Okay, on the probable risk of being flamed, I will go out on a limb and say that I like the possibilities of a Trunks/Marron pairing, so I wanted to write about them since there are so many Trunks/Pan fanfics out there, and since the writers gave us so little airtime for both Bra and Marron. There could have been so many possibilities, but oh well. I hope you will respect my opinion, as I certainly respect yours. This story takes place 3 years before where Dragonball GT starts off. Please forgive any glaring errors or if anyone in the story says or does anything OOC. I will now get down in my bunker, with my flame retardant suit. Oh yes, and many thanks to those who responded to my other stories. You know who you are. ^_^
Disclaimer: Dragonball is not mine, nor will it ever be. It belongs to Akira Toriyama and all those other Japanese animation companies, whose names escape me for the moment.
The Way We Were
Part 1: Just Like Old Times
"Aw Mom, do I really have to go this party tonight? I'm really not in a partying mood," Trunks whined, as he loosened his constricting tie and plopped into his favorite chair. He had just finished another grueling day at Capsule Corporation (CC), and just wanted to relax.
Bulma reached over and pulled her twenty-five year old son by the ear, and out of his seat, then proceeded to drag him towards the door.
"Don't give me any of your lip, young man. Tonight is very important to Krillen, and you are NOT going to ruin it by not showing up. Besides, you know that he and Juuhachigou (18) are expecting us."
"But, Mom!" he protested.
"No 'buts'," she replied firmly, tugging on his ear even harder.
"Ouch! All right, all right I'll go!" he yelped in pain. Bulma released him immediately.
"I still don't see why I should go. I haven't even seen Marron in seven years."
"And whose fault is that?" she retorted. "You could've visited her, you know. The poor girl is left alone on that secluded island with that pervert Roshi around all the time. It can't be good for her. And besides, it's not every day that a girl turns twenty." (Note: I believe in Japanese culture, it is an important occasion when one turns 20. I think it signifies reaching adulthood.)
"Yeah, I guess," he replied reluctantly.
Trunks fondly remembered getting totally wasted at his own twentieth birthday party, and paying for it the next day with a humongous hangover. His mother sure knew how to lay a guilt trip.
It wasn't that he hated Marron or anything. In fact, she was probably the shyest, sweetest little girl he had ever met. When they were kids, she often followed him and Goten around like a shadow. Over the years, they more or less, lost touch with each other. He just didn't know her well enough to feel comfortable around her after all the time that they were apart.
"Is Goten coming too?"
"Of course. Now hurry up and change or we'll be late. That goes for you too Vegeta," she said to her brooding husband who was leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed. He had been enjoying watching his son attempting to get out of going to the party, but now was trying to back out of it himself.
"Do I have to go?" he whined.
Bulma sighed in exasperation. Like father, like son.
By the time the Briefs family reached Kame House, the party had already gotten into full swing. Goku and Ubuu surprised everyone by showing up for the special occasion, taking a break from their intensive training. Ubuu was now a strong and sturdy young man of seventeen and looking well, whereas Goku looked liked he hadn't aged at all. Trunks and Goten hooked up while Bra and Pan went off by themselves. Both Trunks and Goten immediately headed towards the food only to find that Goku and Vegeta had already beaten the two younger demi-saiyajins. It was a good thing that there was enough food to feed the whole Red Ribbon army.
"So have you seen the birthday girl yet?" Trunks asked.
"Nope, not yet," Goten replied, happily stuffing his face.
"Man, I feel funny coming here. Marron's probably forgotten all about us."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I told my mother the same thing."
"You'd think they were trying to marry us off or something."
"Shhh! Don't even say the "M" word. Mom's been after me to settle down, but I always manage to change the subject whenever she brings it up."
Goten shuddered involuntarily at the thought.
"You think you have it bad. It's worse with my mom. She wants me to think of the future of Capsule Corps. Every time she mentions grandchildren, I get the hives."
Goten chuckled at his friend sympathetically.
"Well, I don't think you have to worry about that tonight. I mean, Marron is probably the last person you'd even consider dating."
"It's not nice to talk about me behind my back boys," a female voice came from behind them.
Trunks and Goten turned around and nearly dropped their food. Their jaws hung wide open in shock.
"Marron? Is that really you?" Trunks asked, completely flabbergasted.
He had been expecting an adult version of the little blond girl in ponytails, not the stunning young woman who stood before him. She had pulled her blonde hair back into an elegant bun, accentuating her heart-shaped face, and was wearing a pale rose colored sleeveless party dress that was held together by two spaghetti straps. The dress brought out the color of her baby blue eyes nicely. There was a sparkle in her eyes as she smiled at them warmly.
"Hello Goten. Hello Trunks. I'm so glad you could make it tonight."
