22- I'll Go to Hell for You

Late Summer

Trunks landed on Pan's loft with a soft thud. The curtains were shut, making the room seem dark. It only took Trunks' eyes a few seconds to adjust. Faintly, he could hear the thunder rolling outside.

Quietly, Trunks walked down the loft into the central part of Pan's bedroom. It was just as dark as the loft, but his eyes could make out a lump under Pan's sheets. Trunks walked over to the bed and pulled up the comforter. Pan looked up at him from the ball she had curled herself in.

"Trunks-" she sniffed.

"Hey," he squatted down and gave her a small smile. He remembered her not being fond of storms, but she must genuinely be scared of them for her to hide like this. "Are you okay? Do you want me to get you anything?"

"Can you lay down beside me?" She asked quietly.

Trunks' eyes widened, and he felt his heart go crazy. He had been stern about Pan's bed. He didn't even allow himself to sit on it when they talked because his mind would race to naughty thoughts. The very thoughts he was forcing himself to not have at the moment.

"I can hold your hand-" he stretched out his free hand to her, and she took it before tugging at it.

"Please, just lay up here with me," she whispered.

Trunks felt his resistance breaking. She was scared, and she wanted him to comfort her. He felt proud at the thought that she turned to him for comfort. With a sigh, Trunks stood up and let go of Pan's hand and the covers before he took off his boots. Pan grabbed the blanket and pulled it down just past her eyes so she could watch him.

"Here-" she started to pull the covers up.

Trunks stopped her and crawled on top of the covers and laid down beside her. He tucked an arm around her and the blanket and held her as his face grew warm. Trunks had held Pan countless of times, but this felt different. Maybe it was because they were on a bed.

"Trunks," Pan's voice was muffled by her blanket before she reached up and pulled it down to her chin. "You can get under the blankets if you want to."

"I think it's best that I stay on top of them," he told her in a whisper before he swallowed hard. "My hands might wander if they're in under the blankets with you," he told her truthfully. She always made him so honest because he felt like he could tell her anything and never be judged for it.

"Oh."

A few silent seconds passed. Trunks could hear the rain pelting against Pan's balcony doors, and the thunder was faint now.

"I wouldn't mind," Pan's quiet voice broke the silence. "If your hands wander, that is."

Trunks felt a shudder go through his body, and he tightened his grip on Pan as he let out a shaky breath. "You're going to be the death of me," he muttered. He could see it now

Pan let out a small giggle, and her arm came out of the blankets as she wrapped it around Trunks. "Thank you," she told him softly as she snuggled against his chest.

Trunks let out a small sigh and glanced down at her with a smile. He might have to fight his urges, but as he looked at her looking so content against him, Trunks knew Pan was worth it.

Pan was trying her best not to let her lips twitch as she ate. It had been days since Trunks had comforted her during the storm, but she couldn't stop thinking about what he had said. Did she make his hands want to wander? What else did she cause him to want to do? It sent excited shivers down her body, and she nearly squirmed in her seat.

With a deep breath, Pan forced herself to calm down. Thankfully, it was just her and Gohan eating this morning. Chi-Chi was off visiting the Eastern Lands to check on their fields since the fall harvest would be beginning in a few weeks. Yamcha was off far South, leading his groups in some military camps. He would be back in a few weeks.

"Panny, what has you smiling so much?"

Pan turned to Gohan quickly as her cheeks flooded with heat. She hadn't been very good at hiding her smiles. "Oh, I was just thinking about something," she said quietly.

"Something or someone?" Gohan asked with a knowing chuckle.

Pan's face grew hotter, and her lips grinned.

Gohan just chuckled some more. "Maybe you can invite him for dinner," he said. "I'll be leaving after breakfast to go to Josen for a few days to meet up with the King there to discuss our trade."

"Really? He can come over to eat with me so I won't be alone?" Pan asked with a grin.

Gohan gave her a gentle smile and nodded. "I know you hate eating by yourself. I would feel better if you had someone with you as well."

