Loud Silence ch.28

Welcome to Loud Silence. This is a story about Trunks and Pan. You've only just read 184,062 words, but the best is yet to come, I assure you.

~PanHopeNvs~


Bra sat at her desk twirling a quill between her fingers—first rapidly clockwise, then counter-clockwise. She repeated this countless times before dipping the quill into the inkwell, and hastily penning the last line of her poem with a flourish. She dropped the quill and let out a breath, scanning over the words slowly.

While everyone else was celebrating, Bra had retired to her chambers, feigning tiredness from being with child. King Kai's loud nasal laughter had become contagious to everyone except for her—everyone was glad to be returning to earth, glad that they would have their lives again, and be able to see Pan and Trunks…

But Bra had realized that she had never really had a life to return to. The only reason she desired life at all was for the sake of her baby… and she wasn't certain, even with the wish made, that the baby would be born on earth. Pan was right: time passed more quickly in otherworld. Five days passed for every single day on earth, or about one month for every week. She was already almost six months along, and considering the wish would take time to be granted… well, she didn't know if she'd be returned to life soon enough. She had died when she was eighteen years old, and now (according to earth's time) she was twenty-one. That was three years! When would she be revived? If it took a whole year to revive everyone who had died in the past ten years… would it be soon enough? Her anxiety was far from over.

She had chosen to forgo celebrations and engage in one of the only activities which had ever made her feel at peace: writing. Picking up the paper, she began reading aloud to no one in particular in a soft and melodious whisper:

The Halfling

Bards sing of a princess bonny and fair

Of her beauty, her bounty, her fine cyan hair

Omitting that she begged on doorsteps for food

Forgetting that she shivered alone in the woods.

.

For I am she: daughter without father

All my youth a solitary wanderer

Born between bloodlines of earth and of stars

Torn between houses of blood and of love.

.

Safety was any foreign place I could sleep

Kindness were strange hands offering stale meat

Freedom was my solace from neglect and pain

So I ran and I ran again and again.

.

Until I finally found my refuge from harm

In the noble intention of a young girl's heart

Cast underground, alone but not lonely

No sunlight for years, yet my spirit was brightened.

.

I always existed only half in one world

Half human, half alive, half up, half down

Until I learned to truly love another

To see him, choose him, to breathe together.

.

Whether I am spirit or flesh, he will seek me

Whether right or wrong, he will defend me

If heaven, hell, or earth should reject me

I know that he will find me and hold me.

.

By his love I am no longer only half

For together we are both far more than whole

This miracle we created conquers all laws—

And if I am lost he will bring me home.

.

She said the last line in barely a murmur, closing her eyes. She tried to feel the security she had written for herself in the poem… but was having Goten's love really enough any longer? Pan and Trunks had made the wish. She would be wished back to earth soon… and for some strange reason she didn't feel the relief she knew she should.

Alone on this little isolated planet, she had no fear of anything going wrong. Goten was with her every day, and so was her mother. The rest of the Sons had grown on her, until Pan's parents were like a second family to her, as were Goten's mother and father. She was happy here.

Of course she wanted more, of course she wanted her baby… but now that the dawn of her second chance at life was upon her, she was uneasy. The problem with being alive was that one could be killed again. And there were other issues too—the planet Earth was much larger than King Kai's little ball of mud, and it held countless terrors…

A loud slam was heard, making Bra jump out of her thoughts. She opened her eyes to see two gigantic hairy feet on her writing desk. The feet were pounding the surface, spilling her ink all over the wood. She promptly commenced screaming at the top of her lungs.

"What is it, Bra? What's wrong?" shouted Goten, bursting through the door and crouching down into a fighting stance.

Bra, who had shielded her eyes, now bravely peeked through her fingers. She now recognized the hairy feet attached to the hairy gorilla as King Kai's pet, Bubbles.

"Sorry, Goten," she said weakly, folding her poem up before he could see it. I guess there are terrors here too, she thought in amusement, "Bubbles gave me a fright. Pregnant women are jumpy, you know."

