*Trunks' POV

Hey! Sorry for not tellin' ya guys earlier, but I'm off to a secret training spot. Now when I say 'secret', it's because I don't want Bana to find out exactly where it is and so give him an excuse to freely snoop in. I mean, he already appears to best me in almost any field that an eight-year-old could think of; can't I at least have the edge in this one? Look, I don't wanna be seen as if I'm pleading, but... just, please back me in this, will ya.

For the record, I'm alone as in not taking Goten with me in this training. I won't go back on that fresh personal promise: if I want Goten to be out of real danger (such as facing off against Bana), I'd have to keep him out of anything that's gonna lead up to it. Let this be an internal matter.

...What? Goten's the one suggesting the spar in the first place, so how could I now venture to keep him outta it, you say? Heck, I know that--but I don't wanna be judged as someone taking his best buddy into harm's way when he knows it. So... again, sorry for this, Goten; I just don't wanna see you get hurt more than you ought to be. You have no idea yet, what some people in my family are actually capable of doing. Better that you don't know.

Bringing in Piccolo into the secret might not be of too much help either--you might have noticed how even he was attracted to Bana's 'gleaming' potential, and I've little doubt that he would leak that location bit to wrong ears, once he gets to know of it. Better not take any chances; it's not like I couldn't train by myself, anyway.

Besides, my impression is that the Namekian has been too fussy about 'can-do's'. Not sure if I could stand that type around, when left alone.

However, I did tell my parents what I've been doing; and they basically allowed it if I could be home by sunset, given that such 'sessions' are done right after school if I could see to it.

I know; quite a double-play I have been doing all these days, huh. Believe it or not, it's been going remarkably smooth.

Now then, for my own case... for some time I have been training in this no-man's land that was rumored to be where Goten's father and Dad once fought, years before; trying out various moves such as a brand-new signature attack that I called 'Finish Buster' (might not be of much help in close-range, I suppose) but most importantly trying to figure out how long I could expect to maintain my Super Saiyan form during combat--for this is quite unlike our Fusion form.

That alone was indeed a tiring business... especially since I have this idea that my cousin's Super Saiyan form might not be an ordinary one, given his pure Saiyan bloodline. White hair? Let's face it, there's a dying breed with a power level possibly beyond imagination. I have confidence he would not hurt me too much in that, but recklessness for my part just won't do.

Dahh, why do I keep getting sidetracked?! I need to focus if I'm gonna stand a chance against Cousin...

First off... stance. I set my feet apart on the ground, half-crouching; both my fists at waist level. Doesn't matter if the eyes are open or closed, but the second method would provide better inner focus. I'll go with the first for now.

"Haa~"

My Ki started gathering around, forming a yellow spiky aura around the body. This was accompanied by my hair turning blond and growing spiked at the ends; my eye color changed to cyan.

...Okay, that's about it. Now let's try using it with my new signature move. I raised both hands as high as I could manage, as wide apart as the legs.

"Finish--"

Tiny yellow orbs of aura gathered above my up-stretched arms, forming up to something like a huge fireball. I held that pose for quite a while until the ball's size was about as big as twenty adult's fists.

"--BUSTER!!"

The shout echoed superbly as I hurled the energy ball towards one rock of many that dotted this place. It vanished, or rather leveled to the ground.

"*Pant...* *Pant...* Whooo, way to go!!"

But... well, like I said, it wouldn't prove much in close-quarter combat. Not many opponents would want to wait for me charging the energy like that; and while doing it, I'd be completely exposed.

Phew... alright, done putting on daily clothes in place of the one for training, and putting the one for training in my backpack. Now, better get home and into a good shower. See ya!

***

"What in the world--?!"

As I was entering my house's front yard, I found Cousin panting heavily while sitting on the steps that led to the Gravity Chamber. Oh, it appears he's been there then... But...

"Um... are you... okay..?"

"Heck!" he spat, "how... *pant* ...am I supposed to be, halfling?! Your dad's been fiddling with... *pant* ...the gravity levels where I trained, it seems, for these four days. First day... *gulp* ...I noticed it was 200, still got it; then 250, then 300... *huff!* Today I begged while sprawled on the ground to be allowed to quit, and I have every reason to believe the present level was 350-somewhere..."

"T... three hundred and fifty times gravity, did you say?! That's way too far, even for a full-Saiyan kid. He's taking you to his own levels!"

"I wouldn't know, darn you!"

"Okay, don't try putting that on me now. Still, I suppose I should congratulate you in getting out of there in one piece..."

"Meh. I gather my mom would ransack this place if she finds out. Where have you been, anyway? School isn't supposed to take all this long--and why are you all that sweaty?"

"Well, uhh, you know... visited some friend's house. Group assignments. Not to add, the days are getting hotter..."

That was very close. Still, no signs of Goten around--so chances are that the secret's still safe.

"Say, Bana..."

"What?"

"You fixed the time of the spar yet?"

He looked up. "Didn't expect it coming from your side... but no, not yet. Since it's your wish, why not pinpoint it yourself and I'll just see to it?"

"Hey, it was Goten's idea."

"I don't care if that second half-pint of Kakarot would show up, if at all--it's you I'm concerned about."

[HEARTBEAT]

...Please repeat!! Someone, please make sure I grasped that point correctly!! He is concerned about me..?! And here I am, growing uneasy at the very idea of having to face him...

Bana must've noticed my shock, for he smiled.

"Tough decision, I know. Take your time then, and let me know when you are ready. For the moment I'll be leaving." He stood up. "Oh, tell your dad to apologize properly 'bout the gravity rates next time we meet, ey?"

Dad, apologizing? I would gladly smother him for that.

"What, he's not around?"

"Off to his own kinds of training--would expect no less from an elite."

"What about my mom?"

"Dunno. Might be ready with some crisp remarks, or some cold tea for a well-deserved training. Why not go find out?"

"Why, if she's really serving tea, I suggest you take it. Sure looks like you could use a cup or two."

"Nah, thanks. She's nice enough to allow me train in her property. Better make it private, Trunks."

"If you say so..."

"Thanks for the offer anyway. Then, I'm off!"

"Take care!" I waved, not too long, before entering the main building.

"I'm home~"

"Oh, Trunks! Nice timing..."

...Is she being sarcastic?

"What's up, Mom?"

"Your aunt phoned, asked about her son. Seen him up front?"

"Yep, just dashed off like he always did. Wonder why you needed to ask, though; he shoulda seen you before leaving."

"Well, I was in the middle of some work and the call reminded me that it's break time. Speaking of time, you're much earlier today, son."

I shrugged. "Not too many things to train on."

"Mm-hmm?" she looked at me with a sweet squint. "I gather you're ready to stand up to him, then?"

"We even discussed when to meet, so I guess..."

"My, it does sound like it'll be like the Junior Tournament again! Wish I could see you bringing him down..."

"Oh, trust me, you'll miss nothing," I replied as I went curtly past her.

Better bring along some fresh bandages when you do, Mom; just in case. Yeah, I mean, my opponent in that last Tournament was a blonde pipsqueak which I took down in two hits and no less; but this one... I wouldn't address him that way, for sure.

"Which reminds me, Trunks, I've made some tea. Drink with me?"

...!!

...Cousin, you impudent mind-guesser...

I turned.

"Why not."

***

Any predictions how the spar would turn out? :D