Chapter 2 Enjoy!
disclaimer: see ch 1
"Sigh" there was sheer pleasure written all over Videl's face. The open road always seemed so therapeutic to her. Wispy clouds hung high over the snow capped mountains in the east, while two giant pterodactyls flew in from the north clutching an ample supply of logs to help shield their nest from the cold (just like goku showed them). All along the left side of the road stretching for about three miles was a frosted kumquat orchard where the little orange fruits sparkled like gems reflecting the midday sun. "Mmmm maybe I'll make some pork with kumquat marmalade for dinner tonight…" she thought out loud. She then leaned her seat back and put the car in autopilot mode so she could admire the scenery more closely, without the worry of veering off into a ditch. She really didn't feel like having to buy a new hover car. That was her only concern in regards to paying attention behind the wheel. Seeing as there was no one else ever on this stretch of road besides the Son families, endangering someone's life in a crash wasn't an issue.
The quaint bliss came to an abrupt halt when she suddenly realized something didn't feel quite right. It was quiet…too quiet. While on most trips, Pan would either be complaining about the longevity or yapping away excitedly, she was doing neither, and this struck Videl as very odd. Although she really was enjoying the serenity the countryside offers on such car rides, her daughters silence worried her. The only time Pan was ever silent was when she was asleep.
Taking a quick glance over at the passengers seat Videl could see that Pan did indeed appear to be sleeping, with her head resting against the window and eyelids tightly shut. Only problem with this scene, was that it didn't fool Videl for a second!
"Well, seeing as you're NOT asleep, why the silence?"
"..huh? ….wha happened?" she yawned with a feigned grogginess.
"You can't fool me Panny, so you can cut the act." Videl chuckled, at her daughter's awful attempt at acting.
"What makes you think I wasn't sleeping?" she queried while rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand, desperately trying to keep up the charade.
"I'm no saiyan, but I've done enough fighting in my day to know whether someone, especially my own flesh and blood, is unconscious or not." Videl smirked with an uncharacteristically arrogant flick of her hair.
Pan giggled at her mom's wit but wouldn't cave in. "I was TO unconscious and still am!" With an obnoxiously loud yawn and stretch of her arms, she pulled her feet up, curled into a little ball, and shut her eyes tightly once again.
"Oh so you're asleep are you?" she chuckled, "So then you won't want any of this extra delicious— aw never mind. There's no point in describing how incredible this is to an unconscious little girl." Videl just knew this would get a reaction.
Pan visibly twitched in frustration at being called a little girl, but over the years had gotten use to it. Plus, she was just too stubborn to give up that easily.
'I can't let her get to me that easily.' she convinced herself, 'although… what is this extra delicious food she speaks of.'
"Mmmmmm this is soooo tasty!" Videl chewed loudly, "It's the most delicious STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE I've ever had--"
And with that, it was all over! Pan jumped straight out of her seat and at her mother.
"GIMME! GIMME! GIMME!"
"Uh uh sleeping people can't eat! They'll choke!" Videl taunted with a laugh
Pan was stretched out swinging her arms wildly trying to get at the sweet cake while Videl gave her all to restrain her with the classic outstretched arm with the palm to the head move.
"Give it!"
"I don't think so."
"Give it now!"
"Uh uh."
"C'mon you know you can't finish it yourself!"
"Your right…"
"So I can have it?!!!"
"……no hahahahha"
"MOM!"
"PAN!"
"Gimme Gimme Gimme"
"Gimme' got hit by a bus. Ask nicely."
"Arghhhh! You can't keep food from a saiyan, especially since I'm your child. That's like the saiyan form of child abuse!"
It was quite a sight to see, and it went on like this until Videl got tired and relented.
"Ha ha haha ha alright sweetie here you go" she chuckled wiping away some tears.
"Thank You!" Pan said snatching it; and swiftly plopped back down in her seat with a huff. In half an instant, the cake was gone.
"Mmm that was good!"
"Honestly, how could you tell? I didn't even see you chew."
"I did! It was just really fast" Pan replied sticking her tongue out jestingly, "By the way, where did you all of a sudden pull out a piece of cake from?"
"Driver's side glove compartment"
"Why?" she puzzled
"I need it for your father"
"….?" Pan thought for a second, "I don't even wanna know."