"I've been looking for you!" Goten said, walking towards Bra, who smiled at him. But Goten kept walking past her and fully embraced Bubbles the Gorilla.

"I'm going to miss you, you crazy monkey!" said Goten, rubbing his head fondly, "I'll be revived any time now, you know."

The gorilla returned the hug, uttering unintelligible sounds of enthusiastic affection.

Bra's mouth dropped open and she placed her hands on her hips, "Aren't you forgetting to say goodbye to someone else who's rather important?"

Goten smiled then and approached Bra, but at the last moment he dropped to his knees and pressed his cheek against her belly, "Bye bye, baby! Daddy's only going to be away for a little while, but mommy will be coming soon and bringing you along! So you just sit tight and hang in there a little longer, alright buddy?"

Bra was shocked, "Goten, I meant me!"

Goten stood up, and turning to Bubbles he gestured to the exit. He cleared his throat in a serious masculine signal which transcended species. Bubbles complied and quickly left the room in an animated but lopsided bipedal primate fashion, closing the door behind him. Goten then turned to Bra with a wicked look in his eye.

"Did you really think I had forgotten you, my foolish Bra-chan? Not in a million years. I was just saving the best for last…" Goten closed the distance between them and took Bra's lips in a soft and memorable kiss. He moved his hand under her hair to the back of her neck so he could tilt her head back for leverage. Her lips parted and flooded his mouth with her soft warmth and desire. Her arms moved around his waist and she kissed him with all of her pent up emotions.

Goten met her fervour with his own, assaulting her lips, her tongue, and her soul with a powerful sweetness until Bra grew dizzy and weak in the knees. He felt her leaning against him, and felt her balance falter, and that was his cue to pick her up in his arms and carry her to the bed.

Bra blushed as he laid her out gently in the centre of the bed and then moved to lie beside her. He ran his eyes over her body and smiled.

"You're so beautiful like this, Bra-chan. I can't stop looking at you, and I fall in love with you more every time I see you. I never think it's possible, but then I see your smile, and see that you're going to be the mother of my child and… well, I just grow happier than any man should ever be allowed to be!"

Her arms were reaching out to pull him closer, and he complied with her wishes and kissed her deeply again.

She paused for a moment then, her eyes shining with the sentiment of his words, "I'm so lucky to have you, Goten. I love you more than I can tell you..."

"Then show me," he said gruffly, his kisses growing more heated, more demanding. Her hands slipped under his tunic, her fingernails lightly brushing his taut abdomen, as he deftly undid the ribbons at her bosom which secured her gown. They participated in a familiar flurry to undress each other while keeping their lips as connected as possible in loving kisses filled with need for each other.

Bra yearned to be intimate with Goten with her whole being. He had been neglecting her physically since he had found out about the baby—probably out of guilt, although that didn't make sense. They certainly couldn't make another one now. Also, the tension of watching the struggles of Pan and Trunks on earth had put them both in negative spirits, and they hadn't felt it was right to indulge in their own pleasures when their family members and dear friend were in danger. Now that was all over… now everyone in King Kai's castle was celebrating, including Bubbles. It was only fitting that they should deserve their own private celebration…

Goten moved on top of her, kissing her newly exposed flesh and inhaling her unique musky female scent.

"Bra," he murmured in between kisses, "When we get back to earth we should make five more babies."

"Five!" Bra exclaimed, laughing running her fingers through his soft dark hair, "Let's see how this one turns out first. Then we'll talk about it."

"I don't like talking," he said, sending a mischievous look at her and returning to her body, "I'm a man of action."

"Mmmm, Goten!" Bra murmured—carrying a baby sure did wonders for her hormones. She couldn't remember ever being this excited, this filled with anticipation… Goten's slightest touch sent her reeling with bliss. She closed her eyes. This was the second activity next to writing that calmed her nerves and gave her a sense of peace. This was just what she needed—she would feel content and her mind would be eased after this. Goten was so sensitive, so attentive, so loving. She arched her back to get closer to his mouth and body, whispering his name.

