26- A Bitter Goodbye

Winter

Trunks arrived in Pan's room to the sound of her tearing apart her closet. He stepped over to the open door and peeked inside and saw a mess of clothes lying on the floor. It had been about a week since she had recovered from her sickness, and Trunks was glad to see that she seemed to have so much energy.

"What are you doing?" He asked curiously.

"I'm looking for my winter stuff," Pan answered without even glancing his way. "It's snowing!" She grinned as she finally looked at him.

"So?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I want to go outside and play in it!" Pan said.

Trunks frowned and shook his head. "You just got over a cold. Don't you think you need to stay inside for a bit?"

Pan let out a scoff and waved her hand. "I haven't run any fever in over a week," she told him. "Plus, I'm gonna bundle up real warm."

Trunks let out a sigh and stepped into her closet. He picked up a hat from the floor and plopped it onto her head. "You better be layered up," he told her.

Pan giggled, "you're so bossy," she teased.

"I'm not bossy," he smirked. "I'm protective," he said as he leaned down to kiss her.

Pan ignored Trunks' knowing stare as she sniffed. She wasn't sick. She was just a little cold, that's all. After spending a few hours out in the snow, Trunks had forced her to come in to warm up. They went into a small study in the North Wing of the castle where a large sofa laid in front of a fireplace. Trunks started the fire, and Pan knew that soon, she would be growing warm.

"Here," Trunks handed her a cup a maid had just delivered.

"Ah!" Pan grinned as she took the mug of hot chocolate in her hands. She let out a sigh as she held it up to her lips.

"You know, with as excited as you get over food and drinks, one would think you're a Saiyan," Trunks chuckled.

"Do I?" Pan raised an eyebrow curiously.

Trunks nodded with a smile. "I can always tell when you're eating something you like. You smile, and sometimes you hum."

Pan felt her cheeks growing warm, but she smiled. "I appreciate good food. Where's your mug?" She asked.

"Here," Trunks moved his arm to show her the mug sitting on the table beside him.

"Did you get hot chocolate too?"

"That's too sweet for me," Trunks chuckled. "And I get plenty of sweetness from you," he smirked.

Pan's cheeks grew warmer, and Trunks wrapped an arm around her to pull her against his side. It was quiet as they enjoyed each other's company and their beverages. Pan had only drunk half of her hot chocolate before Trunks took it out of her hands since she kept dozing off.

Pan let out a peaceful sigh and snuggled down, so her head was resting on Trunks' lap. His hands were brushing through her hair and lulling her asleep. The fire was roaring in the hearth and crackling. The room was warm and cozy, and Pan wished the moment could last forever.

"Panna," Trunks whispered.

"Hm?" She hummed.

"I'm going to have to leave to go on a raid in two weeks."

Pan opened her eyes and stared at the bright fire. She had the strangest urge and desire to touch the flames. She knew it was crazy, so she turned her head away from the fire and up at Trunks. He was looking at her with a gentle expression on his face.

"How long will you be gone?"

Trunks let out a heavy sigh. His shoulders sagged, and Pan felt her gut twist. She knew it would be a long one.

"Frieza says until Mid-Spring."

Pan jolted up as her eyes widened. "Mid-Spring?!" It was just now only Mid-Winter! He would be gone for almost an entire season.

"I know," Trunks reached out and cupped her face. He wiped away the stubborn tears that were leaking out of her eyes. "It's a big planet, with many different territories, and Frieza wants them all," he muttered. "My squadron isn't the only one going. There's about a dozen of us all going. I promise you, Panna, I'll work hard to get back to you as soon as possible."

Pan sniffed and nodded her head slowly. "I know you will."

Pan hugged Trunks tightly as she willed herself not to cry. Her body was already shaking from keeping it together. He was about to depart for his raid and was dressed in his armor, which made Pan want to cry more because it was hitting her just what he was about to do. Trunks was strong, and she trusted him when he said he would come back, but she still worried.

Trunks held her tightly. His lips brushed her hairline. Pan blinked her hot eyes as she sniffed. She leaned back to look at him and held up her hand as she stretched her pinky out.

"You promise to come back?" She whispered.

Trunks looped a pinky around hers. "I promise. I'll be running back to you."

Pan sniffed and pulled off the ring on her thumb. It was a silver ring, one she had found at a market a year ago. The metal of the ring was designed into shapes of flowers, and it went all the way around the ring. Pan grabbed Trunks' hand and looked at it. His fingers were long and slender, and she slid the ring on his pinky finger. It fit perfectly, and she smiled up at him.

