get my saiyajin blood from?" When I said this, I
gave her that look I used to give my Goten when he was being silly. I smiled
at her, with my eyes, as I felt my lips curl upwards into a warm grin.

She tilted her head to the side. "Oh."

"My father and Goku-san were the last pure saiyajins to survived the
destruction of Vegeta-sei left in all the universe back then. Any saiyajin
alive today on Chikyuu must be related to one or the other-including us."

Klylyn snorted. "Us?! What's this?"

"Klylyn! Yamero!! I can take care of myself! Don't pick on Trunks.
Otherwise, I won't take you with us to Capsule Corporation." Klylyn went to
grab a chair and sat down, not taking his eyes off us for the moment. Goten
ignored him, and turned her gaze downwards, to the photo on her lap. "So,
that girl with you-she's another sleeper?"

"That's right. My mother should have been here too, though something went
wrong and. she died." I let Goten look at the picture a bit longer, still
hoping for her to remember something more.

She flipped to the next one. The photo was another one of my Goten and I.
This time it was us as children, laughing together. Goten had the biggest
grin on his face as he clutched his tummy and rolled on the floor. I still
remember that day in particular, though we'd shared many moments like that
together throughout our lives.

She smiled as she looked on. "What was so funny? Did you tell a joke or
something?"

"No. We were just laughing. You know, boys will be boys. Goten thought it
might be a good idea if, when we went to go take a bath with his father, we
both did fusion. He thought it'd be nice to have the upper hand, and really
surprise his Dad." I shook my head, reflecting. "It was a classic moment.
Goku-san was shocked. Though, he did manage to turn the tables on us." I
chuckled. "He's a good sport."

Goten scrunched up her nose. "Fusion? What's that?"

"Oh." I looked at her, wondering if she and I would ever be able to fuse.
Maybe then she'd trust me, if we became one. Her ki was just like my Goten'
s. I was pretty sure we could, even though she was female. Still, I was
afraid that if I explained it wrong, she might not like the idea, or think I
was lying.

"It's a fighting technique, ne?"

"Hai. It was something Goten and I did together, mostly when we were kids."
I looked over to Klylyn, curious to see how he would react to this. He was
still staring at me, a slight scowl on his face. "It's a series of
dance-like steps that must be completed in exact unison. Even our ki's must
be exactly even as we move. If done right, Goten and I could fuse into one
person. His name was Gotenks."

"What?" She didn't seem to believe what I was telling her. Klylyn stood up
from his chair and moved to position himself next to Goten. "Did you say.
Gotenks?"

Klylyn put a hand on Goten's shoulder. "Lea-chan says that name a lot in her
sleep." Goten turned to him. "What? How could I not hear you? It freaks me
out."

"When did I start doing that, Klylyn?"

Klylyn looked away, and ran his other hand through his hair. He didn't seem
to really want to answer that, but he did. "Ever since I've known you. You
don't do it every night, just sometimes. Like the last time we were getting
ready to face-off against the Kikai-jin or after a long day of training."

"You mean." Goten tilted her head a bit, thinking. "Gotenks has nothing to
do with Yurei, does he?" I kept silent, hoping she'd come to the right
conclusion on her own. It wouldn't do either of us any good if I spoke up.
"Ano."

"Yurei could have used that info to his advantage when he warped your mind,
Lea-chan. I still don't trust this guy farther than I can throw him."

"What if we could do fusion-what then? Would you believe me, Goten?" Her
brow creased when she looked at me. "I mean-Leader-san? Gomen."

"Maybe. I think I'd rather see Capsule Corporation, first. Have you really
been inside?"

"Hai! It's my home. I've lived there all my life."

"So you say. I'm willing to take you at your word, though, I do owe it to
the others that I not take too many unnecessary chances. My father was too
trusting-and it got him and my mother killed, not to mention a few key
fighters. Forgive me for being cautious."

"Hai. I understand."

"Can you walk?"

"I can, though, my wounds are still sore."

"Then, we leave tomorrow, at sunrise."




Suspicions



"Bra? Could you come over here? I need you."

Yurei had called to her, from within the bathroom. She was still standing
there, in the hall, waiting for him to finish dressing. She wished he didn't
look so handsome, or so much like her father. Yurei was breaking her heart!
Still, she would not allow herself to drop her guard. He was still an
enigma, and without Trunks, she wasn't sure how to handle the situation.
Maybe she shouldn't have invited him in for tea and cookies. Ano. at least
now, she wasn't just moping around, waiting for her brother to return. Maybe
having Yurei around actually has been a good thing. She sure hoped so.

