Okay, I'm just going to finish up with this chapter. Hope it's not TOO bad…and I'm sorry it took so long…and it's a long sad story to tell you all…but I...making people sad is not my purpose, so I won't tell you. I just figured everyone would be happy if I posted this update as well as giving me a little personal satisfaction that was much needed...it feels good to do something you like. BTW, thanks OP…for everything…you're a very sweet and special person.

Don't own DBZ...

A Change in Time

Chapter 14

When Mirai had finally awakened it was early the next morning. He slowly rose in bed studying his temporary quarters. He seemed a bit disoriented, scratching his head as he looked around. His eyes narrowed in on his precious sword that stood in the very far corner. He whipped the covers off and treaded over to the flawlessly crafted weapon and removed its sheath. He felt a strange sensation as he held the sword close, and for a brief moment, it seemed as if he couldn't recall ever having obtained such a beloved gift from his best friend and master, Gohan. But he remembered it all too well instantly and formed a half smile. Placing the sword back into its protective cover, Mirai exited towards the bathroom.

"Damn!" He seethed upon feeling a plastic object crack under the pressure of his bare foot. There was no doubt in his mind that the object in question was one of his little sister's annoying little princess toys. Raising a leg up a bit, he saw what was proof of his hypothesis as the Pampered Pretty Princess Palace Royal coach lay broken beyond repair. "I told that little nuisance sister of mine a thousand times about leaving these stupid things around!" He growled to himself, entering the restroom after picking up the pieces. Roughly closing and locking the door behind him, he then carelessly tossed totaled buggy in the small trash bin beside the toilet and started on his morning ritual.

Half way through brushing his teeth, he froze as the minty foam steadily dripped from his mouth into the sink and examined his reflection in the mirror. 'Wait a minute...' he thought as an instant replay of his previous words and actions flashed in his head. He almost choked on his own saliva upon realization and quickly spat into the sink.

Vegeta and Bulma sat in dead silence at the kitchen table. Breakfast was already served, but was neither had laid a finger on the spread before them, which was very unusual for Vegeta to let his food go cold.

"I just don't get it." Bulma sighed. The Trunks she had thought to be her actual son was now gone back to his timeline, to the past before the tournament took place to be precise. Last night they thought it would be best to try and send Trunks back on the same day he plotted taking the machine. And as a result, Trunks hadn't returned, which was a for sure sign that he was now where he belonged. "Where's our son Vegeta? Where's our Trunks?"

"I wish I knew..." Vegeta left a small huff, frustrated about the whole situation just as much as his emotional wife.

"Now there's only one Trunks." Bulma stifled a sniffle trying to hold back tears. She was sure that Mirai, the remaining Trunks, is also not her Trunks.

"One Trunks?" A little voice questioned, and Bra entered the kitchen still in pajamas. "Why is there only one Trunks?" she inquired with yawn taking her seat at the table and began serving herself.

"Uh..." Bulma hesitated. She hadn't thought about how to explain everything to Bra and Mirai. "Oh...Honey!" She gave way to tears.

Vegeta took a deep breath and looked to his daughter who was staring at her mother worryingly and greatly confused.

"Bra..." Vegeta began with closed eyes. "The Trunks you refer to as 'mean brother' has gone back to his time now."

"Huh?" Bra tilted her head back with a furrowed brow. "Don't you mean 'nice brother'? Did he leave while I was sleeping? Aw...I wanted to say good bye!"

"No, Bra, I mean what I said. Mean brother is gone. He was also in the wrong time. So we sent him back. Nice brother is still here and as soon as he's feeling up to it, we're going to try sending him back as well." Vegeta sighed again and handed his wife a tissue as more tears flowed and sniffles turned to loud snorts.

"But...but...that means...I won't have a brother!" Bra cried in disbelief. "And mean...mean...mean Trunks promised to take me to the Pampered Pretty Princess Palace in the mall today! Now who's going to take me?!"

"Now cut that out!" Vegeta fumed at his spoiled daughter, with reddened cheeks. "There's more important things to worry about then going to that silly little store at the mall!"

"But he promised!" Bra now joined her mother in her weeping, running over to hold her tight. Oblivious to her father, the five year old only blurted the first words that came to mind. She knew no other way to express her feelings in such a situation. "Mommy make Mean Brother come back! I want my brother back!"

"What are you guys all crying about?" Mirai happily entered the kitchen and without giving his family a second look, he strolled past them right to the fridge. Mother and daughter ceased their whimpering and stiffened upon hearing the familiar voice.

"It's a long story..." Vegeta started and jested for his son to have a seat. "...Come here, son."

"Son..." Bulma echoed her husband and burst into tears again as she squeezed little Bra tighter.

"Okay, Dad." Mirai grabbed an apple from and closed a refrigerator door with a foot. He flopped into a chair to the right of his father and then dubiously eyed his mother and sister across the table. "So what's going on with Mom?" He turned to his father and nonchalantly bit into his apple.

"What did you just say?" Bulma suddenly spring up upon hearing what Mirai had casually addressed her.

"Huh?" Mirai gulped a chunk of apple as he was caught off guard. "I just wanted to know what's going on with you."

"No, what did you just call her?" Vegeta said also realizing what the boy just called Bulma and not to mention the term Mirai had used for his father just a second a go as well.

