Loud Silence ch.7

I'm sorry about not updating this for so long. There have been a lot of crazy things going on in my life, and I haven't been able to write.

The next few chapters will be fun.

~PanHopeNvs~


Dinner that night in the Great Hall seemed to be quite pleasant compared to the other meals Pan had shared with Trunks. He seemed to be more friendly towards her… but she constantly reminded herself that it was only because she was wearing girly clothes. She was playing a role. If she was herself then he wouldn't like her very much at all.

The King finished up his dinner and looked at Pan.

"Sometimes the Vegetan Royal Castle gets boring," he said, "I need to get out and have some fun once in a while. I feel too cooped up in here."

Pan nodded. She knew the feeling, "I understand. What do you suggest?"

"I overheard that there is going to be a fair in a nearby village of serfs," said the King, "Perhaps we could go there, and complete the challenge some other time?"

"You overheard? Aren't you the King? Shouldn't you know if there's a fair in one of your villages?" she frowned.

"The Kingdom of Vegeta is quite large, I cannot keep track of all events," he said defensively.

"I'm sure that you could have thought up a better excuse than that!" Pan smiled slightly, "But I will go with you anyway."

He grinned, "Great! See you tomorrow morning early."

Pan got up to leave the table, and couldn't help but think about how much going to the fair with King Trunks sounded like a date. She shook the thought from her head and focused on other things. Uub was going to have to claim his bragging rights soon.

The next morning Pan woke up early and did a short kata. She went over the little closet and rummaged around in it. She pulled out a soft green dress, that if she had known better, she would have noted that it was made of fine silk. She decided that she would be able to run swiftly in the dress, because of it's flowing skirt. Pan strapped a dagger to her leg again.

She brushed out her hair as Uub had told her to before, but she wore no jewelry aside from her pendant. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror and thought briefly about how far she had come, hoping her mission would be completed soon…

What if I do complete the mission? Once our countries are at peace, then what? What if I can't achieve peace? Pan decided she would put her questions and doubts away and display only pure confidence. Confidence was always intimidating. But would it work on King Trunks?


Up in heaven…

The window in the sky showed all.

"It's working!" said Bra happily, "I think my brother is softening up! He asked Pan to a fair!"

Goten smiled, "They seem to like each other."

"Yes! They make an adorable couple. But... I don't know…" Bra's face suddenly fell, "No matter how much their relationship deepens, it's all going to come crashing down when Trunks finds out who Pan really is."

"Yes. Trunks has a serious ego problem," said Goten nodding.

"That reminds me of someone else I know…" Bra pointed towards King Kai's castle, "Nothing we say or do is getting through to father. He won't even listen to Mother. I can't think of anything that would make him understand! Oh, Goten, why does everything have to be so hard?"

"I don't know Bra…" Goten stroked her hair lovingly, "We can only hope. Hope that we can rely on time."

"Yes," Bra closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "They say that time heals all wounds. I hope they're right."


Uub knocked on Pan's door, and it was answered almost immediately.

"Ohayo, Uub!" said Pan, "Look! I'm wearing girl clothes! And I chose them all by myself! Think I did a good job? King Trunks and I are going to the fair! A fair! It doesn't sound as fun as a jousting tournament, but I'm sure there will be some interesting things there. Do you think…"

Uub put up his hands, "One thing at a time please, you're talking too fast for my brain to register everything you're saying."

"Oh, sorry," Pan sweatdropped, and laughed nervously, "I guess I'm a little hyper this morning. You're probably not used to hyper princesses…"

Pan cleared her throat and straightened her posture, "Please come in, Uub. I trust you slept well? Is there anything you would like? Perhaps some tea and biscuits?"

"Actually, when you were hyper you reminded me of Bra," Uub laughed, "You're a great actress."

"Really?" Pan beamed, "Think I'm good enough to fool the king?"

"Yes," Uub grinned, "With some help from me of course!"

"You know, you shouldn't help me…" Pan frowned, "It's dangerous. You could be executed if caught!"

