Chapter 21- One Year

The door slammed shut behind Trunks and coldness rippled through his body. He looked out in front of him to see nothing but purely white vastness. His father was already stalking out ahead of him, no doubt trying to separate himself as much as he could.

Trunks just wondered how he would be able to live a whole year with his father... And without Pan. He had never even spent a day without her, and year away from her would be torture. The harder and faster he trained, the sooner she would be in his arms again. With a sigh, he stepped out into the vastness of the chamber to begin his training.

XxXxX

Trunks let out a huff when he heard his father crumple to the floor with an audible groan. It really wasn't a surprise, since it seemed to have happened twice a week in the past six months they've been in the chamber. Vegeta was a strict man when it came to training... He seriously beat himself to a pulp until he wouldn't be able to stand anymore.

When the accidents first started happening, Trunks was worried. He would drop what he was doing to help Vegeta, but after getting yelled at more than his fair share he decided to stop. But something felt different this time... With a sigh, Trunks stopped his sit-ups and stood up to walk over to his father.

"Leave me alone, boy!" Vegeta snarled, glancing up at Trunks.

Trunks' eye twitched as his blood boiled. He knew not to expect anything from his father, yet, it still hurt when he was treated so harshly.

"What the hell is your problem?" Trunks demanded.

Vegeta growled, "I don't have time to talk about feelings, if that's what you're wanting! I have to train, now leave!"

"Oh, and I suppose you're going to make me?" Trunks raised a brow as a challenge. "You know, with you being stuck on the floor and all... But listen here," he bent his knees to see his father clearly. "I have something to say, and you're damn sure going to listen."

Vegeta looked up at him in slight shock. At the moment he didn't know if he should have been pissed or proud. "Leave me alone," he cliched through his teeth.

"No," Trunks stated defiantly. "When I've said what I need to say, then I will leave. Ever since I've arrived here, all I've done is run around to try to keep you safe... You know, I understand if I'm what you would call a disappointment, but you have to realize that growing up, you wasn't around to show me how I should be. That's why you've got to live, so you can show this Trunks the way he needs to be... The way you want him to be... That way he can be your proud son. Just whatever you do, don't make him like you! Don't make him cold, and don't make him hate the world..." He took a deep breath before continuing, "all my life I've wondered what my father was like, and now I see my mother was right. You're prideful, stubborn, and an asshole..." He stood up, stretching before looking down at his father with a small smirk. "But you're a lot more than that too, aren't you, Prince Vegeta?" With that Trunks turned around, walking back to his own spot.

"I'm not disappointed in you..."

It was so faint, Trunks almost didn't hear it. A small smile crept up on his face and he held his head high. For the first time in all his life, he actually felt like he was the son of a Prince.

XxXxX

Trunks was quiet shocked to see that his little talk had an effect of Vegeta... He had become a tad nicer towards him... He even spared with him a bit, of course, Trunks always let him win, knowing his father's pride meant everything to the man. Trunks also knew that their relationship was nowhere near where Goku and Gohan's were... Yet, it was a start.

"Father..." Trunks spoke up one evening after a spar and meal. "What was Vegeta-Sei like?"

Vegeta's eyes widened, only momentarily before he looked at Trunks, raising a brow. "You want to know?"

The man nodded, "I've always been curious about it," he admitted. "It is apart of my heritage..."

"Hm..." Vegeta smirked slightly. Honestly, he was quiet pleased that his son was wanting to know about his heritage. "Where to begin..."

The two spent almost the rest of the night talking about Vegeta-Sei.

"I suppose," Vegeta spoke up later on. "If I told you you couldn't see Kakarot's daughter anymore, you would listen?"

Trunks smirked, "nope. She had a name you know, it's Pan. And if you would get to know her, I'm sure you two would get along."

Vegeta grimaced, "she's the daughter if that idiot..."

Trunks rolled his eyes. "True... But she's also half-Saiyan.. She knows how to fight. Don't think of her as 'Goku's daughter'- just think of her as 'Pan, another Saiyan'."

"She is a good fighter," Vegeta grumbled. "I'll give her that..."

"See? She's not bad, you'd like her."

Vegeta just rolled his eyes. He didn't see how he could ever end up liking anything that was ever related to Kakarot. But maybe his son had a point... He should just simply view her as a Saiyan... A Saiyan that would defiantly become his son's mate one day.

XxXxX

The sky around the Lookout darkened as Goku sat out front. Pan sat beside him as Gohan and Mr Popo stood nearby. They could feel Piccolo's energy as they waiting for Vegeta and Trunks to leave the chamber.