They were almost into Satan City when Pan began thinking about their destination. 'Dang, we're here already, now what. I can't tell her we just wasted time and gas (a/n if they use that) for nothing. Or maybe I can tell her, but then convince her to--'
"All these years and you still think I can't tell when you're up to something?" Videl smirked. Pan's face instantly went from conniving to disappointed. "You're no fun" she pouted. 'Oh well, mind as well tell her now.' "Guess what Mom"
"What"
"I got a job!" she remarked. Pan then waited for the shocked 'Oh' expression to appear on her mother's face. 'Wait for it…wait for it' she thought, 'Nothing?!' "Hey what gives? You're not the least shocked, surprised, ...something?"
"Why would I be? " Videl simply stated.
"What? What do you mean, 'why would I be'? Why wouldn't you be?!?" Pan was thoroughly confused now. This wasn't making any sense. "Did you know I'd get a job before we left the house??? And if so, why are we going to the city for nothing?"
"Not for nothing" she replied pulling into a parking space, "To go shopping of course, now let's go" she smiled brightly.
"WHAT? NO! I don't need any clothes, I have plenty! Please Mom no!"
"Pan honey, it's not that serious. I'm just helping you pick out some clothes for your new job, that's it. I'm not trying to make you over or anything."
"Oh….well wait!! You still never answered that! How did you know I would have a job basically before I did?!"
"Your friend Bra is quite the lil schemer" Videl chuckled. Pan's face was priceless. No words could ever do it justice.
'I'm going to get Bra for this. I'm going to get her good' Pan schemed as she walked through the entrance of the mall with her mother. The first store they came upon was NewYork&Co. 'Oh, so this must be the place Bra is always raving about. I really don't see what's so great about it. It seems kind of out of place between the shops Kimono mono and Kawaii. The latter of which I will never step foot in, except maybe for a dare or a favor, but definitely not voluntarily or outta my own freewill.' Not really paying attention to where she was walking whilst pondering the nuances of the mall, Pan wandered out of NY&Co and eventually onto an escalator. About five minutes later, half way across the mall and two stories up stood Son Pan, the latest victim of mindless wandering-it is.
'I wonder if Mom's got some clothes picked out yet?' she thought while swiveling her head to locate her mother.
"And… I am no longer in a clothing store" she concluded out loud, smacking her lips in irritation. "Although, this isn't such a bad place to be" she smiled. Pan found herself standing smack dab in the middle of the food court. 'That 1/4th never ceases to amaze me' she smirked, 'oh well, since I'm here I mind as well get some grub.' With that, she sauntered over to the line of food stands. 'Wow, they've really switched stuff up since the last time I've been here. I've heard of that American fast-food restaurant Taco Bell, but I've never seen it around here. I guess they're trying it out in the mall before moving it to the streets.'
GROWWLL!!! Rumble rumble rumble
Everyone started staring in Pan's direction, she being the source of the loud reverberation and all. "Well," she stated as her cheeks tinted pink while wiping her mouth, "If my salivating mouth and uh 'growling' stomach are any indication, I guess I hurry and get some food." She quickly scanned the stands, and after carefully weighing her options, decided on two orders of curry beef, twelve shrimp kabobs, a thing of chicken lo mein, one burger, three tacos and a large fry. Excited at the prospect of eating, she paid the dumbfounded (if not a little grossed out) cashier, and then all but ran to the closest table to begin chowing down.
Gobble munch munch slurp chomp chomp chomp crunch gobble munch mun--
"You…Are...Amazing…" breathed an awed voice from across the table.
Startled, Pan looked up with a lo mein filled mouth, noodles hanging and eyebrows raised inquisitively (like goku has done many times before). "Eshcooge meh?" she mumbled through the pound of food. "I'm sor--" the stranger tried to explain.
But, not really needing or waiting for a reply she grabbed a fork full of curry with her right hand, a taco with the left, and continued to shovel food in her mouth at a rapid pace again.
"Or not" they puzzled "I'll just wait 'til you're done if that's okay" they questioned with an air of disbelief. A grunt and a hand wave, that flicked a little taco sauce across the table, was all they got in reply. "Well…alright, I uhmm… yeh, I'll just wait" they quickly finished. Leaning back in their chair and propping their legs in the adjacent one, the table's other occupant patiently waited in silent wonder to meet this astounding, if not a little rude, human garbage disposal. While eating, Pan could feel eyes burning through her. Moving only her eyes away from what was left of her midday 'snack', she glared at the person across the table hoping to intimidate them out of the eye assault.