"You're the best, Han," she chirped. She couldn't wait to tell Trunks when he visited!

"Your Majesty," Lapis walked into the dining room.

Pan felt her happy mood growing cold. Lapis always seemed to suck the fun out of everything. She cast her eyes down as Lapis approached Gohan.

"The Saiyans have contacted us," he began.

Pan's ears perked, and she sat up straight.

"We didn't have our annual trade this Spring," Lapis continued. "They wish to schedule it soon."

Gohan let out a sigh. "Fine. Schedule it in a few weeks so they'll get off my back."

Pan raised her head slowly. "Why didn't you have the trade with the Saiyans this Spring?" She asked curiously. She had been somewhat distracted for most of the season. First, from her recovering from her illness, and then Trunks returning.

"Honestly, I was hoping to avoid it altogether," Gohan muttered. "Saiyans-" he shuddered. "They're wild, Panny. You know I don't like them coming here. I hate you roaming around when they're here. What if one of them grabs you?"

"They would never!" Pan gasped loudly.

"Panny?" Gohan's eyes widened in surprise.

"I mean," she cleared her throat. "I don't think they're all that wild," she said quietly. She had been to Vegeta-Sei herself. Most Saiyans were just like humans! They lived as they did, had fun like they did, and loved even deeper than they did.

"They are," Gohan stressed. "Look who they work for! That's why I can't trust them in the castle. I can't even think of what would happen if one was left unattended with you-" he gave a visible shudder.

Pan was in shock. Gohan had just invited a Saiyan to keep her company while he was away- though he didn't know it. "How can you say that about them when you don't even know them?!" She countered.

"And you do, Princess?" Lapis asked cooly as Gohan's eyes widened in shock.

Pan dropped her silverware as she clenched her first tightly. She could feel something bubbling up in her, and she stood up so quickly that her chair flipped over.

"I don't have to know someone to defend them! You're judging an entire race for something a monster's forcing them to do!" She snapped at Lapis.

"Why do you think Lord Frieza is controlling those monsters?" Lapis asked as he narrowed his eyes at Pan. "They're a destructive race! Hundreds of years ago, one of them had enough power to tear apart a galaxy! Left unchecked, a power like that is dangerous."

Pan was shaking. "And Frieza, who makes them pillage planets and kill is any better?!" She hissed.

"Pan, calm down," Gohan said as he stood up. "Lapis was just-"

"Why are you taking his side?!" Pan screeched. "Can't you see what he's doing to you, Gohan?! He's turning you into the real monster, and he's trying to get rid of me!"

"I would never!" Lapis' eyes widened.

"Pan, that's enough!" Gohan raised his voice sternly. "Lapis has been by our side since Dad passed. He's still here when even Goten isn't!"

Pan felt a jab at her heart. "Ten will come back," she whispered as her eyes grew hot with tears.

Gohan ignored her commented and continued, "he's been here since you were little, Panny. He's helped raise you! How could you say that about him?"

"It's okay, Your Majesty," Lapis said. His face was frowning, but Pan could see the amusement behind his eyes. "The Princess is at the rebellious stage of life where she thinks everyone is out to get her."

Pan's nostrils flared, and she felt something hot growing in the pit of her stomach. She swallowed it down as her nails dug into her palms painfully.

"I think her old teacher used to be able to reason with her. Should I contact him?" Lapis asked.

Pan hated that teacher. He was stern and cruel. He would smack Pan's hands with rulers if she messed up only a little. Thankfully she had finished her courses early last Spring, just before she met Trunks. She hadn't seen that teacher since, but she knew if Lapis had his way, then that teacher would be strutting through the doors with that cruel look on his dull face.

"Lapis?"

"Yes, Princess?" He looked at her with a sly grin. Pan wanted nothing more than to scratch off of his face.

Pan stuck her chin out and held her head eye. "Go to hell!" She snarled. She just barely saw Gohan's look of surprise before she turned on her heels and walked out of the dining room.

