Set after the Majin Buu Saga, during the birth of Trunks's sister, Bra.

Trunks have always loved his parents' stories. They told him about the dragonballs, about the evil villians, about outer space, about the otherworld. But the one he enjoyed the most, the one he continuously bugged them to tell him again, was about Cell.

Not specifically about Cell. More about another mysterious character, one his mother referred to as his mirai self. His father, well, just called him "the older brat". Not that Trunks really minded, he was used to that term.

He enjoyed listening to his mother tell him about his alternate timeline counterpart. Sometimes, in his dreams, Trunks would get faint memories of his older self. But the best part, he felt, was the part Cell killed him. It was not that Trunks liked the prospect of dying. It was what came next-the part when his father jumped in, full of rage.

The child himself had heard many versions. One from Gohan, his best friend's older brother. One from Krillin, the short guy. One from his mother. And one from Yamcha, his mother's ex. As far as he was concerned, however, Trunks knew they all ended the same way-"See? Your father does care."

It was only the version he received from his father, that confused him.

The story was the same, the ending was the same. But after that, Trunks had asked, "Do you miss him?"

"Why." Vegeta replied. "Of course I do." He had said it in the most expressionless of ways that Trunks was not sure whether or not to believe him. Instead he asked, "how about me?" Vegeta paused for a while, presumingly thinking, then said, "both of you are different."

"How different?" Vegeta had said nothing, preferring to stare out the window. Trunks assumed the conversation had ended, and he felt he was proven right when Vegeta got up to leave. But his father stood in the doorway for a while, then gave him an answer. "You're both Trunks, but you're not the same."

It was only a few years later, after the events of Majin Buu, that Trunks began to realise what he meant.

When the normally stoic prince had pulled his son in for a hug, Trunks couldn't be more happy. He was, of course, more than glad when his father told him he was proud. Then Vegeta blew up.

It was such a blow to the young heir, he began to question his father's words about being proud of him. Then, he began to wonder-what type of pride was it?

His training in the hyperbolic time chamber was, not only a platform for success but also a time where the 8-year-old thought more than he ever did. And there came the question-what type of pride was it?

He knew the way his mother was proud of her inventions, the way Chi Chi was proud of Gohan's work, the way Goku was proud of Goten. He knew how it was different from the way Yamcha was proud of his new car, or the way 18 was proud of her new shoes, or the way Goten was proud of his new toy. What Trunks did not know was, what category did his father's pride for him belong too?

He hoped it was the former. He really hoped it was the former.

It was not.

Trunks had always been hoping to meet his mirai self. A year ago, he would have wanted to play with him, spend time together like brothers. Now,

Trunks would beat up his older counterpart.

About 5 years after Earth exploded, Bra was born. Trunks was 14 then. He loved his sister, he really did. He would give up his life before he let any harm get to her. But seeing his father by his mother's side, holding her hand throughout labor, broke something in his heart.

He stayed.

He stayed for Bra.

That was the only thing he could think about, with his heart pounding in his chest, and his mother's screams echoing in his head.

Trunks knew, when his mother was pregnant with him, Vegeta wasn't there. He had left to train somewhere in space, and had returned long after his birth. But he was told, he shouldn't blame his father-after all, he stayed behind after the Cell games. They said, "Vegeta was dealing with emotional problems back then. First time being a dad. He stayed for you in the end, you know?" No, Trunks did not know.

In fact, Vegeta staying behind after the Cell games was what bothered him the most.

He did not stay before the androids. Why? Trunks, he was there. It was before Vegeta knew the teenager from the future was his son, and had got to know him. No, Vegeta only knew about his current time son, the infant. And back then, Trunks knew, his father did not stay. For him.

It was only after the Cell games, after the realisation about Mirai Trunks, was that he settled down in Capsule Corporation.

Trunks watched his father whisper something to his yelling mother from behind the glass panel.

He felt cheated. He was glad his father stayed, really he was. But what Trunks was bothered about, was that Vegeta did not stay for him.

Vegeta stayed for Mirai Trunks, for the boy he trained with in the hyperbolic time chamber.

He stayed for Mirai trunks, to tell him that he would not abandon him.

He stayed for Mirai Trunks, the one he went into a rage for when he was killed.

He stayed for Mirai Trunks, the one he wanted his current son to grow up like.

He stayed for Mirai Trunks, the son who had truly awoken his heart.

And as Trunks held his baby sister, he felt tears run down his cheeks. Tears of joy, and tears of sorrow. He wanted to think, 'Welcome to this family', 'She looks so beautiful'. But he could not-his newborn sister was in his arms, and his thoughts were far from her. 'I'm a replacement.'

'I am a replacement, for my alternate timeline self. A replacement for someone my father loved."

He felt his father behind him, and his presence cold. It was a happy gathering, to celebrate a new family member. But Trunks had never felt more left out in his life.

It was then, Trunks finally knew what his father meant all those years ago. "You're both Trunks, but you're not the same."

And he never would be.

How was it? Please R&R! If you like these kind of stories try my other fic "Happily Ever After". It's sad. Like, really sad. At least, that's what my reviewers say...