"What is it? Are you decent yet?"

"Ano. As decent as I can possibly get for the moment." Yurei sounded a bit
embarrassed, though Bra couldn't possibly see what he had to be embarrassed
about. She knew that the saiyajin boy would cut a fine figure in that
spandex. He must be up to something.

"Nani?"

"Could you help me--"

Oh, no. Bra didn't like where that question was going. not at all. Maybe all
he really wanted was to sleep with her. this boy seemed to be one small
bundle of hormones. "No!" She wouldn't have that. Not now, not from some
baka who looked too much like her papa for his own good.

"Bra?" She didn't answer him. She wasn't mad, just scared a bit of how she
might react if she did go see him. What if he was naked? "Bra?" The door
opened, and the boy stepped out. Bra prepared to cover her eyes, though, she
didn't think to just shut them. There wasn't any time to, anyway.

"You're dressed?" He looked at her, obviously perplexed. Bra let loose a
small sigh, glad to see him fully clothed.

"Hai. Could you get me a needle and some thread?"

"Why?"

"My tail. I don't want this outfit to tare. I need to stitch it up, for
reinforcement." Bra watched as the area around his mid-section began to
ripple. His tail was there, wrapped around his waist, underneath the blue
spandex outfit she had given him to wear. She smiled. It just looked
strange. "Please, Bra? I'm uncomfortable."

She shrugged. "Alright."

Bra left to go get her grandmother's sewing kit, while Yurei waited in the
bathroom, and an extra pair of Trunks' old shorts and a t-shirt. He'd need
them, if she were to stitch up his new out-fit. She wasn't going to cater to
his fantasies. Not a chance.

Upon returning, she walked in and found him sitting on the toilet, his
cheeks flushed. Maybe she'd misjudged him? She wasn't sure anymore. He could
just be messing with her head. Come to think of it. Bra shook her head. "You
just love to throw me off guard, don't you, Yurei?"

He stood up, and she held Trunks' shorts up to his waist, in an attempt to
judge where she should cut the tail hole. "These can be your pajamas. I don'
t want you smelling up this outfit, too."

"Let me do that, Bra." He reached and grabbed the shorts, pausing long
enough to watch her reaction. "I can sew. I've had to do it all my life."
Yurei sifted his way around the sewing box, withdrawing a blue roll of
thread, a thimble, a needle and some pins. "I bet I could do it better than
you can."

Bra smiled. He was showing off, wasn't he? His sugoi sewing skills. How
cute. As she watched, she realized, he really did know what he was doing.
Yurei worked fast, concentrating fully on his task. He really was good with
his hands, stitching in a small, even series. Before she knew it, he was
done. Bra stood up to leave, and let him change.

She didn't go far, just outside the door. She could have offered to let him
use the sewing machine, but she figured this would keep him busy, giving her
a chance to think at last. Bra wasn't quite positive, but she suspected that
Yurei was the type to play mind games. He just might not be so innocent as
he would have her believe.

Still. maybe that was what she wanted to believe? He did resemble her
father. What if? No. She did not want to lead her train of thought down that
particular avenue. He must be. Bra allowed her brow to crease as she
pondered. Yurei-is he a descendant of my father? He can't be. Papa died. The
others felt his ki dissipate in the explosion. How could. How could Yurei be
saiyajin? She wanted answers.

Would Yurei know?

The bathroom door opened, and he stepped out, dressed in the t-shirt and
shorts, his other new clothes tucked under his arm. He had this wide grin on
his face as he strutted towards her. "Hey Bra? Let's go view that light
projection apparatus-you know, the one with the sound and the funny people.
It might take me a while to do this."

"What do you mean, light projection apparatus? T.V.?" Yurei put his thumb to
his lips and bit down on the skin just above his nail. Bra laughed. "You
dork! It's a television!"

"Huh. Yeah, I guess. Such simple words for simple minds." He dropped his
thumb from his mouth. "You know. these clothes make me feel like those funny
people displayed on the apparatus. Do you think I look handsome?" Bra put
her hands to her hips and he smirked. "I know you think I'm cute."

Bra blushed. "What makes you say that?"

"I heard you. When we touch, I can read your thoughts."

"Yurei. come on. Let's go watch TV."




Directions



"Yo! Sleepn' Beauty-wake up. Or, maybe I can convince Lea-chan to leave you
behind."