"Wow! What happened to you Marron? You look really nice, not like what I remembered," Goten replied.
Trunks elbowed his friend in the ribs, for being so blunt.
Marron giggled good-naturedly.
"I'm sorry Marron," Goten apologized contritely.
"That's okay. I knew what you meant."
"What happened to the ponytails?"
"Temporarily gone for tonight. I thought I'd try something different. What do you think? Do you like the new look?"
"I…uh…well, I…" Trunks stammered, lost for words.
"I'll take that as a yes," Marron replied teasingly. "Papa and Mama really went all out tonight for the party, didn't they? Everyone's here."
"They sure did. It's not every day their daughter turns twenty."
Marron put a hand to her cheek, blushing slightly, not accustomed to getting so much attention.
"I feel so old now."
"Hey! What does that make me then?" Trunks protested.
"Ancient," Goten added impishly.
That unsolicited remark earned him another elbow to the ribs in retribution.
"I was only joking Trunks."
"Keep it up 'joke-boy', and you can find yourself another sparring partner."
"What's the matter? Can't you take a joke?"
"Sure, I can. I'm with you, aren't I?"
Marron laughed at their antics. It was so good to see them again. Just like old times.
"You two haven't changed a bit."
"Marron-chan! Over here!" Bra and Pan beckoned her from across the room.
She waved in acknowledgement to her younger friends.
"Would you both excuse me?"
"Of course."
"I'll see you later, okay? Enjoy the party."
They both stared after, still in shock over the fact that Marron had grown up into a lovely young woman.
"If you stared any harder Trunks, you'd bore a hole through the wall," Goten said out loud, making Trunks snap out of his dazed state.
"I wasn't staring," he replied defensively.
Goten gave him a skeptical stare.
"Sure, you weren't. Admit it, buddy. You weren't expecting Marron to look that way."
"Neither were you," Trunks countered back.
"Hey, I admit it. Why don't you go over and talk to her?"
"I can't do that."
"Why not? She obviously hasn't forgot about you."
"Come on Goten, what am I going to say to her after all this time? It's too awkward."
"Well, for starters, how about 'Hello'?"
"Will you be serious?" Trunks replied irritably.
"It's your life. But don't forget that you're not the only one around here that's staring at her," Goten pointed out.
For the rest of the evening, he had kept a wary distance away from Marron, but always stayed within earshot. Trunks smiled to himself, as he reminisced the days of their youth. When did the little girl that he remembered, grow up?
There was one occasion where their respective families had gone out on a picnic for the cherry blossom festival, leaving the kids to run rampant among the woods. He had been ten, while Marron was five. She had tried her best to keep up with Goten and Trunks, wanting to be included too, but her tiny legs couldn't keep up with them, especially since they had the unfair advantage of flying.
Soon enough, she had gotten lost in the deepest part of the forest. When Trunks finally found her, she was crouched up against the hollow base of a tree, fast asleep. When he woke her up, Marron lifted her tear-stained little face up and catapulted into his arms, happy to see a familiar face again. He had put her on top of his shoulders and carried her back to her parents.
"Trunks?"
"Yes?"
"You'll always be my friend, won't you?" she had asked shyly.
"Of course."
Some friend he had been.
But the night was still young. Maybe it wasn't too late to make amends.
Marron discretely looked over to where Trunks was standing, not wanting to appear anxious. He was talking with Ubuu . She felt a little disappointed that he had barely spoken to her all night. He had been avoiding her like some sort of plague.
She had been hoping that they would pick up where they left off, before he went off to college and began working at Capsule Corps. Ever since then, they had drifted further and further apart until they were no more than mere acquaintances now, rather than friends. It was naïve to think that things wouldn't change, but she still hoped. Marron couldn't really expect Trunks to stay the same. It wouldn't be fair to him. After all, he was in the working world now with his own set of friends and acquaintances, while she was left mostly to herself on the island. The fact that he was here at all, was a surprise to her.
Marron accepted the situation, with a sigh of resignation.
Goten came up behind her and tapped her on top of her head, playfully.
"Hey, why so glum birthday girl?"
She smiled at him warmly.
"Oh nothing. I was just thinking, that's all."
"Life's too short to be doing that. We really should start visiting you more often."
Marron punched his arm playfully.
"Yeah, you should. I thought you forgot all about me."
He looked at her rather sheepishly.
"Who me? Never. I've just been busy that's all."
"Probably busy with the harem he keeps in that little black book of his," she thought to herself.
"Busy doing what?" she inferred suspiciously.
Goten got an embarrassed look on his face. (see giant sweat drop)
She decided to let him off the hook.
"You know, I do believe there's still some cake left. You better hurry before your father finishes it off."