She wouldn't be able to make him any flower crowns until Spring. "Think about me when you look at it, okay?" She asked him.

"I won't ever stop thinking about you," he told her quietly as he leaned down and kissed her.

The kiss ended quickly, and Pan fought back her tears as Trunks stroked her cheek one last time before he left. Pan let out a shaky breath as she stood alone in her room. She knew this time would be different than last Winter. She knew without a doubt that Trunks would come back to her, but she was still worried. Saiyans were strong, but not invincible.

Pan wipes her cheeks as she sniffed and slowly walked over to her bed and sat down. Several of Trunks' shirts were on her bed, as well as a blanket of his. Pan knew it had been a silly request, but she asked him to bring them so she could have something with his scent on it while he was gone. Slowly, Pan picked up the blanket and held it against her chest as she laid down. It would be a long season without Trunks; she would be counting down the days until he came back.

Early Spring

Marron looked around with a small smile. The castle on Earth was just as beautiful as she remembered it. She stood in the guest hall, waiting for the King, who the servant had quickly run to tell of her presence. Marron hadn't even had time enough to say that she was there for the Princess before the servant ran off, and she felt like it would be rude of herself to wander off.

The doors opened, and Marron turned her head just in time to catch a glance of the person entering. As soon as she saw them, they disappeared, and she was left blinking, wondering if she imagined things. Quickly, Marron rushed to the doors and peeked down the halls rapidly, but they were empty with no sign of anyone passing by.

Marron furrowed her brows as she stepped back inside the guest hall. It was strange, for a small moment she thought she had seen- "Impossible," she muttered to herself with a shake of her head. Her Uncle was across the universe. He couldn't be on Earth.

"You know, they say things are only impossible if you believe they are."

Marron gasped and turned around to see the King had entered the room. She felt her cheeks growing warm in embarrassment from being caught talking to herself, and she let out a small laugh. The King didn't look like he was that much older than Marron, maybe ten years or so. The first time she had seen him, she had felt as if her heart had been squeezed. He was handsome. His dark eyes were filled with such kindness that Marron never wanted to stop looking at them. His dark hair, although styled neatly, seemed to have a mind of its own at the top and stuck up.

"Your Majesty," Marron bower her head to him.

"Please, call me Gohan," he said softly. "You're a friend," he smiled.

Marron could feel her heartbeat in her ears. Her stomach felt light and fluttery. She had never felt this way about a man before, and she wasn't sure how to act, especially since he was a King and Pan's brother.

"What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Gohan asked. He was still smiling at her, and he kept himself several a respectable distance away.

Marron tried her best to look natural as she smiled at him. Her Mother would be scolding her for feeling like a hormonal teenager if she was there. 'I still am a teenager, Mother,' she snapped to the invisible Eighteen. Though she would turn twenty this Summer, the season her Mother was wanting to push for the wedding.

Marron pushed all those thoughts to the back of her mind as she looked at Gohan. She felt herself relaxing at the sight of him. For some reason, she felt as if she could be herself around him, and not some perfect person her Mother always made her act like.

"I'm here to see the Princess," she said gently. "I hope she's around?"

Gohan's eyes widened slightly before he chuckled. "Of course," he said quietly. "She's out in her clearing, I believe. She said something about planting some flowers. May I walk there?"

Marron knew where the clearing was. Pan had shown it to her last time, but she didn't the Gohan that. She smiled, "please."

He walked over to her and held out his arm. Marron's heart was beating quickly as she took his offered arm. Trunks and Endou had offered their arms to her before, but they were friends. Gohan, he was a man, and she felt like a woman holding onto him.

"You know," Gohan said after they had stepped out of the castle. "I'm kind of disappointed that you're here to visit Pan today."

Marron's ears were ringing. Was he flirting with her? Maybe she was reading too much into it. "I'm sorry to disappoint you," she said gently as her cheeks burned. Perhaps he thought it was rude of her not wanting to see him first?

Gohan laughed, and she looked up at him. He had a beautiful laugh. "Maybe I can convince you to come to see me next time. Do you like tea?"

"I-I do," she nodded slowly.

"Well, next time you come, if it's okay with you, we can have tea in one of the libraries. Your Father said you liked to read some of the older literature, and we've got plenty of it here if you want to look at them."

"I would love to!" Marron gasped in excitement.

Gohan chuckled, "it's a date, then."

