Title: I Saw the End
Author: Shoka-chan
Rating: Pg-13 (*shrugs* I guess)
E-mail: shokachan@aol.com
Authors notes: Now for my first piece of Dragonball fanfiction I'm really hoping everyone will be kind in their comments. If you don't like The Trunks & Pan pairing, then this is probably not the place for you—don't torture yourself (and me) by reading a fic you probably won't like. If you do like Trunks & Pan then I would love to hear from you! If you decide my fic sucks then I really would like to hear why, and if you like it I might be inspired to write the next chapter faster! I will tell you right now there will be little action in this fic. I realize that because it's DB I should probably incorporate some action into it, but you might as well know that this is first and foremost a romance fic…with some coming-to-terms stuff. I wanted to be different than most fics so the main thing is that Trunks and Pan never felt for each other in any way other than friendship, and—at the beginning of this fic—still don't. Don't worry though, the relationship will progress. Thanks for reading this!
***
Son Pan. That's what the nameplate on the door said. My name. My hand reached for the doorknob and I noticed it shake. Regardless, I gripped it, turned the knob, pushed, and looked into the room.
The lights were off, but the early morning light shone through the window in pale lines of yellow, brushing the desks and floor. Desks, I thought, shaking my head. I can't really believe it myself, that I'm a teacher. Like father like daughter, I suppose. I always liked little kids, but I'd never had a plan for life after high school.
I scanned the desks, each in a group of four, twenty desks in all. I had set up and planned for the year earlier, of course. I would be teaching twenty second-graders in a matter of minutes. I really had nothing to do until after the kids arrived, I had already prepared everything. I sat down in my comfy-roll chair and thought.
I thought back to when I was fourteen and stuck on that ship with Grandpa and Trunks, looking for the dragonballs, and wondered how I was led here. I had been a little stubborn when I was a kid—okay, maybe a lot. I had wanted to be just like dad and grandpa--strong, respected.
I laid my head down on my arms. I was a very young and unmarried second grade teacher, how was I supposed to get any respect? I remembered sitting down in the midst of hundreds of other teenagers—many smarter than me, I'll bet—and taking my high school entrance exams. I had just begun to realize that fighting didn't pay the bills. Sure, being Mr. Satan's granddaughter did, but I didn't want my life handed tome on a silver platter. Maybe I was being stupid.
I heard noise outside the door and lifted my head to see a mother practically dragging a little boy through my door, his Kool-Aid stained mouth giving off an ungodly rebel yell. Yup, I decided, I had definitely been stupid. Why hadn't I chosen to teach middle school?
At 8:20am the bell rang for class to begin, and I stared out at all the children from my five feet, one inch viewpoint. A boy stood up and walked over to me. His head almost came to my chin. I sighed. Oh yes, I thought, that's why I had chosen to teach this grade, every other kid either needed naptime or was taller than me.
"Yes?" I asked sweetly.
"I have to pee!" he responded urgently.
I should have done flower arrangements. It's a very respected art, you know.
***
I got home to my apartment, never wanting to see the alphabet or chalk again, and pushed the button next to the blinking light on my answering machine.
"Hello, Pan," said the feminine voice.
"Hello, Grandma," I answered the machine.
"I got invited to dinner at the Briefs' tonight, and I don't want to go alone, so come with me, okay? I would take Goten, but…you know how he is-unreachable. Anyway, call me back; I want to hear about your first day of work, too! Love you!"
*Beep*
Videl's voice took over the phone. "Hi dear, it's mom. Call me and tell me about your day when you get in."
*Beep*
"End of messages," came the automated voice. I sniffed.
"Gee, aren't I popular?" I muttered. I looked over at the plate of frozen chicken nuggets I was about to put in the oven, blinked, and snatched up the phone, dialing immediately.
"Hi grandma, it's me, Pan."
Pause
"Oh, it was great, grandma, the children are just great." Ehh…
Pause
"Yes, that's why I'm calling, I'd love to go with you."
Pause
"No, I'll come pick you up, it's easier."
Pause
"Okay, I'll see you in thirty minutes. Bye!"
Click
Hmm…I wonder what's for dinner at the Briefs' house?
