"Stolen Youth"

January 2003 Debs-dragon

Chapter 4

Pan gazed at her friend. "I guess Trunks doesn't want to see me." Her voice was tinged with sadness as well as something else... confusion?

Bra noted the reaction and decided it was time to do some digging. "I think I'm missing a vital piece of information here, Pan. Look, let's grab a drink and go sit outside then you can tell me all about what's going on."

Pan allowed herself to be dragged outside to the gazebo. Her mind was racing. Why had Trunks acted like that? As if he hated her. She desperately needed to have that talk with him, but first she had to deal with Bra and her curiosity.

Pressing a drink in to her best friend's hand Bra looked at Pan expectantly. "So come on... spill. Something happened while I was gone."

Pan sighed. "I don't know what has gotten into Trunks... honest. He's been fine up until now."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we have still hung out as a group and he's been his normal self. He got a little drunk at the party last night so maybe he's just suffering from a hangover," replied Pan hopefully. She knew she was grasping at straws in one way but she couldn't think of any other reason for Trunks' behaviour.

Bra pondered for a moment. "You could be right, but I would have expected him to have been a bit shorter with me then. I don't know, he seemed fine until you arrived and then, well, that look he gave you... It was as if he despised you."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Pan's voice saddened. "I don't understand it." Her mind went for a wander back to the previous night. Trunks had been so tender and loving in one way, completely seducing her and sweeping her off her feet. Then in another way he had been forceful and demanding. The pleas she had uttered for him to stop had gone unheeded. She knew one thing though... Trunks had wanted her. Bra interrupted her thoughts again.

"You sure you're telling me everything here Pan?"

Pan swallowed hard. "Well..."

"Ah! I knew there was more."

Pan decided to tell Bra about the party but leave out the intimate bit. "We all went outside for a bit. Trunks, Goten, Marron and myself. We thought the cool fresh air might clear the guy's heads a little. After a while Goten and Marron went back inside, Trunks and I went for a little walk. Ohh it was so sweet. He put his arms around me and he kissed me." Pan's eyes went all dreamy at the thought.

"That still doesn't explain why he should cut you dead though today."

"I know, I don't understand it either. You're his sister Bra, maybe you know why he always seems to have a different girlfriend each week."

"I don't really know Pan." Bra thought long and hard. Yes Trunks seemed to have a different girl all the time, but then again, with his looks he had girls always throwing themselves at him. She knew Trunks liked Pan, they had shared so much together over the years as they grew up, so why then the sudden change? Especially if it seemed they had finally made a step towards becoming more than friends. "I thought he was maybe just looking around and trying to find the right girl. I mean we both know how much you care for him and I do know he likes you so maybe he is just searching around first, trying to make sure that you are the one for him."

"I guess I follow what you are saying, but if he's supposed to like me then why the attitude?"

"I think a good long talk is called for here." Bra stood. "Come on, let's go find him and then you can sit down and find out just what's going on." Bra still had a feeling there was more to this than Pan was letting on but she opted to let it slide for the moment, she would find out later.

Reluctantly Pan followed Bra, knowing the only way to the bottom of this was to confront Trunks.

They found Trunks in his room listening to his stereo. Bra knocked and then entered. Trunks looked up from his recline on the bed and scowled when he saw Pan with Bra.

"Trunks I think you need to talk."

"Oh? And since when have you become my keeper?"

"Something's going on here between you and Pan and it's going to affect all of the gang. I don't know what it is that's caused you to become so short with Pan but whatever it is you two need to talk about it and sort it out." Bra stood with her hands on her hips as if daring him to argue with her. Much to her surprise Trunks didn't.

Running his hands through his locks he sighed. "Yeah I guess you're right."

Bra smiled. "Good. I'll leave you two alone for a bit then." Bra turned and gave Pan a reassuring smile before exiting and closing the door firmly behind her.

Pan looked around the room. She had been in here several times before, but this was the first time she had been alone with Trunks. The air literally crackled with the tension.

"So what do you want to talk about?" Trunks' voice cut the silence.

Pan stared at him before moving to sit in the small chair across from the bed. "I guess... I just want to know... What happened last night Trunks? What does this mean about us?... about our relationship? I mean, what happens now? Why are you treating me this way?" Pan couldn't stop the words as they flowed out in a jumble.