"Oh, so it's a staring match you want!" they smirked. Leaning forward on the table with crossed arms, they squinted their eyes intensifying the glare.
"Grrrrrr" causing sputters of chewing burger to fall from her lips. The stranger's glare only intensified with a glint of humor.
"Dijjn't yorf movther keach you nok koo schare!"
"Didn't your mother teach you not to speak with your mouth full?" laughed the accused
Pan swallowed the last of her meal, and extended her hand giving an amused a smirk.
"Touché…I'm Pan."
"And I'm… not going to shake your hand" the un-introduced laughed.
"Oh" she remarked upon inspection of her sauce covered hand; and her cheeks went pink for the second time that day.
"The names Tetsuo though, glad to have made your acquaintance. Now, if I may ask a few questions?"
"Like what?"
"Like, where the hell does all that food go! I mean, not that I was checking you out or anything, but anyone who ate that much food would be big as a hippo!"
"Big as a hippo?"
"Yeh, what? They're big aren't they?" he said with confidence, eyes downcast as he cockily buffed his fingernails.
"Yeh, but it just sounds… weird. It's usually a house, an elephant, or--"
"I know, but I'm trying not to follow the norm. It gets boring." He winked while leaning back and placing his arms behind his head.
Pan giggled with a tilt of her head and hand to her mouth, at his originality, oblivious to his attempt at flirting. 'This guy seems pretty alright. I wonder if he likes fighting'
"So, you never answered my question," Tetsuo stated, "how does a trim, muscular, cute girl like yourself manage to consume so much?"
'Wasn't checking me out, my tail! I'm wearing a sweatshirt, you can't see my size unless you're trying to!' Pan laughed to herself. 'Yep, I may not have had a date in a while, but I've still got it.' She then took a moment to look him over. The first thing she noticed was his bronzed complexion and toned forearms since he had his sleeves rolled up. He had the oddest shade of green eyes, 'almost lime' she thought. But his hair! Oh his hair 'How did I not notice it?' she wondered dreamily as she subconsciously stared. It was a beautiful hue of navy blue, with natural royal highlights throughout. He had it pulled back in a low ponytail, that just barely hit his shoulder, but a few strands fell free and she just wanted to reach out and touch them.
"Uh, hello… Pan?"
"I work out a lot training" she answered quickly so as not to be caught staring. Tetsuo smirked at her obvious cover up. 'Damn it, he noticed! Please don't say anything! Please don't say anything! Please don't say anything!'
"Work out huh..."
whew she breathed in relief
"Are you a gymnast?"
"Hell No!" Pan screamed, and once again gaining the attention of the entire food court. Although this time she didn't take notice. She was too heated at being called anything other than a fighter. "I mean…no. There's nothing wrong with gymnasts or anything, I'm just…not. I'm a fighter and go to dojo's on the regular" she corrected upon seeing the shocked expression on Tetsuo's face at her outburst. He he he he she laughed nervously.
"Oh …alright, an avid martial artist I see" Tetsuo chuckled, "How long ya been studying?"
"Oh my WHOL--"
---Lost Without You, Can't Help Myself, How Does It Feel,---
"Oh that's my phone, sorry…" Pan said, cutting herself off.
---To Know That I Love Ya Bab—
"Hello?"…. "At the food court"… "Yes, at the mall, where else?"… "No"… "Someone I just met"… "A guy"…"I don't know"… "NO! we just met!" Pan shrieked turning tomato red. Tetsuo laughed at this and continued to watch the one sided conversation intently
…"No, I'll find you! You stay there!... "Alright, see you in a couple, bye" click
"Boyfriend?" Tetsuo inquired quirking an eyebrow. "No, mother" Pan replied with a sigh.
"Your mom's ringtone is 'Lost without You'?" he doubted
"Yes! I just happen to like Robin Thicke… I use that song for a lot of my calls" She sang confidently.