He suddenly stopped.

"Don't stop, Goten..." she moaned. Why was he teasing her? Why now? When he did not respond… she frowned at the silence and opened one eye cautiously, "Goten?"

He wasn't there. He had disappeared—he had been returned to the world of the living.

"AAARGH!" yelled Bra, balling up her fist and punching the pillow beside her in pure saiya-jin rage. The pillow burst and feathers went flying into her face.

"Damn you, Dende!" Bra said, ripping the feathers away, "Your dragon has some evil sense of humour! You don't mess with a pregnant saiya-jin woman like this! Couldn't you have waited another TEN MINUTES?"

She collapsed back on the bed, crossing her arms and frowning at the ceiling. "Or maybe twenty…"


A siege. Damnation! Pan knew what to expect, but she didn't want to face it. She didn't want to imagine the horrors she would find on her return home. She knew she had to mentally prepare so that she could take action once they arrived… save as many lives as possible… but it was difficult and heavy to think about.

She hadn't meant to snap at Trunks so coldly, but his momentary lapse into thinking of battle from the position of being against her… well, she had thought that was over. She had thought he was sorry for all the pain he had caused her—but if he was still thinking of how to attack her, then obviously… No, Pan, she told herself, he was just speaking out of habit. Just a thought that came into his mind.

They were flying at the top speed of the Nimbus across the Pacific Ocean. Pan couldn't even look down at the beautiful glittering waves… the water reminded her of the still-too-recent struggle she'd had for survival in those selfsame waves. A few times she had looked down, and had been seized with fear and dread, and she had become dizzy and nearly lost her balance and toppled off the Nimbus. So she kept her eyes focused on the power pole in her hands.

A pointy chin was embedded in her shoulder, and attached to it was an extremely heavy head. Heads never seem difficult to carry around on one's body, until someone else's neck muscles relax and you realize how much they actually weigh. This usually happened in sleep… or in death. Pan shook that thought from her mind—she hadn't had to deal with a dead body in a long time, but now that she was returning home to be greeted by an attack… well, there would be corpses again. That was just a fact. Trunks was fast asleep and snoring into her neck, with his arms around her waist. She sighed—he appeared so innocent like this… yet he had sent thousands of men with weapons to attack her home not so long ago.

What was the worst that could have happened?

The royal palace of Chikyuu could have been burned to the ground… Marron's mother and father killed along with all the other courtiers. The women raped or held captive in keeping with Vegetan style of battle. The villages and the shrine burned, the horses killed… and then everyone could have been returned to life only to find the Vegetans waiting to thrash them and murder them again.

Pan's grip on the power pole tightened.

Her eyes drifted to the diamond ring which now made its home on her left hand. It was on the opposite hand from the simple band which was the royal ring of Chikyuu. She studied the ring— deciding that she would have to take it off if it ever came down to battle so that she didn't damage it. But hopefully its significance would end the possibilities of any battles occurring after this day. The ring meant she was now in a position to call off the attack on Chikyuu. The few hours that it would take for the Nimbus to fly almost halfway around the world… those were the only few hours out of her control. Once they arrived at the castle… everything would be set right again.

Unless Krillen or Juuhachi were killed… then there was nothing Pan could do for Marron. But they couldn't be. They are the best fighters, they can survive a few hours of intense battle. That's all they have to do… hang on for a few more hours until Trunks and I get there.

The loud snoring tickled her neck again, and Pan looked down at the mass of lavender hair on her shoulder. She smiled suddenly at how hilarious it was that this was her husband, the King of Vegeta. If only everyone knew how ridiculous and goofy he could be… the man they feared and worshipped. Her shoulders began to move gently with her soft laughter, and Trunks was roused from his slumber.

"Is there danger? Are we being attacked?" he asked in a drowsy but alert voice, looking around rapidly. Upon seeing nothing but the open sky and water, he tightened his arms around her waist instinctively.

After a moment of looking down at the ocean he said confidently, "I know where we are!"