"Oh, well. I want to help you," Uub shrugged, "I don't care what it takes… If you succeed in your mission, there will be peace. I can hardly remember what peace feels like… Can you imagine it? Feeling safe enough to go to sleep without a sheathed dagger beneath your pillow?"

Pan bowed her head. She too, always went to sleep with a weapon close by. Never had she known peace.

"Well, Uub, I guess you can help me… because you probably would have even if I didn't give you permission to," Pan smiled.

"Of course," said Uub, "You did a fine job of picking your clothes. I hope you have fun with King Trunks today."

"Yes, me too. Thank you Uub," Pan sighed, "Do you think I might actually succeed at establishing peace?"

"Anything is possible," stated Uub wisely, "All you need is a little bit of hope. Believe in yourself princess. I believe in you."

And with that he bowed and left the room. Pan fingered the tiny pendant around her neck. Sounds like something my father would say, thought Pan in wonder. Daddy… Pan took a deep cleansing breath and decided to try and make the best of her time. What was that phrase I heard Bra use once? Carpe Diem… Seize the Day.

A few hours later, a knock sounded on Pan's door. She opened it and one of the king's men were standing there.

"Milady, King Trunks is ready to escort you to the fair. He will be waiting just outside the castle gates," the man said, then bowed.

"I'll be there in a second," said Pan, closing the door. Milady? Escort? I have a feeling this isn't going to be any ordinary day…

Pan opened the door and exited her room, full of anticipation… and foreboding.

When she exited the castle, sure enough, there was the King, waiting in a horse drawn carriage. It wasn't very sophisticated, it was black, with red velvet lining the seats, but Pan felt that if anything represented royalty, that carriage did. Taking a horse drawn carriage to a fair? That was something Pan never thought she'd be doing.

She approached the carriage and was even more surprised when a man opened the door for her. She decided that this must be the way royalty traveled. Wait… I was born into a royal family, how come I never traveled in a horse drawn carriage? I guess okaasan didn't want to spoil me…and I'm glad she didn't.

Pan stepped into the carriage, and sat down on the seat beside King Trunks.

"Good morning," he said.

Pan nodded, "Ohayo."

The King stiffened at that word. She wondered what was wrong. He did know Japanese didn't he? It was the language of his mother… and all of Vegeta and Chikyuu before King Vegeta had come to earth. After that, most people spoke in English, and a few in the saiya-jin dialect. No one had ever explained to Pan the reason why Japanese had become a dead language. She thought it was rather interesting.

From the faraway look on Trunks' face, Pan could tell it had something to do with King Vegeta. She sighed and turned away. All these secrets and lies. The carriage wheels started to roll, but Pan could not enjoy the sensation of driving completely. Whatever happened to trust? I don't think Trunks knows how to trust someone. His father probably never taught him. Maybe if I can cheer him up a little, he'll open up to me. I really do want him to trust me… but how can I expect him to trust me if I don't trust him?

Pan guiltily acknowledged the dagger strapped around her leg. She turned to look at the king, and decided that she could try to trust him… She didn't think he would try to harm her anyway. Not before he got what information he could out of her… if that was what he was really after.

The silence in the carriage was awkward. Pan desperately thought of something to say.

"Nice weather." Pan slapped herself mentally. Nice weather!

Trunks nodded and smiled but Pan saw that the smile was forced. It didn't reach his eyes. Oh, well. At least he's not being rude.

Pan fidgeted. How uncomfortable this is. The silence… Not trusting one another… it's worse than wearing dresses for a month. She gazed aimlessly out the window, hoping that they'd reach their destination soon. She would really like to have some fun with the King Trunks. Maybe then they could trust each other.

Glancing over at the King she sighed inwardly. How long were they going to be strangers?

King Trunks sat rigidly looking out the window. His arms crossed over his chest, his eyes cold, and his shoulders rising and falling ever so slightly with the rhythm of his breathing.

