23- New Friends
Pan woke up feeling well-rested. Her back was tender but other than that, she felt terrific. She opened her dark eyes and stared at the Saiyan sleeping beside her. He had stayed the whole night, only leaving for an hour so he could tell Bulla and his Eomma that he would be gone.
Trunks looked so peaceful. His head rested on his arm, and his lavender hair was still pulled back into a low ponytail. Pan's lips twitched. She didn't think he had gotten a haircut since they had first met, and his hair was down past his shoulders now.
"You know, it's hard to sleep when someone's watching you," Trunks' voice was hoarse and thick with sleep.
Pan felt a shiver go down her spine as she grinned. "You look peaceful when you sleep," she commented softly.
Trunks' lips twitched, and slowly his eyes opened. He looked at Pan for several seconds before he reached over and twirled a strand of her hair between his fingers. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm good," she said honestly.
Her stomach gave a rumble, and Trunks let out a small snort. "How about you go get dressed for the day, and we'll get some breakfast?" He said. "You didn't eat much last night."
"You're staying longer?" She asked, hopefully. He had already been there longer than he had ever stayed before, and she didn't want him to leave.
"If you want me to."
"Yes," she answered immediately before her stomach gurgled again.
Trunks smiled. "Okay. I'm going to go home for a few minutes and change. Give me about fifteen minutes, alright?"
"Mhm," Pan nodded.
Trunks leaned over and kissed her forehead before he was gone. Pan let out a small sigh as she looked at the spot where he had been. She wondered if there would ever be a time where she would be lucky enough to wake up beside Trunks every morning.
Twenty minutes later, when Pan walked out of her bathroom, Trunks was back and waiting for her as he sat in her chair. He looked up at her and grinned. He looked charming, even though he was wearing sweats and a shirt. She was wearing some sweats and a shirt as well.
"I hope you know you're never getting this back," Pan said as she tugged on the grey shirt she was wearing. Trunks had brought it the night before so she could sleep in something loose-fitting, and Pan couldn't bring herself to change out of it just yet. It smelled like Trunks.
Trunks tilted his head and smirked. "It looks better on you anyway," he commented, and Pan's face began to grow hot. He stood up and walked over to her and move some of her hair over her shoulder. "Hungry?"
"Not really," Pan muttered, but her stomach rumbled its protest.
Trunks took her hand as they left her room. Pan swung their hands slowly as they walked. "I'm going to find a maid and tell her to set the breakfast trays in the garden since it's so nice out today. Is that okay?"
Trunks nodded. "If that's what you would like," he told her.
"Why are you always so good to me?" Pan said it in a teasing way, but she was curious.
Trunks raised their hands and kissed her knuckles. "Because you're my girl, that's why."
Pan felt an overwhelming giddiness rise inside of her. She felt as if she could start giggling at any second and not be able to quit.
"Princess!" A maid shrieked, and Pan jumped.
Trunks' grip tightened on her hand protectively as a maid rushed down the hallways. Her eyes were wide with fear and her face pale. Pan knew this maid- Lottie. She was one that frequently helped her Mama care for her when she sick, even though she was a kitchen worker most of the time.
"Oh, Princess, are you okay?" Lottie asked worriedly.
Pan felt her back tense, and pain ran through her. The only people that knew what happened were herself, Trunks, Dr. Briefs, her old teacher, and she wouldn't be surprised if Lapis knew, either. "Of course," Pan said slowly. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Oh, it's awful!" Lottie cried. "Your old teacher- the one that came to visit yesterday was attacked inside of his home yesterday!"
Pan's eyes widened. She glanced at Trunks, and he didn't seem surprised by the news. "What happened to him?" Pan asked Lottie.
"No one knows," Lottie's voice became a whisper as her eyes widened. "He was found this morning- dead! The coroners say that it was the work of some demon by how badly his body was beaten.
"The King is on his way back, as is the Queen Mother," Lottie continued. "There are extra guards surrounding the castle today, orders from the Royal Advisor. He asks that you not leave the castle, either."
Trunks let out a small scoff from beside Pan. "I won't, Lottie," Pan said. "And Trunks is keeping me company today so that I won't be alone."
Lottie gave a nod before she rushed off down the hallway. Pan watched her disappear and glanced around the hall, making sure no other maids were around before she turned towards Trunks.
"I've never been called a demon before," Trunks muttered.
His free hand reached up, and he stopped it short, almost afraid that Pan would pull away from him. She didn't, though. Those hands, despite what they did to others, had never harmed her. Those hands always caressed her and made her feel special.