"Where is that?" Pan asked, amused. She followed his line of sight down into the waves and was glad that he held her so close, for the sight of the water sickened her again.

"Isn't this where you got chomped on by the sharks?" He asked, sinking his teeth into her shoulder gently.

She shuddered at this and pushed him away, hitting him in the shoulder, "Trunks! Don't joke about that."

Unfortunately she couldn't push him that far, since they were confined to the small cloud. He laughed at her reaction and she frowned responding, "If you are curious to know where we are, I am quite certain we have flown across over half the ocean while you've been sleeping. So no, we're not anywhere near where I was mauled by the sharks... we passed that point a long time ago."

"Pan," he said soothingly, "I was only making a jest... here. Why don't you get some rest for this portion of the trip? I'll take care of you."

As he said this he pulled her back against him, and began to massage her neck and shoulders skillfully with his strong fingers. Her body was immediately inclined to relax. She exhaled and closed her eyes, feeling her blood flow to the points his fingers touched. He knew just how to touch her body to make her troubles dissolve...

Her eyes snapped open, "Trunks... how can I rest? We're about to fly into my homeland at war."

"Shh, Pan-chan. All the more reason for you to rest. Worrying won't get us there any faster, the Nimbus is doing all he can."

The Nimbus gave a little bounce to acknowledge the truth of this, eliciting an involuntary smile from Pan. The Nimbus seemed very fond of Trunks... and so should Pan be, considering his new matrimonial status. She shouldn't be so offended by his every word...

His fingers continued to knead her muscles in a gentle rhythm until she began to ebb into slumber. Her own neck muscles relaxed before long, and her head fell back against his shoulder. He held her there protectively,


There was one more person who wasn't celebrating. Gohan was wracked with sadness and empathy for his teacher, friend, and mentor. He stole away from his wife's exclamations of joy and revelry with his mother, Bulma, and the others to the private spot from which he knew his teacher observed them.

"I'm so sorry, Piccolo..."

"Gohan, do not worry. I knew that it was unlikely at best."

"It's not fair... you deserve your life back as much as any of us!"

"Gohan... I died sixteen years ago... I know the power of the dragonballs intimately, and I was well aware that it would not be possible for me to return to life. The fact that Dende's dragon can do ten years is quite a miracle in itself."

"I... just really wish you were returning with us," Gohan fought back emotion, trying to be stoic and accepting like his friend. He suddenly felt like a young boy again, his old emotions and insecurities rushing back to him. He forgot his adult accomplishments and the role of fatherhood for a moment in his sadness. The reality was that Piccolo would be separated from Gohan for the rest of his life on earth.

"Gohan..." Piccolo placed a hand on his student's shoulder, "You don't need my guidance anymore. You haven't for a long time. We'll see each other again someday. Until then let's spend as much quality time as we can together in heaven, training like old times, until you're wished back."

Gohan nodded, "Yes, we will train... but you're wrong, Piccolo. I will always need your guidance."


"Pan, I think we're almost here."

She lifted her eyelids at first groggily, but when the bright sunlight hit her she was forced to squint. Then it hit her in a rush that they were heading into a war, and she willed her body awake, forcing it in an instant out of the drowsy weakness of slumber.

Pan lifted her head from Trunks' shoulder and looked down to the ground below. Sure enough, she recognized the landscape. They were only a few dozen miles from her home, and gaining ground quickly. A warm feeling rose to her chest at the sight of the evergreen forest and rolling hills she knew so well.

She put her hand to her hip where, for the first time in weeks, it met with the warm metal and enamel hilt of a sword. Not an old scimitar that would probably fall apart in battle, and not by any means her father's Z-sword... but still, a real weapon. Which she would soon be using to fight real flesh and blood enemies if Trunks couldn't give the orders in time.

Pan's eyes pierced the horizon, gazing intently for the towers of the royal palace. She imagined she saw it once, twice.

"Don't be so worried, Pan..."

"Trunks, we're about to enter a war! You've been doing this your whole life. Just because we're married things haven't suddenly become all ponies and rainbows. Get ready."