What is wrong with me? Trunks' face showed no emotion, not the slightest hint of a frown or smile, but his mind was afire with thought. He didn't dare glance over at Pan, because he couldn't take the chance that they'd make eye contact. Then one of them would have to speak. What would they talk about? The weather again? Or maybe he'd ask for those Chikyuu-jin secrets? No, thought Trunks, I don't want to have an argument with her today. If we talk one of us might say something to offend the other.

So I guess it's better not to say anything at all. That's the disadvantage of trying to get along with your enemy, I guess. Even though I'm not looking at her I can feel how close she is… but she's not close at all, really. We're so different, so far apart. She's my mortal enemy. Killed half of my castle guard. Ugh! Why can't I just let bygones be bygones? I mean, I admit it… I really want to get to know her. She's so different… like a precious jewel… a beautiful mystery waiting to be solved…

I'm thinking crazy. Crazy. If Father could see me now! I'm going to stop thinking about that Chikyuu-jin girl now. She's caused several headaches since she got here. It's better to be silent. This way neither of us can say something offensive, and the air stays clean between us, and she doesn't make my life hell. Silence is Golden, after all.

King Trunks suddenly turned to look at Pan. They made eye contact.

"So," he began, "What's your favourite colour?"

Pan grinned at him, and he smiled back sheepishly. The rest of the way they chatted lightly about trivial things like books or castle architecture, and whatever else popped into mind. When they arrived at the fair they were both relaxed and enjoying each other's company. Trunks couldn't wait to spend the day with Pan.

As she stepped out of the carriage, Pan let her eyes wander over the fair grounds. It looked interesting. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to look up at Trunks.

"Shall we explore?" he asked.

Pan smiled, "Sounds like fun."

They walked into the fair grounds, with Trunks marveling at how easily these people laughed. The air was filled with sounds of laughter and people in happy conversation. He looked over at Pan and he saw that something had caught her attention. A merchant selling weapons.

He looked for a second, the shiny metal having caught his attention as well, but then quickly looked away. He grabbed Pan by the shoulders and turned her to face him. She looked up at him surprised.

"Listen, I realized that there is something we have in common. We are both warriors," He sighed, "I want today to be a fun day. Meaning no fighting, no evil plotting, no testing the sharpness of weapons… lets just forget we're enemies. Just for today. Okay?"

"Yes, I'd like that," Pan suddenly remembered the dagger strapped to her leg. She looked up at him guiltily, "I guess I'll just get rid of my dagger then…"

"You've been carrying a dagger?" He sent her a hurt look, then smiled, "Well, I forgive you, because I've been carrying one around as well."

Pan laughed, "Well, lets not get rid of them, lets just promise not to use them on one another."

"Okay," Trunks smiled, "Well, lets go look for something to do!"

They walked around, but it didn't take long for Pan to catch the scent of food in the air. She grabbed Trunks' arm and led him to the source of the delicious aroma. The two stared at the food for a few seconds before Trunks fished out some gold coins. He bought most of the food and carried it over to a picnic table. (picnic tables in the middle ages? I've got a warped mind. ^_^)

"Eat up!" said Trunks, spreading out the food. Pan looked up at him with shining eyes and threw her arms around him, hugging him for a second, before sitting down and putting her saiya-jin stomach to work.

Trunks looked surprised for a second; people rarely showed any affection to him. No one ever had hugged him since… Since my mother and sister died. Trunks felt a pang of pain, but pushed it away and sat down across from Pan to eat before all the food was gone.

As they finished, Trunks looked up at her and thought, damn does she eat like a saiya-jin! He was about to ask her a question about her origin, but decided against it. He didn't want to wreck the fun they were having by bringing up their pasts.

Pan looked up smiling, "That was great! What do we do next?"

Trunks shrugged, "You decide."

Pan looked around the fair.

"Hmmmmmm…."


I FINISHED A CHAPTER! YAYYY! FINALLY! I CAN WRITE AGAIN! ::hugs everybody within a 10 mile radius::

Hope you're enjoying the story... be patient! The best is yet to come.

First Published 11/23/2001, Edited 06/10/2010