Trunks swallowed. This wasn't going to be easy. He levelled his gaze to meet hers and removed all emotion from his eyes before speaking. "I don't think I quite follow you, Pan. To start with, what relationship? I wasn't aware that we had one other than being friends. As for what happened last night I seem to recall you didn't exactly protest anything. I mean you were willing enough... too willing it seems." His eyes lowered as he saw the pain reflected in Pan's eyes, hating himself for being the one to cause it and yet unable to do anything to stop it.

Pan felt as if her world was crashing down around her ears. "I beg your pardon?" she whispered.

"You certainly didn't push me away or try to stop me. Look Pan, I know you like me, I know you wanted me, but I'm just not ready to settle down with anyone right now. I want to live a little and enjoy life before I finally settle down with one person. I intend to play the field, enjoy women before taking that last step. I have so many things I want to do and so many girls willing to be by my side, what makes you any different?" Warming to his task and oblivious of the pain he was causing, he continued. "I thought you may have been different from the others, that you could have been that special one for me but I know now that you aren't, you're just the same as all the rest."

Pan tried to choke back a sob. She wasn't like all the others, she wasn't! She knew he had girls throwing themselves at his feet all the time but she hadn't. They had all grown up together, she had waited patiently on the side lines until she felt the time was right. Dammit! She wasn't the one that had started last night's little 'incident'... he had! Yet here he was turning the whole thing around and pointing the blame back at her.

"You just couldn't wait to get into my pants. Don't look at me all shocked, Pan. I know your type, wait until I am not in full control of myself, and then you come on to me, try to take me for everything I am and have. Don't try to deny it either. I have been with enough women to know. Get into my pants, get me to screw you silly and then expect me to commit to a lifetime with you. Well it isn't going to work."

Pan finally found her voice and rage took over. She stood, drawing herself up to her full height she bit back the tears and looked him square in the eye. "Is that all? Good. Now let me tell you something. To start with I am not like all the other girls, I did not throw myself at your feet, I would never do anything so demeaning. Yes, I like you, I have been in love with you for quite some time now and I had hoped that maybe one day... one day you would see me and love me back. I don't care if you were rich or poor, never have. I wanted you for the person I thought you were, soft hearted, kind and gentle. Tell me Trunks, where did that person go? The one I thought was Trunks 'cause the person sitting before me sure as hell isn't him!" Pan paused for a moment.

Trunks stared wide eyed as Pan continued her tirade.

"As for last night. Hah! I thought I was doing the right thing, being a good and caring friend when I accompanied you outside. I let you take me and show me your special place as I thought it was something you wanted to share with me. Never did I dream it was all a ploy." She cocked her head, the anger running stronger now. "As for getting in your pants! Dream on buddy. I had no intention of letting you take me, but you did. It was you that instigated it all; if you can remember anything of last night then you will be aware that I asked you to stop, but you didn't. You were the one that seduced me Trunks... Do you hear me? YOU SEDUCED ME! And now you can't deal with that. Yes I can see right through you. You think I am about to make claims on you just because we had one night of passion. Well think again."

Trunks couldn't take anymore. He stood and moved swiftly across the room placing his hands upon Pan's shoulders and shaking the girl. "You were the one that wanted it," he hissed.

Pan was shocked. She couldn't hold the tears any longer and they burst forth to stream down her cheeks.

"That's right... turn on the water works. Well it isn't going to change my mind, Pan. You can think what you want but I'm not about to change my mind. I needed a form of release last night from all the teasing you have put me through and you sure as hell were willing enough, so don't try to trap me."

Pan jerked free of his restraining hands. Her face twisted with anger. "I thought you were a kind, compassionate person. Someone who cared about people. Obviously I was wrong. You're definitely your father's son, Trunks, a cold hearted, emotionless bastard. I'm glad I can see the real you. How on this earth I could have ever thought we could have had a life together is beyond me. Don't worry yourself any more, Trunks, I won't bother you ever again." Pan turned and ran from the room.

Trunks watched her go, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He went back and slumped on the bed cradling his head in his hands. "Oh kami, what have I done?"