"I am ready, Pan... I just want you to know that you don't have to be. I'll take care of this situation. I'll protect you," he promised warmly.

She turned to look at him incredulously for a moment, before a small laugh forced its way up in her throat, "That's awful nice of you, sir."

He was about to retort when a strange look came into his eyes. He looked beyond her at the spot where she knew her Kingdom would be appearing in view at any moment. He frowned deeply, creases appearing in his forehead and around his mouth.

"What the hell..."

Pan felt fear creep up inside her at his reaction, and a flurry of morbid thoughts crossed her mind before she turned to look. She expected bodies. The castle had become visible on the horizon, as well as the grounds surrounding the Kingdom.

As they approached, the one possibility that she hadn't conceived of appeared before her in living colour. Yes, there were bodies...

But they were alive. Lounging and playing around the castle ground in brightly coloured garments, some sitting upon brightly coloured cloths laid out on the grass. The Nimbus continued to approach at an extremely high speed, and Pan took in their actions... some were eating, and the children were chasing each other.

The Kingdom of Chikyuu was having a massive picnic.

And from what she could see, the men from the Vegetan army that Trunks had sent were enjoying the picnic as well.

"What the hell!" Pan half-shouted, half-whispered, echoing Trunks' reaction. Was this some kind of an illusion? What had happened here?

When the Nimbus brought them to the entrance of the castle's gated wall, Trunks looked around for a soldier he would recognize. He found one of his generals, a burly giant of a man, leaning on the castle wall and chatting with a pretty Chikyuu-jin girl. He moved towards him quickly, followed by a dazed Pan.

"General Argus?" Trunks demanded.

"What d'ye want? Canna ye see I'm bus..." The man grunted, and then turning to see who had addressed him, his eyes went wide and he straightened his posture, "King Trunks! Forgive me your highness, we were not expecting you. Not since you sent the message."

"What message?" growled Trunks.

"The message about how you signed a peace treaty with King Pan and the war has ended. We've been following your orders and we've rebuilt most of the damage we caused to the property of Chikyuu in the siege. Everything is going as you wish, your majesty."

Trunks turned to look at Pan, his frown growing deeper. She grabbed his arm, and looked at the warrior, "Thank you for the report, General. The King and I will be inspecting your progress. Carry on with your festivities. Be nice to that girl."

Pan pulled Trunks towards the gate in the castle wall—she had an inkling of what was happening. They marched into the castle, and Pan was shocked at the fact that there were no guards at the entryway. Literally the whole kingdom was celebrating the end of the war that had lasted for most of their lives.

"It seems that your Chikyuu-jin girls are quite fond of my powerful Vegetan warriors," Trunks commented when he regained his composure. The shock that his men were taking orders from another had worn off: he knew it must be Uub's work.

Pan scoffed, but she was smiling, "Are you kidding? Your warriors are falling all over themselves trying to impress the lovely Chikyuu-jin women!"

She continued to walk at a brisk pace towards the great hall, and when they reached it she grabbed the handles of the large doors, throwing them open. There were a handful of people gathered around the main table in the center of the hall, and Pan's entrance startled them. At first they didn't recognize her because of her unusual garments and long hair, although they immediately recognized Trunks. After a moment, understanding sunk in.

Krillen was the first to exclaim, "Pan-chan! You're back! Thank Dende you're safe."

But Pan didn't notice anything except for one particular man who had stood up upon her entry and now faced her, a slow smile spreading across his countenance. She stared at him for a frozen moment, feeling her heart pounding as she took in his familiar features.

She then broke into a run, quickly crossing the room and then catapulting herself into his arms. She felt herself calling his name out in sublime happiness.

"GOTEN!"

He laughed; his arms had been stretched out to receive her, and he returned her hug with full force, squeezing her with the vigour of all his brotherly love and gladness. He closed his eyes, and held her tightly, feeling truly happy to be alive for the first time since he had been ripped away from Bra earlier in the day.