"Why?" Pan asked as Trunks tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"He hurt you," Trunks answered. "I won't let anyone hurt you," he promised.
Pan let out a small breath as she took a step forward and leaned on the tips of her toes to kiss him. She pulled away to see Trunks looking at her in surprise. "One of these days, I'm going to be the one protecting you," she promised him. It wasn't the first time she had told him that, and she was sure it wouldn't be her last.
Early Fall
Chi-Chi let out a small sigh as she walked through the stone maze behind the castle. She had just finished visiting the mausoleum where Goku's remains rested. She always tried her best to visit him often and to tell him what was going on.
Giggling caught Chi-Chi's attention, and she slowed her pace. She knew those giggles- that was Pan.
"Shh," a rougher, deeper voice fought back a laugh. That was Trunks.
Chi-Chi peeked around the edge of the next corner. Pan had her back pressed up against the stone wall. Trunks was in front of her. His arm stretched out as his hand rested on the wall beside her head. He was leaning over her, and his other hand, he held a crown of flowers.
"You always do this," he told her as he held up the flower crown.
Pan giggled again, her eyes shining with mirth as she grinned up at Trunks. "You look so cute when you sleep. I can't help myself-" she shrugged.
"At least I didn't get caught with it on my head this time. Endou still teases me about it."
Pan's giggles didn't quiet down. "What are you going to do if I don't stop? Are you going to punish me?"
Chi-Chi's eyes widened at the brazen talk. Who knew her daughter was so bold! Even Trunks seemed to be somewhat surprised. His cheeks turned pink, and he cleared his throat several times.
"You know-" his voice cracked before he cleared his throat again. "Everyone says that I'm the mischievous one, but Princess, it's you," he said seriously.
"Only around you," Pan mumbled. "I can only be this way to you."
"Good," Trunks said. He placed the flower crown of little daisies on the top of his head. He grabbed Pan's chin and tilted her face up to meet his, and Chi-Chi saw how her daughter's pale face grew with color. "Don't ever talk like that to anyone else," he said.
"I won't," Pan promised before Trunks leaned down and kissed her.
Chi-Chi watched them for a few seconds, embracing each other and kissing. They were so young, and she could tell by the way they gazed at each other that they were already in love.
With a small sigh, Chi-Chi turned away, so she wasn't intruding. She walked the long way around to the castle slowly. All too well could she remember a time when Goku had kissed her in the stone maze. The ache in her heart pounded. It never went away, though some days were better than others.
She missed the days when her family was whole. When Goku would walk through the gardens with her, and hold her hand. When Goten and Pan would run through the castle playing, and Gohan's laugh was so carefree.
If Chi-Chi had known those days had been numbered, she would have treasured them more. She didn't know precisely where Goten was, but she had her suspicions that he had somehow found out the truth about his father. Chi-Chi wasn't sure how Goten was blending in with the Saiyans, but she prayed that he was safe. She was desperately waiting for him to return.
It had been over a decade since Goku had passed, and Chi-Chi still felt as if she were dreaming. Sometimes, late at night or certain parts of the day, she could almost feel 211him there beside her again. She wished more than anything that he would come back.
Pan walked beside Gohan as they went to the entrance hall. They had a guest today that Gohan was eager to see. It was someone who had known their father when he was younger, and Gohan met him a few times when he was a small boy. The old friend of their father's no longer lived on earth, though, and so it had been a while since he had last visited. When he had asked permission for him and his daughter to visit, Gohan had quickly accepted.
"His daughter is just a few years older than you are, I believe," Gohan told Pan. "She was born after the last time I was able to see him."
"Where does he live now?" Pan asked curiously.
"On his wife's home planet, I can't remember the name of it-" Gohan placed a hand on his chin as he knitted his eyebrows together. "I want to say it has something to do with metal, though."
They entered the entrance hall, and Pan's eyes widened as she looked at their guest. The man was short, with balding pepper-colored hair. He had wide eyes and a friendly smile as he spotted Gohan. It was the girl beside him that made Pan freeze in her steps. It was her. Marron. Trunks' fiancée. Her blue eyes were wide as she looked at Pan.
"Gohan!" The short man called with a loud laugh.
Gohan seemed froze for a moment, and Pan glanced up at him to see that he was looking at Marron as well. His cheeks had gone a faint pink, and Pan blinked. Did Gohan find Marron cute? She had never seen him freeze up like that before in front of a woman.
"Krillin!" Gohan managed to find his voice.
He met Krillin halfway for a hug, and they pulled back, their arms around each other.
"You're taller than me now," Krillin teased with a laugh.
"Yeah," Gohan chuckled. "This is my little sister, Pan-" he held out his arm to her.