"I called her…Mom? I think?" Mirai hesitated, unsure of the correct response.

"That's what I thought!" Bulma exclaimed anxiously. "But don't you always call me mother?"

"Well...that's true..." Mirai softly stated and paused as he then contemplated on it for a moment. "...Mom." He then finished and smiled at her with a glint in his blue eyes that sent a familiar warm sensation through her very body.

He took another bite of the apple and turned back to his partially flabbergasted father. "What's up, Dad?" He swallowed and reflexively brushed his fist across his mouth.

"Oh..." Vegeta said coming back to his senses."Trunks has gone back in time....to his time that is."

"I know." Mirai smiled at his father.

"But how did yo...when did you..."

"I didn't know he was gone until you said it just now, but I already figured he wasn't this time's Trunks." Mirai smirked at Vegeta and tossed the apple core on an empty plate before him.

"But we hadn't told you that either." Bulma interrupted as she massaged her daughter's back. Bra looked up at her brother with watery blue eyes. "How did you know he wasn't our Trunks?"

"Oh...I've only come to realize it this morning myself." Mirai stood up and walked around the table to embrace his sister, relieving his mother. "Don't worry, Bra. I'll take you to the mall today."

"But you're all better now...you're going to leave and go back to your time too like daddy said.." Bra sniffled rubbing her eyes.

"Now, now, you little nuisance…how can you go back to somewhere if you're already there?" Mirai wiped remaining tear on her red cheek. He set her down gently with a pat on the head and turned to his parents with a wink. "You guys were trying so hard to send me home and I've been here the whole time...isn't it funny!"

"Are you saying you're our Trunks?" Bulma and Vegeta simultaneously shouted, both in astonishment.

"In the flesh." Trunks laughed.

"But how?" Bulma cried happy tears prematurely.

"Mom, you're too smart for your own good sometimes..." Trunks said as he met her with a hug and looked down her. "....you were right the first time. I did become your son. I know everything about this life." He let her go and sat her down in her chair again. "I suppose you think it's Unbelievable, huh dad?"

"Right..." Vegeta smirked at the boy. "Tell me, then, if you are really our Trunks as you say, how did you lose your first tooth?"

"Geez, dad, do I really have tell that story?" Trunks shivered upon remembering. "Ask me something else please....I don't want to remember that."

"No further questions." Vegeta calmly stated sitting back. "You're him."

"And you were sick because you were adjusting...you were having those dreams because your memories were conflicting with each other...one from this time one from your other future?" Bulma concluded after assessing and analyzing the situation quietly to herself.

"Like I said before, mom, you're too smart for your own good." Trunks began helping himself to the platter of cold sausage and eggs. He only used the apple as a diversion, but now he was seriously starving. "And I still remember my other time...but it seems that other time is gone or should I say, merged with this one rather."

"And while you were traveling you missed the merge or something!" His mother exclaimed more discoveries.

"Bingo!" Trunks affirmed while chewing. "The only other thing that didn't merge is..."

"What?" Vegeta raised a brow in calm interest.

"My two swords...." Trunks said after washing down the sausage with some juice. "Unlike everything else, they don't have the same origin. So I have two now. Weird, huh? I figured all this out while I was brushing my teeth! So what it all boils down to is...I really did make a difference when I went back."

"While it all sounds quite logical, I think we should try sending you back anyway." Vegeta rolled his eyes and exited the dining area, starting towards the location of other time machine. His family quietly adhered to the proclamation and followed.

The machine was set for two minutes later, but the destination should automatically take Trunks where he should be. He took his seat while the clear glass shut down before him and waved good-bye. The time machine rose in the air and flashed away.

Exactly two minutes later, Vegeta hesitantly turned his back and slowly started back towards the house with a little doubt that the boy would return. Bulma and Bra stood their ground, looking towards the sky as two sets of teary blue eyes sparkled with hope and silent prayers.

Vegeta abruptly halt his tracks exactly three minutes later, sensing Trunks' power just before the boy appeared again.

"Trunks!" Bulma proudly exclaimed.

Bra ripped away from her mother and quickly levitated to meet her brother. "Brother!" She shouted and embraced him in midair as soon as he exited. "You came back! I'm glad!"

"What did I tell you guys?" Trunks smiled, touching ground before his parents while still holding Bra. "This…is where I belong."

********

"Now that's what you get for trying every trick in the book to evade the inevitable!" Vegeta laughed at his son after listening to the rather lengthy confession. "Let's go!"

"Yeah, dad, I guess it was my destiny to fight in this thing after all..." Trunks sighed and looked towards the sky on his way the martial arts contest. Everything was as it should be including all the photos...he was definitely back in the right time. It was good to be home, and yet he still felt as if something was missing in this time…like he forgot something or someone. He let out another heavy sigh that caught the attention of his father.

"Well, look on the bright side," Vegeta started with his arms crossed as he walked ahead. "This Angela girl is still available, isn't she?"

"That's right! Thanks Dad! I almost forgot!" Trunks happily popped his head up and hurried to catch up with his father.

I guess this is the end...or is it? I don't know...If I think of something I'll let you guys know, but for right now this is it. yeah...I know crappy ending!