Mysterious Beauty
Chapter 9: More Surprises
By Lady Starra
Rating: PG-13
presea94@netscape.net
See foreword for standard disclaimers.
I am REALLY sorry it took forever for me to finish this. I've started working
again and it's really been taking a lot out of me, so I really haven't had
the time or the energy to write. But here it is at last! It came out a lot
differently than what I had originally planned, but I tend to do that a lot
when I'm writing. ^^; Please give me feedback!
"You gonna be okay?" Goten asked Trunks as they walked back into the palace.
"No. I'm never going to 'be okay' with the fact that she doesn't love me. If
this is what love is supposed to feel like...then I don't want it," Trunks
muttered, as he walked towards the direction of his room.
"Look...try and get some sleep. You'll probably feel better in the morning."
"I doubt that."
Goten was afraid Trunks might get lost in the huge palace, but Trunks had a
pretty good sense of direction, although he didn't care if he made it to his
room that night or not. He didn't care about anything.
When he heard footsteps and voices in the next corridor, he hid behind a
pillar and kept quiet. He just didn't want to see anyone right now.
It was Gohan and Videl, carrying an exhausted Pan to her room.
"She's gotten so heavy," Trunks heard Gohan say. "She's becoming more like
her older self every day. She's even letting her hair grow longer."
"Yes, I know. You should see her when we're training. Trying to do everything
that Mirai Pan does. She's becoming a woman right before our eyes," Videl
said. "And lately...I can't help thinking..."
"Thinking about what?" hhe asked when she paused.
"Well...Mirai Pan and Mirai Trunks love each other, and you told me that
they're lifemates. So, I wonder...does that mean...well, are the Pan and
Trunks of our world lifemates as well?"
Trunks felt his breath catch as he stood silently in his hiding spot. Gohan
didn't know what to say. He hadn't even thought of the possibility of that.
"I'm not sure, Videl. But...Trunks would make a good husband for her, I
suppose."
"Gohan, Trunks is so much older than she is. Don't you think it would be a
bit odd?"
Gohan sighed. "I remember Vegeta once telling me that back when his father
ruled, it wasn't unusual for a Saiyajin to take a younger mate. It was
because the male population was much higher the female population. Pan and
Trunks ARE both Saiyajin, after all."
"I guess so. But...let's not talk about things like this right now. Pan has
her whole life ahead of her, I can't even picture my little girl being
someone's wife, period, let alone Trunks' wife," Videl sighed.
Gohan laughed.
That was the last thing Trunks heard when he quietly slipped out from behind
the pillar and finally found the way to his room. Slowly, he undressed and
fell into bed, not even bothering with the night garments that were left for
him.
He closed his eyes, remembering the way she tasted when he kissed her, the
softness of her lips, what her body felt like in his arms. He couldn't get it
out of his mind, couldn't get HER out of his mind. He suddenly had a
flashback of Gohan and Videl's conversation.
'I wonder...are the Pan and Trunks of our world lifemates as well?'
Sighing deeply, he stared up at the ceiling.
'If you truly are in love with Son Pan...wait for her.'
Kami, he did love her. But he didn't want to love Pan just because of her
future self. It wouldn't be fair to her. Not only that, but she was years
younger.
'Love has no limits...'
Her own words.
'Trunks would make a good husband for her, I suppose.'
It had shocked Trunks to hear Gohan say that. But the age difference was
still a problem for Trunks. He couldn't see himself dating anyone younger
than eighteen, and even in that aspect, Pan still had a long way to go.
He needed some release from all this. Sitting up, he looked at the control
pad on his nightstand and hit one of the buttons. He knew there were servants
that were still cleaning up, so it would be no problem getting a hold of one.
"Yes, sir?" a voice over the intercom asked.
"Bring me some wine. And lots of it."
* * *
Morning came all too soon. The queen of Dahlia-sei sat up in her bed, looking
down at her lover and soon-to-be king who slept naked under the sheets. Gods,
how she loved him. She leaned down, pressing her bare chest against his,
kissing him lightly on the lips. He smiled, wrapping his arms around her,
then pulling her down on the bed so he now hovered over her. He kissed her
neck and earlobes, and she reveled in the warmth of his kisses.