He now knew that this was where he was supposed to be: he was needed and loved here too. In the years since his older brother's death, Goten had become accustomed to filling the role of being Pan's father—protecting her and keeping her out of trouble. It took a strong man to manage such an impossible task, and he often failed, ending up roped in with her and the trouble instead. Eventually he had come to understand her and he had learned how to ensure his niece's safety. And when Bra had died— Pan had become the only person who mattered to him in the world, and she had pulled him out of a dark and miserable place.

It had not been easy for him to send her to Trunks, into the throes of hatred and danger, and into a literal and figurative pool of sharks— he had always thought they would get a chance to reason with the King together, but that was what they had been attempting to do when they somehow found themselves in the middle of another attack. The battle which would end his life. And he had no other choice than to tell Pan that she must pick up his torch, and complete his duties and goals on her own.

Goten had been stripped of all ability to help. He had never felt as helpless as the moment he realized he was dying. Of course, some communication was made possible by the necklace... but this, holding Pan again... it made all the pain worth it. She was safe, and he would make sure that she was never hurt again. Vegeta, or even Trunks if he did something stupid—well, they would have to go through him first.

Pan was the closest to tears that she'd been since she was an infant. Since she'd learned to express herself through speech. She held onto him for dear life: her sweet Goten: her beloved uncle who had died in her arms not long ago. She had felt the life leave his body, and now she could feel that strength and power coursing through him again. He had returned to her, and it was nothing short of a miracle. She hadn't cried at his death, and she wouldn't allow tears to overcome her now... but it was challenging. She had never felt such emotion from happiness. She had not known it was possible. Holding Goten meant to Pan that everything would soon be right in the world again.

Trunks stared at Pan and Goten embracing and felt a strange feeling rise up in him. Jealousy? What was he jealous of? His wife in the arms of another man? It's her uncle for God's sake, Trunks. Get a hold of yourself! Maybe, more accurately... he was jealous that they had such a powerful connection between them in comparison with him and Bra. Although Goten and Pan were farther apart in blood, they were closer in spirit.

Or maybe Trunks was insecure that now that she wasn't alone in the world any longer, he would take less importance in her life. Maybe she would love her family, those who had never hurt her, more than she could love someone she had such a history of pain with such as himself. Maybe he was losing her.

He knew he had to take action to dissuade these strange thoughts... so he too crossed the room, approaching the sweet reunion of the two Sons.

"King Goten," Trunks began, in a respectful and diplomatic tone, "I just wanted to apologize... for killing you the last time we met."

Goten slowly let go of Pan, the smile fading from his face, and he turned to look at her husband. He studied Trunks' face for a moment, for sincerity, and before long he looked as though understanding had dawned on him.

"I don't believe it!" he began, "I had to see it up close and personal, to decide for myself, but I'm sure of it now."

At the confused look on Trunks' face, Goten nodded gravely, "Trunks, you're completely whipped."

Pan burst out laughing at the look of horror on Trunks' face, and so did everyone else in the room. Even Trunks joined in after a moment.

"I'm just kidding, Trunks. Of course, you are forgiven for killing me! Also, drop the formalities. You're family now. You're both my nephew and my brother, so start acting like it!" Goten's good cheer was infectious.

Trunks found himself smiling, "I couldn't think of a better man for my sister. Thank you for taking care of her for me."

"It has been my privilege," said Goten, and then he clapped the other saiya-jin on the back, "And by the way, brother... I was having an off-day when you managed to kill me: you got lucky. We should fight again sometime and see if you can manage to beat me twice!"

Trunks' eyes lit up at this suggestion, and at being called "brother"— Pan recognized the emotions on his face and her heart warmed to the new friendship between her favourite men. They would get along perfectly! And if they didn't play nice, well, she would step in and guarantee that they behaved.

"Enough of this love-fest," said a hard, but sensual feminine voice, "I want to see my daughter now."

Pan's head turned to where Lady Juuhachigou stood erect in her stately posture, with her arms crossed and expression extremely cross. She was flanked by two men: Krillen similarly looked concerned... and the man on her other side... well, he was a complete stranger to Pan.