***
I pulled up to the front of the huge house and got out of the car. Grandma and I walked to the front door and I let her ring the bell. I studied her profile out of the corner of my eye. She had aged well for someone who had lost her (same) husband numerous times. Poor grandma. If I feel this lonely without grandpa, than how does she feel? She turned towards me and caught me looking. I blinked and turned slightly red. She just smiled sadly and turned again as Bulma Briefs opened the door. Sometimes I think grandma can read my mind.
The two women embraced and began to chatter excitedly after Bulma had greeted me with a warm hug. I followed them into the living room. I scanned the room and noticed Bra sprawled out on the couch. I walked over and sat down beside her.
"Hey, Bra."
She smiled at me. "Hey, Pan. How was the first day?"
"Not bad. How was your day?"
She grinned wickedly. "Relaxing."
I growled playfully and punched her lightly. "You suck!"
"No, I'm perfect. Somehow I still can't imagine a group of little kids calling you Son-sensei while you teach them the alphabet," she said and laughed.
I grinned back. "They're second graders, they already know the alphabet."
"Whatever you say, Son-sensei."
I groaned. "So when do we eat, anyway? I'm starved!"
"Whenever 'nii-chan gets here."
"Trunks is coming?" I asked, a bit surprised.
She snorted. "He practically lives here. I swear, there is no reason for him to have that house of his, he sleeps here most of the time!" She sighed wistfully. "It would be nice to have this place to myself."
I laughed. "Why don't you get your own place?"
She thought for a moment. "I'd miss okaa-san and 'tou-san too much," she said seriously.
I nodded just as Trunks walked into the room, loosening his tie. At ten years older than me he looked my same age. Damn half-breed, ageing slower than me…
He threw his briefcase down on the ground and sank into a nearby easy chair. I looked around for grandma and Bulma but didn't see then. Hmm…they must have gone to the kitchen or something.
"Trunks no baka, we have a guest," Bra said.
He lifted his head and looked at me…for a long time. It was strange, really. Actually maybe time just slowed down…
"Oh, hey, Pan," he said, and turned back to the TV. And just like that the moment was over…but I didn't forget it. I glanced at him periodically, noticing his eyes following the movements on the TV, while the colors washed over his hair. His leg swung slightly back and forth over the arm or the chair. I pulled my eyes back to the TV screen. Out of the corner of my eye I saw his head turn slightly. He was looking at me. I lifted my head slightly higher to be sure I wasn't giving myself a double chin, or something like that.
"Dinner!" came Bulma's call. We all jumped up and practically trampled each other to get to the table.
I sat by grandma and Bra, and across from Trunks. I shoveled down food in a way that only those fortunate people with saiya-jinn blood can hope to achieve, as I listened to Bulma and Vegeta have a conversation that sounded more like a fight. Finally Bulma turned to me and smiled, ignoring her husband who looked characteristically pissed.
"So, Pan, how was your first day at work?"
Trunks lifted his head. "Pan started a new job?"
It was completely silent for a moment. I couldn't believe it! Did he even know what I had gone to college for? I must have been giving him a nasty look, because he looked at me strangely, a blush dusting his cheeks. I shook my head in annoyance and started to eat again without answering. The moment my fork made a clanging noise against my plate the chatter started again.
"What do you think your mother's been talking about for the last week, brat? She's not starting kindergarten, you know!" Vegeta berated his son.
"I forgot," Trunks mumbled at his plate.
"I don't see how, your mother hasn't shut up about it!" Vegeta made a face and did a whiny imitation of Bulma's voice. "Oh, goodness, our Panny-chan's all grown up and is starting work! When did I get so old? Bitch, Bitch, Bitch!"
"Vegeta!" growled Bulma, and everything was back to normal.
***
And that's what plants need to grow," I said to my class. "I want you to take out your science journals (which predictably consisted of a thin and presumably worn composition book) and copy the words I'm going to write on the board onto the next blank page. Please use your best handwriting!"
I began to write 'soil' on the board when a little girl, Kae, raised her hand.
"Yes?"
"Are you married?"
Major facefault here. Why do kids care so much about that? I'd been teaching for two months now and my students must have asked that at least seven times.
"No. Did you have a question about what you're supposed to do, Kae-chan?"
"Nope," she chirped and began to painstakingly copy the 'S' I had written on the board. I scanned the class. A little boy had his hand raised.