"Time is running out, Piccolo is already fighting," Goku whispered in concentration.

"Who is he fighting, Dad?" Gohan asked worriedly. "Is it Cell?"

"There's no life force," Pan answered quietly. "It's the Androids..."

"I have to help him!" The boy shouted.

"No, Gohan, don't!" Pan called after him. "It's dangerous!"

"Pan's right, Gohan," Goku stopped him as he stood up with Pan. "Right now Piccolo will just have to hold them off while you train. There's no use in going down there, Gohan..." He said softly. "I know you want to help, but you're just not strong enough yet and you would only get in Piccolo's way. As soon as we're finished with our training, we will go down there and help Piccolo, you can count on it."

"Yeah," Pan agreed. "Plus, Trunks and Vegeta should be done with their training any minute now, so then they can go an help."

As the group waited, things only got worse. Cell had arrived where Piccolo and the Androids were, and even got ahold of one of the Androids... Now they're only hope was that he wouldn't get the other one.

With all the horrible things happening, Pan felt a tad bit bad or feeling so happy... She was fixing to see her Trunks again. She couldn't wait to see how much he had improved- or to be in his arms again. She was practically jumping up and down with excitement, knowing the time was close.

Goku watched his daughter in amusement. She really did like Trunks, but he knew their bond was stronger than anyone else would ever know. He couldn't quite place it- what was so special about it, but he knew it was something.

The door creaked open, and Trunks was the first one out. Pan's eyes widened as she took in his appearance- his ripped clothes and his long hair that was pulled into a low ponytail! He hadn't even taken three steps before she was running into his arms. He engulfed her in a tight hug, lifting her feet off the ground as her lips found his. He was only faintly aware that his father had walked out of the chamber, proclaiming that he didn't need any help killing Cell.

"Hello?" A voice called down the hallway, breaking Trunks and Pan apart. "Where are you guys?"

"That's Bulma," Gohan smiled, as the woman neared the group.

"Bulma, what are you doing here?" Goku raised a brow.

"I brought some things for you guys," the bluenette smiled, looking around the group. Her eyes widened when she saw her future son. "OH MY STARS, TRUNKS! I mean, you are Trunks... Right?"

"Uh, yeah... It's me," he smiled awkwardly as Pan giggled. "I was in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with Father..."

Bulma shook her head slowly before pulling out a capsule and opening it to reveal a box. "I figured this fight with Cell will be tough, so I made you guys some new combat suits." She placed Baby on her hip as she opened the box. "I tried to make them as close to Saiyan armor as I could... Here Pan," she picked up a red suit. "I made yours a bit different."

"Thank you Bulma-San!" Pan smiled, taking the suit before heading off to go change. She decided to take her bandana out, letting her long hair flow down her back.

When Pan walked back out, the only ones wearing the armor were the Saiyans, and it didn't take Vegeta long at all to decided that he was all that they needed to defeat Cell.

"I better go follow him..." Trunks sighed. "He thinks he's unstoppable now."

"Here, take these, just incase," Goku said, handing him two senzu beans.

"Thank you, Goku..." Trunks smiled. "For everything."

"Take care of yourself, Trunks..." Bulma sniffed worriedly. "And I know it might be difficult, but look out for Vegeta too, please..."

"I will," he gave his mother a nod.

He turned towards Pan, who had been standing there quietly for sometime. He grabbed her face, kissing her, hard. Bulma gasped with wide, surprised eyes.

"Be strong, Panna..." He told her, a soft grin playing on his face. "You'll see me soon..."

Pan nodded her red face quickly, blinking away tears. "I love you..."

"I love you too," he whispered before reluctantly letting go over her and running off the Lookout to take off into the air.

"You... You..." Bulma whispered, blinking at Pan before slowly looking at Baby. She let out a happy grin, hugging her son tightly. "Awh, Trunks! You done such a great job! How long have you two been dating?" She asked Pan.

"Only a few days..." She admitted, scratching the back of her head. It honestly felt like forever.

"Mr Popo is the chamber ready?" Goku asked as he walked up.

"Yes," Mr Popo nodded. "Originally the chamber is designed to hold only two people, but I programmed it this time specially, so there should be plenty of food for you and your two children."

"Thank you, Mr Popo," Goku bowed, and Gohan and Pan soon followed his lead. "Are you two ready?" Goku asked his children.

Gohan and Pan shared a look before a smile crossed their faces. "Let's do this," Pan gave a nod.