Second in Line (Saiyan OC's)

Deals (1)

*3rd POV
Focus: Trunks

"I just couldn't comprehend it, you know. You say we live in different cities, but for some reason you and your family persisted to show up every time my family has something important in mind. Not that I don't like it, but--"

"Well then," Bana, with little care, flicked away the pickings from another round of digging his own nose as he sat cross-legged on the grassy front yard of Bulma's place, "just stay quiet about it. Say instead how in that way I might be sure to back you up should anything nasty pop up."

Trunks sighed. "And this again--how come almost every time you speak, you did so with such... bossy logic, that I can find little to talk back on?"

"Duh. Not my fault that you do not manage to talk back. Saiyans after all are witty talkers, or haven't you noticed?"

"Know what, Cousin?" Bulma's son stooped down, whispering fiercely, "screw that Saiyan bit, if that's what so obsessed you. Oh, I know we're in different leagues about that; what I so dislike about you, however, is that cocky air you spew about. It's just... too much!"

"Keep your proper talking distance, bro," Bana warned; and when this was observed, he sighed, standing up.

"We were talking 'bout city-living, and now you drag me into speaking manners... Be it so, then. Look--so very sorry if you have had those uncomfortable feelings 'round me all this time; in that case you could at least try to stay away from me, don't you think? If not, well, then please bear with me."

Trunks gulped.

He's indeed beginning to sound more like miniature-Dad..!

"I... could not, so easily..."

"...What was that again?"

"I mean... we still have something to do together, remember?"

"You worried about that spar still?"

"Well, I... uh..."

Bana squinted while tilting his head.

"What's the matter, Trunks? Go on, spit it all out. Could it be that you're getting afraid to stand off 'gainst me, somehow, and that the heralded spar might just turn out to be a farce on your part? Hmm?"

"Well, if that's how you'll put it... I think the answer is Yes."

"...What?"

"You heard me--yes, it could be that I'm chickening out to you, 'cause... I don't know, you seem to have this glow with words that far eludes me; and one that makes me think you're quite similar to my dad."

"Trunks, dear cousin, now please just hear me out." Bana circled his arm in a friendly manner round his cousin's shoulder and drew him near. "We are talking about two very different things: words and swords, or should I say, muscles. Now then, you're chickening out 'cause you think I talk better than you--what's it got to do with fighting, if at all?"

"Nothing, I admit... but, I got that if you're already that good with words, why should I not expect the same with, er... muscles? I'm not such a fool to risk coming up 'gainst such an adversary--not to mention that white-haired Super Saiyan form that I hadn't seen before--"

Bana growled. "Said yourself to screw that part up; why bring it up again now?"

"See? This is my point; I could scarce talk back to you--as is the case of my dad with your mom, I should think."

"Oh, so now you decide to bring up your dad to the frame. Very well, I'll indulge you."

Bana took off his hand, and stood straight again.

"Thought I'm so much similar to Uncle, you said?"

Trunks nodded. "'Specially in that skill with choice words and the way you bring down people's arguments with oh-so-much ease, like what you did just now; except that in my dad's case, there is still Mom to match him."

"I see. All the same, have you ever trained with your dad, I wonder?"

"Of course."

"So why won't you grant me this simple stuff, Cousin?"

"Eh..?"

Bana's expression as he posed the question was of such earnestness that Trunks felt it would be improper not to match it.

"Cousin, are you--"

"Listen! You heard it when your dad referred to me as 'of little help' as we were on that cruise-liner gathering to bring forward that Super Saiyan God, right? Now, that jolted me up; I realized I haven't been quite up to shape lately. I realized I need to re-train, as you yourself suggested; so only problem now is to find a sparring partner.

"For this, apart from my mom I haven't really been too close with anyone I could deem as a decent fighter. Your dad proved too hawkish to even consider this; Goten is too young, Piccolo too squeamish, my dad and Hercule too weak.

"Then, you showed up; you, a family member who is quite close to my own age and one that I thought might qualify--no matter how little. Now it seems you too are backing out of it--" here Bana lowered his voice and spoke with more emphasis, "--so, just who else ought I to approach... Cousin?"

Trunks realized he was gaping, and quickly fixed it.

"So... you're not gonna fight to win, in this case?"

"Depends."

"Then, have you perhaps come across Goten's brother?"

Bana looked up. "Gohan?"

"Yes."

"That Saiyan geek riding on a yellow cloud I met the other day?"

Trunks rolled his eyes. "Wouldn't advise calling your elders like that, but yes."

"Well, what of him?"

"You said it--he is Goten's brother, therefore Goku's eldest son; and of all, you must know just how strong that guy is."

"You have my attention."

"Why not try approaching either of them and suggest you're up for a spar, instead of with me? Now, honestly, I might not be able to offer much of a fight that is worth your level--but I'm tellin' ya, Gohan and his dad are of different tiers than all the common fighters I happen to know of. Besides, we still got three days before the appointment."

"Hmm."

"So, how 'bout it?" Trunks had by now gained enough courage to elbow his cousin on his own elbow, "a fair fight between powerful Saiyans that you might have craved for years! Might not be there to watch myself, but sure gonna be fun at least for you."

Bana looked at him again.

"Got it. Problem is, I came here with my mom and she's sure takin' it long in there. About Gohan, though, guy said he worked in East City which is where we live, so let's just see if I could get to him again. If not, well, I know I could rely on you to show me the way to Kakarot's home again--or, better, Gohan's own. Said he's friends with Videl too."

"Sure," they joined fists, "call me anytime; and for your information, they are married now. I and Goten once presented her a wedding gift."

"Wow, really? Didn't know you had that side. What was it, the present? Jewels? Make-ups?"

"Nah, couldn't afford either. Just one big jar of plain spring water, taken at source."

Bana stifled a laugh. "They took it?"

"Even asked for more should we have the time to provide it."

"Well, duh... if Gohan's as good as you said, perhaps he's not too much of a geek after all--"

"Really, and who is this 'geek' you're laughing at so much?" another voice echoed. The blond child tensed immediately.

"Yikes... Mom, is that really you..?"

The sound of fists cracking. "Seems you're in for more than simple words, Bana~"

"R-REALLY SORRY~!!!"

***

Bana's motives revealed :D
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