"Juuhachi, Krillen, I am sorry that she has not returned home yet. She is still in Vegeta, but she has a powerful guardian there who will keep her from harm," Pan smiled, "I am confident that it is Marron and Uub who sent the orders to end the war."

"The orders didn't come from you two?" asked Krillen.

"No," said Trunks, "We were too busy staying alive and trying to get to the last dragonball."

"So the war isn't really over?" asked Krillen in disappointment, stroking his beard.

Pan looked at Trunks expectantly and he smiled, "It is over. They just made the announcement before we got the chance to."

"Well, then. Marron's alright. I hope so... there had better not be a hair on her head harmed!" Juuhachi said firmly, covering up her inner happiness and pride at the good news of her daughter.

"Hey sis," said the dark haired man standing beside her, pushing his elbow into her side. His lips curled in mirth, "Don't be rude. Introduce me to the King I've been fighting for all these weeks... now a Prince again. I've been dying to meet the valiant Prince Pan."

"How many times have I told you not to attempt humour, brother?" Juuhachi smiled at him condescendingly before turning to Pan, "Pan, this is my brother Juunanagou, whom you've heard so much about. He helped us to fight the Vegetans during the siege... appearing out of nowhere really. He really assisted us in turning the tide and holding them off."

Juunana approached Pan, and taking her hand he bowed deeply, maintaining piercing and seductive eye contact with her, "It's an honour to meet you, Princess."

"Likewise. Thank you for fighting so bravely, Juunana," she answered. She saw the resemblance to his sister in his face, especially those metallic eyes. He was a gorgeous man.

"It was my pleasure, Princess," he said, smiling and placing his lips on her hand in a kiss of loyalty, but they lingered there for a second longer than appropriate, which drew a low growl from Trunks. Pan smiled in spite of herself.

"Actually, you'll have to address her as Queen— Queen Pan of Vegeta, that is. We're married," Trunks informed the dark haired man, stepping beside Pan protectively. This time he felt his jealousy was justified.

"Oh, forgive me, your highness," said Juunana throwing up his hands and stepping backward—there was a subtle tone of mockery in his voice, "I didn't mean to invade your territory. Or force myself onto your lands. I wasn't trying to penetrate..."

"Enough, Juunana," said Pan firmly, trying to force the tiny blush away from her cheeks. She had never been used in this kind of rhetoric before, "Trunks understands your point. He knows he should not have laid siege to Chikyuu."

Trunks had not understood this point at all, and had been moving forward in rage toward this man, but Pan's words and tight grip on his wrist stopped him.

"The war just ended, boys," Goten added with a laugh, "Let's not start another so soon. I'd like to enjoy being alive for another ten minutes. Or twenty. "

The men calmed down, and Juuhachi raised an eyebrow, "You married him, Pan?"

Pan nodded, "Yes, I did."

"Why?"

Pan felt that damnable blush return to her face, but Goten stepped in, saving her, "I was just about to tell you all that part of the story when Pan and Trunks came barging into the Hall. Shall we maybe have some supper and talk about it? They've just traveled from across the world by air, and I've just been revived from the world of the dead. I think we're all rather famished."

Pan smiled at her uncle fondly. Yes, it was really him, he was really back!

He noticed her smile and winked, "Didn't you promise me some steaks, Pan-chan?"


I know this chapter wasn't action packed, but that's sometimes necessary to set up the action. The next update won't be for another week and a half. I have an essay due in my Victorian literature class which I must work on.

Thank you again to my three reviewers: The-lastsaiyan1991, Zailz-101, and RKR. I wouldn't have finished this without you. I kept trudging along and trying to remember that I'm writing this for myself, but I couldn't do it until I received a review from RKR yesterday which gave me the final push to write the last thousand words of the chapter.

I feel like no one is reading it, even though I see they are in the traffic. Well, I guess after the wedding it loses steam, huh? I so much want to work on my original writing, and send out another one of my manuscripts to publishers... but I really must finish this.

Love if you'd make it easier on me; leave a few kind words.