Chapter One: Bitter Memories

AN: I've not written anything with Trunks so far and I've had this tale in mind for a while….

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of its characters, Akira Toriyama does!

…..

Trunks kept his eyes on the road ahead as West City traffic whizzed around him. The rush hour was no joke, scores of vehicles crowded the street with impatient drivers intent on reaching their destinations as rapidly as possible.

"Thanks again for the lift, Trunks. I was supposed to ride home with Kanida but she had an emergency. If it weren't for you I'd be stuck at West City University until the end of mom's shift," Marron chortled.

"Don't mention it. I was in the area anyway," the lavender-haired son of Vegeta mused.

Trunks hit the brakes coming to a complete stop at a traffic light. He was boxed in on both sides. His eyes widened in horror as he saw a vehicle weave crazily from side to side and then barrel straight for him! The obviously inebriated driver had no intention of stopping. He leaned to his right and tried to shield Marron from the impact as best as he could before he heard the sickening crunch of metal against metal and Marron's terrified scream….

….

West City Hospital/Trauma Center:

Dr. Julie Handers watched as the double glass doors slid open to permit the entrance of paramedics pushing a gurney containing a young man that had sustained numerous injuries. She had been notified that a head-on collision had occurred a short distance away; no doubt this was the patient she was expecting.

The paramedic team leader gave his report as Julie gave orders to her own medical team to treat the new arrival.

To the doctor's surprise neither reckless driving nor illicit drugs had caused her charge to be rushed to the Center. He had been driving a vehicle that was plowed into by a motorist that tested far above the legal limit.

His identity was quickly confirmed by the I.D in his wallet which revealed that he was a local resident and an employee of the Capsule Corporation. Julie's eyes narrowed and a frown lit her countenance as the very name of the famed company made her stomach churn…..

…

Senior High School:*

Julie Handers quickly ran a brush through her chestnut hair and checked over her smart red jacket and matching skirt. Red was the color of confidence and she was confident that she'd win the coveted Dr. Natashio Award which was given to the best and brightest science student in the senior class. Julie's brown eyes sparkled as she fairly skipped down the stairs on her way to the Science Wing. Julie almost felt a little sad for her competition…..almost. She'd seriously buckled down this year to surpass her rival for academic glory. There's no way she'd go home empty-handed this time!

Julie sighed in impatience as the Science Award Ceremony dragged on. At last graying Professor Gregnor cleared his throat and pushed his thick-framed glasses back as he stood to hand out the last and most important award. The young dark-haired genius eagerly listened for her name to be called.

"I am proud to announce this year's winner of the Dr. Natashio Award…Bulma Brief!"

The acrid taste of bile rose up in Julie's throat and her hands whitened as she literally dug her nails into her fists in anger. A slim blue-haired figure in a designer mini-dress made a regal ascent to the auditorium stage to accept the award named for the renowned scientist that was an alumni of this very establishment.

It had happened again! Every time Julie thought an award or reward for spectacular academic achievement was within her grasp it would fall into Bulma Brief's manicured hands. Somehow, she was always just one step ahead.

In her first two years of high school, Julie Handers had been the recipient of numerous honors and awards for her sheer brilliance in the field of biomechanics. She was certain that she'd remain the most successful student of her class and looked forward to attending medical school on a full scholarship. Then an over privileged heiress stepped into her spotlight.

Why was this Bulma Brief even attending Senior High? She'd skipped middle school sailing right into the Junior class with a staggering load of AP classes. The bluenette wasn't at all overwhelmed by her daunting schedule, she handled the most difficult courses with ease and delighted even the most obnoxious instructors. Her brilliance was lauded by her father the famous Dr Brief who laughingly commented that his daughter had no true intellectual need to attend high school; he just hated to 'deprive her of the experience'.

DEPRIVE?! As if Bulma Brief would have an inkling of what it was to be deprived with the massive fortune her family enjoyed. The darling of Capsule Corporation was pretty, rich, smart and immensely popular. Being a standout in academia wasn't enough of course for the overachieving thorn in Julie's side. Bulma was captain of the varsity cheerleading squad and Senior Class President.

Beneath the glittering decorations in the gym, a glowering Julie had stood in her simple pink taffeta prom dress as the Prom Queen was announced. She never doubted for a moment as to who the winner would be. The bitter teenager snorted in disgust as Bulma Brief seemed to float along the floor in a resplendent silver gown that probably cost more than the salaries her working-class parents made in a year's time. Watching the bubbly blue-haired beauty claim her crown only intensified the distain Julie felt.

Storming out of the auditorium, Julie headed for Professor Gregnor's classroom. She had been certain that she would be the recipient of the Dr. Natashio Award and she wasn't going to give up on it without a fight! Her brown eyes blazing with self-righteous anger, the furious student awaited the professor's arrival.

The professor smiled as he entered the room and greeted one of his favorite students warmly. The smile quickly faded as he took in Julie's demeanor. Her arms were crossed tightly across her chest and the grimace that darkened her expression made her displeasure known.

"Why wasn't I selected for the Dr. Natashio Award?" Julie demanded in a voice of pure ice.

"Now Julie, the Science Department reviewed each student's academic record and projects… and well… Bulma managed to surpass you by just the barest of margins."

"You mean scarcely any effort on her part right? I probably wouldn't have been made captain of the debate team if Bulma hadn't had the flu that week!" the irate young scholar fumed.

"I'm sure you were chosen based on your own merit," Professor Gregnor insisted.

"Maybe there's another reason I didn't achieve my just due," the brunette pressed.

The head of the Science Department frowned," I'm not sure what you mean by…."

"The very generous donation by Dr. Brief to the Science Wing wouldn't have weighed in Bulma's favor now would it?" Julie interrupted.

"Miss Handers! I'm appalled that you would even consider questioning the integrity of this department! Our decisions were made on the merit of our students alone, I'm going to overlook your brash assumption due to you being one of our finest students. If I hear any more of this as much as it pains me I'll be forced to take action. Good day, Miss Handers!"…

….

West City Hospital/Present Day:

Dr. Handers sighed as the bitter memories faded. She glanced at the name on the medical chart in her hands. A strangled gasp emitted from the medical genius. The name listed was Trunks Brief. Next of kin: Bulma Brief! Julie sucked in her breath as the rest of the chart became a blur. Then a cruel smile lit her face, it was time for some long overdue payback….

….

*-I know, weird name for a high school but that's what Akira Toriyama named Bulma's high school.

...

Until the next chapter!

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