Trunks had known as soon as he landed in the clearing that something was wrong. It was a beautiful sunny day, and Pan wasn't there. Of course, she didn't go there daily- not like she used to, and Trunks wasn't sure how to explain how he knew something was wrong. He just did.

Quickly, he used Instant Transmission and landed on Pan's balcony doors. He opened them quietly and peeked inside. Pan was on her bed, still and silent. A sense of dread washed over Trunks as he stepped inside and walked over to the bed. Pan was on her stomach. Her eyes, which were red and swollen, were closed, and she was breathing in rasps. Was she sick?

"Panna," Trunks reached over and touched her forehead.

She jumped for a moment- which she never did, and Trunks' eyes widened in surprise. Just what had happened?! He fell to his knees quickly so he could be level with her.

"What happened?" He asked. Gently, he pulled some of her long dark hair over, and the sight that greeted him caused an explosion to go off in the pit of his stomach. Her nightgown was covered with blood.

"Trunks-" Pan's voice cracked. She tried to sit up but winced with a whimper before she settled back down. He could see the tears gathering in her eyes.

"What happened?" Trunks asked again.

"I fell," she whispered.

Trunks set his jaw. He knew she was lying. Why was she lying?!

"Has the doctor seen this?" He asked quietly.

Pan shook her head slowly, and Trunks jumped up.

"Trunks-!" She began.

"Stay," he ordered her as he tried his best to keep his voice free from anger. He wasn't angry at her, even though she was lying to him. Someone had done something to her, and he was going to find out before he left just who it was.

Pan sniffed as Dr. Brief finished up bandaging up her back. When he had first seen it, he had let out a strangled gasp, but other than that, he hadn't said a word as he worked quietly. Pan was thankful for that.

"There," Dr. Brief said quietly as the last bandage was placed on her back. "The jelly I put on it should help the whelps calm down, and by tomorrow morning, they should be just a little sore. If you need any more, jelly, let me know."

"I will," Pan croaked.

"I'll tell Trunks he can come in now."

Pan listened as Dr. Brief walked out to the foyer where Trunks had been waiting. Part of her told herself that she needed to cover up before Trunks came in, but she was too exhausted to move.

It took Trunks less than a minute to be beside Pan's bed. He didn't speak as he picked up her covers and gently placed them over her bandages. Without even being asked, he laid down on her bed beside her, and Pan felt her eyes growing warm.

Pan had one of her arms tucked under her pillow, and with her free hand, she reached out to grab Trunks. He held her hand and kissed it. He didn't speak or ask any questions as Pan traced his hand with her finger. She knew he was waiting for her to tell him.

After several minutes, Pan took a deep breath. "Growing up a Princess, I used to have to take these strict lessons," she began. She couldn't look Trunks in the eye as she spoke. "When I messed up even just a little bit, I would get in trouble. Usually, I would get my hands smacked with a ruler."

Pan heard Trunks take in a deep breath. "Did you ever tell anyone?"

"No," Pan whispered.

"Why not?"

"He always made me feel as if I deserved it, and I was childish. This morning, Gohan and I got in an argument, you could say. Then, his Royal Advisor, Lapis, joined in, and I was very blunt with him," Pan muttered. "I don't regret what I did, though."

"What did you do?" Trunks asked. "What were you and Gohan arguing about?" He sounded surprised.

"They were talking about Saiyans-" Pan tightened her grip on Trunks' hand. "They were calling you guys monsters and just being horrible-" she looked up at Trunks with teary eyes. "I've seen your planet. I've met your people, and I know you. I couldn't let them talk like that. I told Lapis to go to hell."

Trunks' eyes widened, and he sat up slightly. "You told your Royal Advisor to go to hell?!" He gasped.

"Yeah," she nodded.

Trunks let out a heavy breath and laid back down. "Wow. My girlfriend is a badass."

Pan felt her lips twitching. That did make her feel a lot better.

"But what happened to your back?" Trunks asked quietly.