Pan gave Krillin a polite smile and bowed her head. She tried her best not to stare at Marron, knowing it would be rude and awkward.
"It's nice to meet you, Princess," Krillin bowed back politely. "This is my daughter, Marron."
"It's nice to meet you," she smiled with a bow.
"You too," Gohan whispered.
Krillin nudged him with a grin. "She's a beauty, huh? Takes after her mother."
"Dad," Marron mumbled as her cheeks grew pink.
Gohan cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his head as he laughed. "How about we go catch up? Pan, how about you show Marron the gardens?"
Pan's eyes widened, but before she could say anything, Gohan was walking off with Krillin. Then, it was just Marron and Pan in the entranceway.
"Um," Pan said gently. "The garden is this way-" she turned quickly.
She started to go before she stopped and looked back, to wait for Marron to catch up. Marron gave her a grateful smile, and Pan couldn't help but return it. It was strange how calm she felt while walking next to Marron when just last season, she had grown jealous at the sight of seeing her.
It wasn't until they were in the garden, away from any lingering ears that Marron spoke. "That idiot," she said with a loud huff. "He didn't tell me he was seeing the Princess!" She gasped as she looked at Pan.
Pan felt herself smiling. "Surprise," she said gently.
Marron let out a heavy sigh. "It's a surprise, alright, but I'm happy I finally got to meet you," she smiled warmly.
Pan could tell by the tone of Marron's voice and the look in her eyes that she was genuine. "I am, too," she smiled. "Trunks told me that you were the one that talked him into coming back to see me. Thank you," she said sincerely. She wasn't sure what she would have done if Trunks hadn't come back. He was such a special person to her now that she didn't think she would be able to cope if he ever left again.
"Trunks is one of my best friends," Marron said gently. "I am a hundred percent truthful when I say the deepest feelings I have ever felt for Trunks is aggravation. He's like a brother to me."
Pan felt herself giggling. "He seems to be good at that- aggravating, that is."
"Most definitely," Marron nodded before she grinned slyly. "But I have a feeling he does anything but aggravate you, huh?"
Pan felt her face growing warm, and Marron laughed.
"I saw the way he looked at you, you know," she continued. "That boy is such a goner," Marron snickered. "But, I think you are too when it comes to him, huh?"
Pan's lips tugged into a grin. "I'm grateful that I met him," she said honestly. "He's become someone very special to me, and I'm glad that I met you too. There's a clearing on the east side of the castle with a stream and waterfall. I can get a maid to pack us up a lunch. Would you like to go there?"
"I'd love to," Marron smiled.
Pan was trying to control her giggled when she felt Trunks arrive. He walked out of the clearing with a grin. "Hey Panna-" his smile fell when he spotted Marron, who was sitting beside Pan on the blanket. His eyes widened in horror, and he gasped. "YOU!" He pointed at her.
"Me?!" Marron shot back. "Why didn't you tell me she was the Princess?!"
"Why are you here?" Trunks demanded as he ignored Marron's question.
"My Dad is from the earth, remember?" She asked him with a glare. "He knew the late King personally and is friends with the current one."
Trunks let out a groan. "Why you of all people?!" He asked as he fell to the ground beside Pan. "She already had to listen to Endou and Eomma talk about me. I can only imagine what you've said," he muttered.
"Nothing that wasn't true," Marron huffed.
Pan's lips were twitching in amusement. She could see it in the way that they bannered with each other that they genuinely did care about each other, but it was in a platonic way. Her worried about Marron was long gone after meeting her and properly talking to her. Plus, Trunks was sitting right beside her, his arm resting just behind her back as he pulled her closer to him.
"She's a bad person to hang out with, Panna," Trunks whispered in her ear. Pan felt herself shivering as her hoarse voice ghosted down her neck. "Really. She's a bad influence."
"Ha!" Marron snorted. "You're the delinquent!"
Pan grinned and turned to face Trunks. He was still leaning down, so he was just a few inches away from her. "Marron is one of best friends now, so don't talk about her like that."
Marron let out a laugh as Trunks pouted. "But what about me? I'm your boyfriend!" He muttered with a huff as he pulled away from her. His pouting only lasted a few seconds before he laid down, his head on Pan's lap.
Pan smiled and ran her hands through his hair as his eyes closed peacefully. Her and Marron started talking about flowers- which they had been talking about before Trunks had arrived. Pan thought that maybe one day, Bulla could visit her too, and Goten could come back. Then, she would be really happy, and everything would be the way it should be.
"His blue eyes had more darkness than any brown eyes I'd ever seen before."
-Unknown