Not the most pleasant way to arise in the morning; his voice was too
annoying to my sensitive ears. I rolled over carefully and sat up. Damn.
Goten really shot me good, though I knew I would be able to walk. I had to
show her Capsule Corporation. Then, she'd have to believe me.

"I'm awake, Klylyn-san. Just give me my boots and my sword and I'm ready to
go."

He shook his head. "That's not for me to decide."

"Klylyn!"

"Lea-chan."

"Give the man his boots." She placed her hands on her hips and smiled.
"Heck, his sword, too. He's a supersaiyajin-so what's the use of not giving
it to him?" Goten turned to me, dropping her hands once more. "You are a
supersaiyajin, ne?"

I nodded, then swung my legs carefully over the side of the bed, letting
them touch the floor lightly as I slowly applied the weight of my body in an
attempt to stand. "I could fight now, if necessary. Though. I'd rather not."

As I stood, Goten took my arm. "We. We could wait a day, Trunks. You don't
have to push yourself."

"No. Let's go. I can do this." I smiled. "You sure have learned to handle
that bow of yours well. You may be stronger than the Goten I knew."

"I am."

Goten? Did she remember. I looked away, not daring to ask, not wanting to
upset either of us. "We'll have to spar sometime and find out."

"I'd like that."

I hadn't noticed Klylyn-san had left the room, being so caught up in the
moment and the mystery surrounding this Goten, but he was back with my boots
and sword. "I don't like this much." He shook his head. "You better be the
genuine article."

I took my boots and gingerly sat back down on the bed again to put them on
my feet. "It's alright, Klylyn-san. Really. I'm not one of the bad guys. I
want to see Chikyuu restored just as much as you do, if not more. My family
and friends would have wanted that."

We left after that and wandered through the forest towards the ruins of my
home. Klylyn and Goten were silent for the most part, as was I in turn.
Though, it would have been safer to keep alert to danger, I let them lead as
my thoughts strayed to the mystery of Goten and the hope that we could be
reunited somehow, if we were not already.

This Goten seemed to be a bit more disciplined and less carefree than my
Goten, not to mention much more focused. She had continued training her
whole life and learned to use a weapon effectively. I could really feel the
leg wound she had inflicted throb painfully as we walked and I also began to
realize. Goten could be much stronger than me.

Still, my Goten had lived most of his life with family and friends in
peaceful times and did not have the burden of a group to lead or a cause to
fight for. Would he have been more like this Goten, if he'd lived her life?
I still wasn't sure, but it was worth considering.

I decided then not fuss over the matter and just let events run their due
course. I was pretty sure that this must be my Goten, reincarnated. Though,
I was a bit perplexed at how such a thing could be possible. I laughed. I
should know better than to question some things. Why not? Maybe his being a
woman was Enma-sama's idea of a joke.

"Shh. Trunks-kun, what could you possibly be laughing at?"

"Nothing, Goten."

She had the cutest look on her face and smiled at me, shaking her head. "I
don't understand you," she whispered. "I'm supposed to be the woman here.
Yet you seem to go through more mood swings than I ever do, even just before
my time of the month."

Her words totally floored me. I think I must've blinked several times while
she softly chuckled. "Uh. Gomen, Goten." Uncharacteristically, I rubbed one
hand behind my neck and blushed, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "I
still think of you, as. like a guy. Old habits are hard to break, you know?"

She continued to smile while we silently walked on. As I felt myself relax a
bit more, I began to take in more of the scenery. If I did not know how the
world used to be, I might have thought the forest to be more comforting than
spooky. The air was warm and moist, and the breeze was pleasant enough as it
blew through the trees. Still, I'd have felt much better if we traveled
under a blue sky.

Klylyn motioned to Goten and I to stop. I could not sense any other large
kis in our vicinity, but he seemed certain. Goten reached for her bow, and
in silence, we stood ready.

There were people out there, in the mists.

~*Jari*~
(scroll down for poem!)

Copyright Jari Son 2001
DBZ copyright to BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION
and licensed by FUNImation Productions, Inc.

This World I Wander
(poem stolen from Bra's diary)





Bra's Hat

I own a hat
With the tag still on it
That I wear now
Colorful cardboard logos in full view.

I won't cut the
Plastic thread because they
Don't make hats with tags
Like these, anymore.

...

Mother might have laughed at me
(Were she here, not lying under the marker brother made)
Tears start as I chuckle with the thought.





Jari Son 200
last revised 11/13/01


DBZ copyright to BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION
and licensed by FUNImation Productions, Inc.






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