Pan swallowed hard as her smile vanished. "Lapis called in my old teacher. The one who used to smack me with a ruler. He has other ways of teaching students a lesson now," she muttered. "He said that respect was something that should be given at all times, and it was time I learned some. He hit me twice and then-" Pan froze as her stomach bubbled. No, she couldn't tell Trunks what happened next.

"And then?" Trunks asked. His voice had grown cold. Pan met his eyes as he saw that despite his eyes looking the icy blue they always did, there was fire behind them.

"And then I broke down and was sobbing," Pan said as she glanced away from Trunks. "He left, and I went to my room and stripped before crawling into bed." She let out a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this." It was bad enough that he had seen her sick. "I feel childish."

"No!" Trunks shook his head as he leaned upon his elbow. "Listen to me, Panna. You are not childish for standing up for what you believe in. You just defended me and my entire race! You are far from childish in my eyes, and you have no idea of just how badly I want to kiss you right now."

Pan felt her cheeks and neck growing warm. "Well, you can kiss me if you want to," she told him.

Trunks smiled and leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. The kiss only lasted a few seconds before Trunks pulled away and wrapped his arm around Pan's waist.

"Will you stay here?" She asked him quietly.

"Of course," he answered. "I'm not going anywhere."

Trunks watched Pan sleeping peacefully for a few minutes before he quietly sneaked out of her bedroom. In her foyer, he put his boots back on before walking out of the hallway. He could tell by the startled look of a few maids that scurried past him that his face was set in a snarl. He didn't care, though.

Dr. Brief was pacing in his study when Trunks entered the room. He didn't seem surprised that Trunks had come to him. "How is she?"

"Sleeping."

"Good," Dr. Brief's sighed heavily.

"Where's her Mother?"

"In the East," Dr. Brief answered. "She's been there for a few days."

"Her uncle?"

"Down south. Had been for weeks."

"And her Brother?"

"Josen for a meeting with the King. What happened?" Dr. Brief asked.

Trunks felt his veins become fire as he growled. "Her teacher was here earlier, wasn't he?"

"Yes," Dr. Brief nodded. "I was told there Princess had a lesson with him."

"A lesson that involved him whipping her back!" Trunks snarled.

Dr. Brief looked horrified. "H-he did that? I was always told that Nomura was stern, but is he that cruel?" He whispered.

"Where does he live?"

Dr. Brief swallowed hard. "What will you do once I tell you?"

Trunks straightened his back. "You should already know by now that when it comes to Panna that I don't mess around."

"Trunks, don't get yourself into trouble now," 's said.

"Where does that bastard live?" He asked, fighting to keep the growl out of his voice.

Dr. Brief didn't say a word as he turned around and looked through a shelf behind his computer. Within a minute, he had a folder out and was handing it to Trunks.

The sun on earth was starting to set as Trunks looked inside the nice home. He could see a middle-aged man through the windows. His graying hair was pulled back as he moved around his house rather slowly. Quickly, Trunks looked around and saw no one in sight, and so he made his move and disappeared.

Trunks reappeared right behind the man, Nomura, Dr. Brief had called him. He must have sensed someone was behind him because he turned around, his brown eyes widening in fear.

"Who are you?!" He demanded as he backed up to his desk.

"You visited the Princess today," Trunks told him darkly. "And you hurt her." He could feel his Ki swirling in the pit of his stomach.

Nomura's eyes widened in fear. "Did she tell you what she did to me?!" He spat. With shaking arms, he raised his shirt. He had blisters from his chest down to his hips. "She's a monster!" He cried. "A real monster!"

Trunks' eyes narrowed. He wasn't sure how Pan had caused that injury. Maybe her Ki had activated and protected her. It didn't matter to Trunks either way because Nomura had still hurt her.

Trunks raised his Ki and smirked as Nomura looked terrified. He could feel electricity crackling around him. He was going to make that bastard pay for hurting Pan.

"I'll show you what a true monster looks like," he promised darkly.

"But I look and you and I know. Hell is just another place I guess I'll go to keep you warm."
-Unknown