"Sure ya do" Tetsuo said sarcastically. "No really! Here, call my phone, I'll prove it" she said while grabbing his phone, which was conveniently sitting out on the table, to put in her number. "Here, call me" she said handing him back his phone. But before the phone got to his hands…
"Panny!" came a voice. 'A male voice? Who's that?' thought Pan. As the figure came closer, she could see it was her Uncle Goten. 'Whew ok, he's alright as long as he's not with—"Mom!" she squeaked as she saw her mom strolling along side of him. 'She will embarrass me and scare away another friend with her (as well as Grandma's) incessant talking of grandchildren'
"OK ITS BEEN NICE MEETING BUT I GOTTA GO NOW SO BYE!" Pan quickly shouted as she ran away from the table to go meet her mom and uncle before they could meet her company.
"ok …bye" Tetsuo whispered confused.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"…I DON'T WHY I INSTIGATE AND SAY WHAT I DON'T MEAN, I DON'T KNOW HOW I GOT THIS WAY, I KNOW IT'S NOT ALRIGHT, SO I'M BREAKING THE HABIT TONIGHT!!!!!"
"TRUNKS!!!! SHUT UP! BEFORE I BREAK THAT HABIT FOR YOU! Bra yelled from the staircase.
"…AND EVERY OTHER 'HABIT' IN YOUR BODY!!!" Vegeta added from behind Bra, startling her.He gave his daughter a smirk, and then continued on his way to the gravity room.
Trunks heard the threat, and decided not to test whether his dad was serious or not, and stopped singing. "I'm I really that bad?" he wondered out loud.
"Yes… you are." Bra clearly stated from his bedroom doorway. Trunks gave his sister an evil glare but then started to jump around his room and lip-sync on mute to the music like he was before he was so rudely interrupted. Even though he couldn't sing, watching her 32 year old brother jump around like a little kid was hilarious. Bra then ran up to his dancing form and gave him a huge bear hug. "I'm so glad you're back. I missed you so much!" she yelled over the music. Trunks, thoroughly confused, turned the music off and looked down at his sister. "What are you talking about? I haven't gone anywhere."
"Yes you did. It took you forever to come back. It wasn't until after the galaxy tour and shadow dragons that you came back, but you DID, and I'm glad!" she beamed.
"Bra, what are you talking about? That was almost three years ago. Besides, I was only gone that one year with the galaxy tour, after that I was here on earth with you."
"No, you don't get it do you?" Upon seeing his confused face, she decided to explain.
"I don't remember much before you took over the company, but I DO remember. And you use to always get in trouble, go on adventures, and generally love to have fun; but when you took over the company you changed. You weren't Trunks V. Briefs Saiyan prince, conniving fun-loving fighter. You were Mr. T. Briefs CEO of Capsule Corp, boring, work dodging slacker."
"Ow Bra" said Trunks giving a sarcastic hurt face.
"I'm serious Trunks! Things weren't the same without 'you'" she said with the most sincere look he had ever seen her give.
"Well, I'm glad to be back sis" he said looking down at her and ruffling her hair, knowing she hated that.
"Good!" Bra replied, "but if you ever 'leave' again, be forewarned, I'll take you up my threat from earlier" she declared in a malicious tone. She then turned and skipped out the room with a big cheese eating grin. "La la la lala…"
"Weird…"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxIt was Monday morning already, and Pan just knew this was not going to be her day. To start it off, she had to wake up early, which is never good. Then when she went to turn off that dream ending infernal racket known as her alarm clock, she came up empty handed extending her arm to the bedside table. Cracking open an eyelid ever so slightly, she could see it had been moved during the night to the desk across the room forcing her to get out the bed. "Meddling parents" she groaned. One step, two step, three step, FLOOR! Having got off the wrong side of the bed, she tripped over some cables that would otherwise be out of the way, ripped her favorite nightgown on a rogue nail, cutting her thigh in the process, then landed face first on the cold wooden floor, missing a pillow by an inch and a half. A single tear of self-pity escaped her still sleep laden eye as she moaned rubbing her soar face, "With a start this bad, could it possibly get any worse?"
"Oh Dende, please say no…"
Ok so that wasn't the greatest chapter either, but just hang in there, the story will get better soon, I promise...
Thanks for reading! and please review... i'd like to know what you think ...TUNE IN NEXT TIME FOR MORE JUST A DAY and the plot thickens!