Marron felt her whole body grow warm. A date? That meant that it would just be the two of them. Did he want to go on a date with her? "I would like that," Marron said quietly.

Gohan stopped on a familiar trail as a small opening came into view. Marron knew Pan was beyond that opening. She was excited to see her friend, but also sad to tell Gohan goodbye.

Slowly, he pulled his arm away, and his hand grabbed her hand. He gave her knuckles a kiss that sent Marron's knees to grow weak. "Until next time then," he said with a smile.

Marron swallowed hard. She couldn't find her voice as she nodded her head. She watched as Gohan turned around and started to walk back to the castle. He turned around a few times to give her a small and wave before he disappeared. Marron let out a trembling breath and grabbed her chest that was still beating like crazy. It would be even harder to do what she had come to do now.

Pan wiped her hands on the apron she had on before she picked up a small flower and gently tugged it out of the plastic container it was in. She placed it in the hole she had just dug before using her gardening shovel to push the dirt back around the flower.

The weather was finally warm enough for Pan to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. She was thankful for it because it gave her a chance to garden and keep her mind busy, so she didn't think of Trunks. Only her Mama and Dr. Brief knew exactly where he was and what he was doing. Gohan and Yamcha just thought he was off visiting a sick relative.

Pan let out a small sigh as she looked at her work so far. She had several flowers planted, and a few other bushes still left to plant. The work wasn't bad, although a little time consuming, she liked it since it kept her busy.

"Can I help?"

Pan turned around and gasped as Marron stood a few feet away from her. "Marron!" She grinned.

"Hi," she smiled as she walked over to Pan and got down on the ground beside her. "I hope it's okay that I've come for a visit."

"Of course!" Pan nodded quickly. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," Marron said with a laugh. "Can I help?"

"I don't mind," Pan said with a small frown. "But I would hate for your dress to get all dirty. I didn't bring an extra apron with me."

"Don't worry about it," Marron said. "It's washable. We don't have many plants like this on Saibogu, so I would love to get my hands dirty!"

"Okay then," Pan giggled as she handed Marron the garden shovel. "I would appreciate the help."

The two gardened for several hours before the job was done. With sighs, they went to the bank of the stream and washed their hands. Pan frowned as she saw some blisters on her hands. Her Mama always told her she should wear gloves, but Pan didn't like the way it made her hands feel stuffy.

Marron let out a small sigh. "I heard Trunks is on a long raid," she said quietly as she dried her hands with the clean part of her dress.

Pan nodded slowly. "He should be back any week now," she said hopefully. She missed him so much. Her heart ached to see him again.

Marron let out another sigh, and Pan could see it in her dark blue eyes. Something was troubling her. "Marron?" She asked gently. "Is everything okay?"

"Actually," she began. "I came here today to say goodbye."

Pan froze as her stomach dropped. "What do you mean?" She whispered.

Marron let out a small breath. "My Mother will not quit trying to get me to marry Trunks. It hasn't been officially announced yet, but I know it's a matter of time before Trunks' parents call it off. My Mother can sense that, and she's become even worse in the last several weeks. She has plans to try to win the Saiyans over, and I can't do that," she said with a heavy sigh. "The only way to get my Mother to quit is for me to go."

"Go?" Pan gasped. "Go where? Marron, you can't leave!" She shook her head.

Marron smiled and reached over to pat Pan's head. "It's okay. I won't be gone forever. Just until things calm down."

Pan reached up and grabbed Marron's hand as she shook her head. She could feel her eyes growing hot. "Please! We can think of something. You don't have to go-"

"Pan," Marron squeezed her hand. "The truth is, I've been selfish."

"What?" Pan whispered.

"I've known for years that Trunks wasn't in love with me, but I kept telling myself that it was okay. We were friends. We could make a marriage work. Then, you came into the picture, and I could see how much he cares for you," Marron said gently. "Still, I thought, it's okay. I- I didn't want to be alone, and so I hung on. Then, I met you too."

"Marron-" Pan sniffed. "Please," she begged. "You don't have to go."

"I do," she sighed. "I care about you and Trunks, my two dear friends, being happy more than I fear my Mother."

Marron wrapped her arms around Pan. Both of them were crying.

"How long will you be gone?" Pan croaked.

"Not too long," Marron promised. "Long enough for my Mother to calm down."

"You can always stay here with me," Pan whispered. "You don't have to go."