"Yes, Toru-chan?"
"Why aren't you married?"
It was gonna be a long day.
I left at three thirty, thankfully locking the classroom door behind me. When I reached my apartment I grabbed a green notice paper out of my mailbox and scanned it as I entered my apartment.
"Fumigation set for next Monday at eight am. Yippee," I muttered. "Stay out for three days! What the hell kind of poison is that? What the hell kind of bugs are these?" I shoved the notice in my back pocket. Well, great, I thought to myself, now I have to stay with mom and dad or grandma for three days! Just great! They live almost an hour away from the school! I'm gonna be so tired next week, I thought.
I sighed, resigned to my fate, and began to look through my cupboards for something to eat for dinner. Predictably, I found nothing. Not even one measly cup of instant ramen (which, I must confess, was what I had been hoping to find—who hasn't felt the pull of the instant meal—"just add water, ready in three minutes"). I grabbed my purse and trudged out the door, smoothing my orange shirt and khaki pants, and headed towards the grocery store.
I walked straight to the isle with instant ramen and held my basket up to the shelf, ready to sweep the entire stock of chicken flavor into it. I raised my eyes only to see pork!
"What the hell?" I really, really hate pork flavor. There wasn't even any beef or shrimp! I sighed and pushed the pork in anyway. Sleep (and laziness) before food, I always say.
I glanced outside at the darkening sky and then at my watch. 7:10; the line was long enough to keep me here until eight. I walked around the store, grabbing various items and throwing them into my basket to waste time. I was engrossed in reading the squeeze-E cheese label when I walked right into somebody, ramming them with my basket.
"Oh! Gosh, I'm so sorry! I just…" I trailed off as I looked into Trunks' grinning face.
"Is cheese that interesting?"
I tossed the bottle into my basket. "About as interesting as my life." I grumbled.
Trunks got a far away look in his eyes for a moment. "A lot more used to go on, especially for our families, didn't it?"
I laughed nostalgically. "Sure did. Sometimes I miss it." I glanced down into his basket and scowled. "You took all the chicken flavor ramen!" I exclaimed.
"Huh?'
"Here, trade me some," I urged. He peered into my stash.
"Not for pork."
I think I growled a little bit about then.
"Hey, what's that?" he asked, pointing at my hip.
I blinked, and then glanced down to see a tuft of lime-green paper sticking out of my rear pocket. "Nothin.'"
He reached forward and pulled it out, his fingers brushing my khaki clad thigh. He skimmed it and handed it back to me.
"Bugs?" he asked, his voice strangely choked.
I eyed him suspiciously. If he laughed I'll kill him, I thought. "I guess."
"So whom are you staying with?" he asked.
I shrugged. "Dunno. Maybe mom or grandma. I just wish they weren't so far away from work." I paused. "Hey, why are you buying instant Ramen anyway, Mr. Rich Kid?"
He shrugged. "I'm lazy." This time he paused then began uncertainly. "You know, I live even closer to the school than you. Why don't you just stay at my house?"
"Wow, you know where I work?" I asked sarcastically. I don't know why but I was still miffed about that night at dinner. He seemed to know what I was talking about, and blushed slightly.
"Sorry about that."
I shrugged, and then considered his suggestion. Why not? "If you don't mind I might just take you up on that offer."
"Sure, I'm not there most of the time anyway."
I laughed. "So Bra says." Suddenly I heard a familiar voice behind me.
"Mommy, mommy, that's my teacher!"
I looked up at Trunks. I'm sure I was sending a 'save me' message. He grinned and lifted an eyebrow, choosing to ignore it.
"Is that her husband?" the boy's mother asked, sounding interested.
Oh, God, no. Please be kind.
"Nope, she's not married!" I almost punched Trunks when he let a small laugh escape his lips.
"Shut up," I growled under my breath.
"Let's not bother her while she's talking, okay Toru?" the mother said. I breathed a sigh of relief as they moved down another isle. I looked up at Trunks.
"Shut up," I said as he opened his mouth. He shut it and grinned widely. "I'll be at your place Monday night. If you have a problem with that, call me."
Wanting to escape talking to Toru and his mother I shoved my basket onto a nearby shelf and got the hell out. Trunks' laughter followed me to the night air outside the store.
Needless to say I went without eating that night.