~ oOo ~

Bra sat outside enjoying the sunshine while she left her brother and best friend to talk. She would give Goten a call later and see if he could shed any light on what else may have happened between her friend and brother. Sighing, she thought long and hard about Goten. His sweet charm, boyish looks and child like innocence all rolled into one extremely lovely package. She knew she shouldn't tease him the way she did but she couldn't help herself. It was fun. She was startled from her thoughts as the sound of running feet and sobbing came her way. She looked up as Pan burst out through the French doors and into the back garden.

"Pan?" she called confused.

Pan looked around wildly and spotted her friend. "Bra... Oh Bra... It was terrible. We got so angry at each other and said some things I think we will regret..."

"Why?" Bra went to hug her friend and comfort her, but Pan pulled away.

"I'm sorry Bra... I need to get away, I can't stay here. I have to think. I'm sorry." Pan looked at her friend through tear filled eyes and then turned. Pan levitated into the air and sped off leaving a very worried and confused Bra behind.

Bra watched her friend leave. Her heart was tearing with distress at seeing her friend so upset. Just what had gone on while she was away? What the hell had happened in Trunks' room? She had to find out if she intended to help her friend. She watched as Pan's form became a speck and then with a glance at Trunks' bedroom window she made up her mind and marched inside. She would get to the bottom of this come hell or high water.

~ oOo ~

Trunks sat on his bed cradling his head in his hands. Just where had the conversation taken a turn for the worst? His Saiya-jin side was congratulating him on being so firm and standing his ground, not allowing a woman to walk all over him. Why then did he have this empty feeling inside? He couldn't help but feel he had hurt Pan so deeply with his rejection and harsh words that she would never forgive him. He sighed and looked up as the door to his room was flung open and Bra stood there.

Bra pushed the door and stood inside the entrance to Trunks' room. Her eyes were blazing and turned directly on the figure on the bed. "Just what did you do to her, Trunks?" Bra demanded.

"But out Bra. It's none of your business," Trunks snapped.

"It becomes my business when my best friend runs off in tears and obviously upset."

"It's her own fault."

"How can you say that?"

"Look, Bra, if you really want to know your so called 'goody two shoes' friend threw herself at me last night and now she's acting as if we are engaged or something. I just gave her a few hard truths. I'm not about to be trapped by anyone, Pan or otherwise, so leave it alone!"

Bra stared at her brother, unable to comprehend what he was saying. She knew Pan well enough to know she had a crush on her brother... had done for some time, but Pan wasn't the type to try and trap Trunks. "I don't believe you," she stated simply.

"Huh? To be honest I really don't care, Bra. I have enough women fawning over me and trying to drag me to the altar without Pan adding herself to the list. She thought she could get me by offering her body to me. Oh, I'm sorry Bra, you didn't know she would do something like that?" Trunks' eyes narrowed and his voice dripped with sarcasm as the dark side of his nature took over with a vengeance. "Then let me tell you that Pan isn't the sweet innocent creature she would have you believe. Yes she let me know what she wanted all right and boy was she willing to give it all. Who am I to refuse? She offered and I took." He licked his lips. "And boy was she good."

*Whack*

The sound of the slap echoed through the room as Bra's open palm connected with his cheek "How dare you! Pan is my friend and I don't care what you are saying, it's all lies. Pan is not like that. I know her and I know she wouldn't throw herself at your feet. Grow up, Trunks." Bra spat the words at her brother before leaving.

Trunks brought his hand up to his burning cheek. The slap hadn't hurt, he was way to strong for anything like that to hurt him... physically that is. Emotionally however, the slap had torn his soul. The fact that his own sister had delivered it and her words that accompanied the slap were what hurt him. But his pride would not allow him to back down now.

Bra spun and left her brother to stew. Her mind was racing as she headed for her bedroom and her phone. She needed to talk to Pan, to try to sort this mess out somehow. She didn't want to believe the words Trunks had spoken. She didn't want to think that her best friend could possibly have stooped that low as to offer her body in an attempt to get what she wanted. But there was a single nagging doubt in the recess of her mind.

Picking up the phone she dialled the number and waited.

tbc...