Marron pulled away and smiled at Pan through her tears. "I couldn't put your Kingdom in jeopardy like that in case my Mother came looking for me here. I'll see you again, Panny," she promised.

Pan sniffed as she wiped her eyes. She believed Marron but saying goodbye was still so hard.

Trunks sighed as he walked into the castle on Vegeta-Sei. After almost a season of being gone, he was home. His body ached and was bruised all over, but that wouldn't stop him from seeing Pan. As soon as he went to go wash up and change, she was the first one he was going to see.

"Oppa!"

Trunks turned to see Bulla running up to him, and he smiled. "Hey, Bu, I'm surprised you're not going to go see-"

"Oppa-" her voice trembled a bit, and Trunks' stomach dropped.

"What's wrong?" He asked quietly. His mind was running wild. Was someone hurt? Had someone hurt Bulla?

"Bulla, I'll tell him."

Trunks turned to see their Appa walking towards them. He had a serious look on his face, one that Trunks knew that he meant business. Bulla sniffed and nodded before turning around.

"Let's go to my study," Vegeta told Trunks before he started to lead the way.

Trunks' gut felt empty as he followed his Appa. "Is- Where's Eomma?" He asked with worry. She hadn't been on the dock to greet them like usual. Was something wrong with her?!

"She's in her lab," Vegeta grunted. "She's pissed at me, 'cause I ordered her to stay there while I talked to you."

Trunks swallowed hard. As they entered Vegeta's study and the door closed behind them softly. Trunks watched as his Appa walked over to his desk and leaned against it.

"Marron's ran away," Vegeta stared bluntly.

Trunks' eyes widened. "What?" He gasped. "What do you mean she ran away?"

Vegeta shrugged his shoulders, "just as I said. She's gone. She left a note with Eighteen saying she didn't want to get married and disappeared. No one knows where she went. That damn Cyborg was here for almost a week looking for her."

Trunks couldn't shut his mouth. Why did she run away? Was she stupid! They were working on figuring out a plan to stop their wedding! She didn't have to leave!

"So-" Vegeta said. "It leaves me to say this." He let out a very heavy breath. "You're engagement with Marron is officially called off. Your Eomma and I ordered it. You are now free to choose whomever you want as your Bride and your Mate. I know this is something that I should have given you much sooner," he said quietly.

Trunks blinked as he fell back into a chair in front of his Appa's desk. His engagement with Marron was officially over. He could marry whomever he wanted. His heart ran wild. He could marry Pan.

"Trunks," Vegeta called to him. "I do want to warn you, though. Falling for an Earthling is risky."

Trunks gasped as he looked up at Vegeta. "You know?" He whispered.

"That the one you've been sneaking off to go see for the last year is on Earth?" Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I know," he nodded. "As I was saying, falling for a human is risky. Bonding with them-"

"You don't even know her," Trunks shook as he stood up. "You just said I could choose myself, and now-"

"Brat, will you let me finish?!" Vegeta huffed at him.

Trunks narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.

Vegeta snorted and rolled his eyes. "As I was saying- bonding with a human is risky for us. When we bond, we bond very deeply, and humans don't have that kind of nature. Still," he said quietly. "A human can love just as deep as any Saiyan can."

Trunks' eyes widened slightly. "You know, it's weird hearing you say something nice about humans." Usually, he muttered about the Earthlings and the Earth.

"I don't like how dumb most of them are," Vegeta rolled his eyes. "But there's a few-" he nodded slowly. "A few that make up for all."

Trunks smiled, "so if I choose her. Will you accept?"

"I'm not the one that's going to be mated to her, so I don't care," Vegeta said. "But, I would like to meet this girl before you marry."

"It's not my fault that you leave every time I bring her over," Trunks said.

"It's not mine either," Vegeta grunted.

Trunks snorted as he smiled. "You'll like her, Appa," he promised.

Trunks landed in the wooded area right outside the clearing. He was barely able to contain his excitement. After a long season, he was finally getting to see Pan. He thought briefly whether or not to tell her about Marron, but decided against it for the time being. He would tell her about it another time.

"Trunks!" Pan yelled.

The sound of her voice called his heart to go into overdrive. He rushed into the clearing and had only taken a few steps before he was tackled. For such a small thing, Pan had nearly made him fall, but he managed to catch her as he held her tightly.

"Oh my stars, I've missed you!" He grabbed her face to kiss her, and he knew that one day, she would be his bride.

"I look at her sometimes and wonder out of all the faces in the world how did I find one that was so perfect for me."
-Atticus