Chapter Ten: Meeting The Troups

"Aiko, you do NOT eat that!"

"Nuuuuuuuurrrrrrh!" was the exceedingly coherent reply.

Kanosaki's brow twitched, but, not willing to ruin her pefect image of calmness, despite how tempting, she halted its movements and smiled softly at her two year old nephew.

He promptly shoved their plan down his throat.

Kanosaki gawked, jaw meeting the ground, as he swallowed it whole and, unaffected by its largeness, began babbling and twisting his upper torso.

Was he burning off the calories?

Why was it that she came from such a weird family? He obviously got his eating habits from his mother.

'If I don't dissect him within the next fifteen minutes, then Grandma is going to dissect BOTH of us.'

She stared at him forlornly, eyeing her hands, before sighing exasperatedly.

"Oh well. Here it goes."

- - -

"When exactly are you going to send a ransom?"

"Who said you were kidnapped?" Kyuu retorted. "From what you've bragged about, you can kick my arse."

"Of course. You just have to remember I can pull a teary face and explain to my parent's that you've hurt me and done unmentionable things."

"...Why would they believe you?"

"I'm a good actor. Hmm, ha!" Pan threw her head back and grinned. "I wonder who'll tear you apart first! Dad is faster, but mum has her ways of being exponentially talented when she's pissed off. Or, will you get hit by a flying frying pan? Either way, you're gonna become well acquainted with it and my grandmother's curses."

Instead of being slightly intimidated, Kyuu merely chuckled softly. Pan merely arched a brow in amusement. She was quite glad he wasn't as scared as he had seemed before.

The guy needed to mellow out. Maybe this banter was what he needed? He was too work prone, like her father.

"Who would want to kidnap you?"

"Um, well..." Pan cupped her chin with one hand and pinched her brows together, projecting an expression of supreme concentration. "Random bank robbers, a shop assistant, a dog, a...cat," she grinned at this.He snorted, "and just your average everyday super evil nut jobs from outer space."

"AVERAGE super evil nut jobs?" he blinked.

Pan suddenly teleported behind him, and he yelped and stiffened when she patted him on the shoulder reassuringly.

"You get used to them after a while. Don't be surprised if we get attacked by a boar starfish from planet whatever within the next half hour."

- - -

"Pan!"

Trunks blanked, and then relief swelled in his chest when he noted that most of the buildings were still intact, save for the one which had been smacked by his own body, courtesy of Pan.

Speaking of the quarter breed...who was that strange man loitering by her side?

Seeing three pairs of intent eyes on him, Kyuu froze on the spot, the small hairs over his body prickling. Pan hid her laughter as she watched him bristle. It was obvious his cat traits did not abandon him in human form.

"Hey, calm down," she said, reaching up so she could rub under his chin gently. "You've got nothing to worry about. Well...not from Marron and Trunks anyway, seeing as Marron is a good girl and Trunks hasn't hit puberty, so there's no testosterone."

"What do you mean?! I've been through puberty! I've had all the-"

"We really don't want to know Trunks," Marron cut in kindly.

He made a pouting face, before folding his arms over his chest and walking towards the small group.

Bra, in the meantime, was regarding Pan suspiciously, as was Kyuu.

She gave him a gentle smile, which completely took him aback. Why the hell was she a bitch one minute and then a saint the other?

He swore she was really a younger, prettier, stronger Ariol in disguise.

'Aww shit, she's going to own me later for thinking that,' Kyuu inwardly grumbled, but wasn't too bothered, considering he was becoming pleasantly distracted by Pan's ministrations. Eventually he titled his head up to give her more access, and then purred.

His eyes slipped shut, and Pan's fingers stopped moving over his fur...skin even.

Bra, Marron and Trunks blinked, before the lavender headed boy let out a guffaw.

"What're you? A cat?"

Kyuu chose not to reply to that.

- - -

"Pan, spill!"

Said girl blinked, before she shook her head, giving Bra a weird look.

"Unless you're asking me to spill something on your head, I'm not interested."

Ignoring her words, Bra neared Pan, much to the girl's discomfort. She grabbed the girl's hands and stared right into her eyes. Pan felt sweat gathering at the base of her neck. And then to complete the picture, Marron popped out of nowhere.

"She wants to know if you kidnapped this boy in order to make Trunks jealous."

Pan gave both of them incredulous stares.

"You whackos," she giggled. "I just met him somewhere. And besides," her face curled into a harsh one and Marron and Bra flinched, "why would I make that jerk off jealous? No offense," she finished, looking at Bra.

The azure haired girl positively beamed.

"No problem. Your ears would bleed if you hear what I yell at him when he gets to the shower every morning before me."

"Right...urh, Pan..." Marron began steadily. "I'm pretty sure you understand the concept of not talking to strangers."

"I know, but considering I can kick all their arses without dirtying my hands I figure I'm exempt."

"Well, I suppose, but..."

"So why did you bring him here?" Bra interjected, unable to hold her curiosity.

Pan frowned lightly, before her eyes darted to the side. Kyuu was gazing right at them, apprehensive.

Do I say? her eyes queried.

When she got the reply, she focused back on the expectant Marron and Bra, smiling.

"Actually, I feel kinda tired. Sorry, I'll tell you later, ok?"

From the background, Trunks' hardening stare flitted between the cat man and raven head.