He immediately shot off, leaving a cloud of smoke behind. Some things never change. At least Goten was still the same happy go-lucky guy, just like his dad. She just wished that she could have said the same thing about Trunks.
Marron stepped outside to get a breath of fresh air. The stars twinkled brightly against the velvet black sky as she stared up into the night. When she was a little girl, she used to look up at all the stars and make a wish. Marron closed her eyes and inhaled the heady scent of the cool salty sea breeze, as it gently brushed against her face. She reveled in the quiet peaceful surroundings of the seashore.
"A penny for your thoughts," a voice came from behind.
She whipped around was surprised to find Trunks leaning against the wall with his arms folded.
"Is that all they're worth?"
"How about a nickel?"
"How long were you standing there?"
He walked over to her.
"Long enough." He was pensive for a moment. "It's been a long time Marron," he replied quietly.
"Seven years to be exact. The last time we saw each other was at the Tenkaichi Boudukai when Goku and Ubuu were fighting each other."
"You've grown up a lot since then…and in all the right places, I might add," he added cheekily.
"Ecchi (pervert)," she replied teasingly. "Did you think that I wouldn't?"
"To be honest, I didn't know what to expect."
"Is that why you've been avoiding me all night?" she asked perceptively.
Trunks looked at her in surprise.
"You knew?"
"Mmm hmm. But I can't blame you for feeling the way you do. After all, you're running CC now. I don't expect the president and CEO to have much time for anything else, let alone for me."
Marron tried not to sound hurt, but her voice betrayed her emotions.
Trunks suddenly felt a stab of guilt. Sure, he was the president, but that hadn't stopped him from sneaking out on a regular basis to avoid his duties, whenever it suited him. Being tied down was not for him. He needed to be free like the wind; a loose cannon without any duties or obligations.
"That's still no excuse. I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I think that my Mom was right."
Somewhere in the house, Bulma sneezed.
"Someone must be talking about me," she muttered to herself.
"Its okay Trunks, really it is. I understand."
He suddenly became very irritated. He was always surrounded by so called 'yes-men' who only told him what they thought he wanted to hear. After spending a particularly rough day, he was particularly on edge. He had wanted an honest answer out of Marron, not something that she thought would make him feel better.
"Would you stop being so agreeable?" he responded testily. "It really grates on my nerves."
Her blue eyes reflected confusion as she stared at him, searching for a reason for his outburst.
The minute he uttered those words, he immediately regretted his actions.
"Way to go Trunks," he berated himself quietly. He succeeded in making her feel worse that she already did. This wasn't going the way he had planned it.
"I'm sorry Marron. I don't know what came over me. It's been a long day for me. I didn't mean to take out on you," he replied apologetically.
She looked at him pensively for a moment.
"It can't be very easy for you at work, can it?"
He stared at her with a puzzled look on his face. How could she have known how he felt?
"It's hell sometimes," he admitted. He looked at her ruefully. "I guess I ruined your birthday didn't I?"
"I'll let you in on a little secret. I really wasn't having that much fun anyway."
"Really?"
"You know what I miss the most?"
"Let me guess. One of my famous practical jokes?"
Suddenly, the door burst open as Goten and Goku ran for dear life with Vegeta following close behind. They heard Vegeta yelling from inside the house, who was being held back by Bulma.
"Curse you Kakarott! I'll get you and that brat of yours if it's the last thing I ever do!"
Vegeta was covered from head to toe with frosting from the birthday cake as the result of a practical joke.
Marron and Trunks burst out laughing hysterically.
"I think Goten already beat me to it."
"No wonder he wanted that piece of cake so badly," she replied, after catching her breath. She hadn't laughed so hard in ages.
Trunks looked at her thoughtfully. She looks so pretty when she smiles.
"What is it Trunks? Do I have something on my face?" Marron asked.
"No, I almost forgot to give you your present."
He took out a small box from his pocket and placed it in the palm of her hand. It was a good thing that the jewelry store happened to still be open.
"I…I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything. Just open it."
She opened the velvet box and held up a gold tennis bracelet with the letter M engraved on one of the dangling charms.
"It's beautiful! Thank you," she replied breathlessly.
"You're welcome."
"Trunks! Where are you?!" Bulma yelled. "I need your help to keep your father from killing Goku."
"You'd better go help your Mom. I don't think she can hold back Vegeta much longer."
"I think you're right."
He hesitated slightly, before folding Marron into his arms, giving her a brief (no pun intended), but warm hug.
"Happy birthday Marron."
Marron just stared after him, surprised at his display of affection.
"What just happened here?" she asked aloud to herself.
End of Part 1 (To Be Continued)
Written by Babboo
3/24/01