"I love you," she whispered.
"Hmm...do you? Then prove it to me, my queen..."
"I have. Countless times, last night."
"I'm still not convinced," he smirked.
"Trunks. We have to get up. Everyone's meeting in the gardens for brunch this
morning," she told him.
"But, darling...this bed is so comfy. I don't think I could get up if I
wanted to."
"Humph. Well, suit yourself, but I need to get up."
She tried to sit up but he wouldn't let her.
"Please, my darling?" he said playfully.
"Trunks, I have important political matters to attend to. And I can't do that
on an empty stomach, so I can't afford to miss brunch. Now let me up so I can
bathe and get ready."
"Hmm...a bath. That sounds wonderful, Your Majesty." He scooped her up in his
arms and headed for the bathroom.
"Trunks! What do you think you're doing?"
"You should be happy. I'm out of bed now, aren't I?"
She sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"
Smirking, he set her down and turned on the bath water. "You're going to
bathe with me."
* * *
The weather was perfect for eating outside. The servants had set up tables
and enough chairs for the queen and her guests, and like the previous night,
enough food for at least fifteen Saiyajin fighters was brought out. However,
there was one person missing.
"Where's Trunks?" Bulma asked Goten.
"I don't know. Maybe he got lost or something, the palace is really huge.
I'll go check on him. Save some food for me, Tousan!" Goten said to Goku
before leaving for Trunks' chambers.
'I hope he's doing all right,' Mirai Pan thought, worried that perhaps he
took the events of the previous night too hard. It felt terrible, having to
break his heart in such a way...
'Don't worry about it, love,' Mirai Trunks told her telepathically. 'You
didn't do anything wrong.'
'I know. But I'm still worried,' she answered.
'He'll be fine. Trust me.'
* * *
Goten pounded on Trunks' door.
"Trunks! You in there?"
He found that the door was unlocked and walked in. Trunks was still in bed.
He looked on the nightstand, noting the empty wine bottles, and sighed.
'Oi, Trunks. Guess he got pretty hammered last night. He doesn't know how to
deal with the pain. Poor guy.'
"Yo, Trunks. Wake up," he said, shaking him. "TRUNKS!" Frustrated, he grabbed
the glass on the nightstand and filled it with cold water. "Hey, Trunks! Get
up!" Goten splashed the cold water in his face, finally getting a reaction.
"C-Cold!" Trunks cried, shivering. "Goten! You baka, why did..." That's when
he felt it. "Owwwww..." He brought his hands to his temples and fell back on
the bed. "My head..."
"Well, that's to be expected after drinking three bottles of wine, Trunks.
The wine on earth might not have done this to you...but the stuff on this
planet is a little more potent."
"Aggghhh...Goten, I...I don't feel so good."
"And there you have it."
Before Trunks knew it, he was in the bathroom, vomiting in the toilet.
"This isn't a good time for you to be throwing up, Trunks. Everyone's at
brunch wondering where you are," Goten said.
"Tell them I'm sick."
"You mean hung over."
"No, sick. Tell them I'm SICK."
* * *
"Sick?" Bulma said in surprise. "But he's never been sick a day in his life!"
"Well, he is now, apparently. He was throwing up in the bathroom," Goten
said.
"Shouldn't we get him a doctor?" Bulma asked.
"I know. I'LL make him feel better!" Young Pan said with a smile, standing up.
"You?" Vegeta said, looking oddly at the child.
"Hai! I can do it with magic!"
"Can not!" Bra said, sticking out her tongue.
"Can TOO! Mirai Pan taught me how!" Pan said, sticking her tongue out in
return.
"Nani?! You mean that magic can heal sickness?" Vegeta asked, stunned.
"Hai, Vegeta-san! Just you wait. Trunks will be down here before you know it!
Uncle Goten, show me to his room, please?" Pan said.
Goten looked confused. "She knows what she's doing," Mirai Pan said. "Go on.
Take her to Trunks."
* * *
"Trunks! Ohayo!"
Trunks opened his eyes, surprised to see the Young Pan standing there.
"Pan-chan...what are you doing here? I'm kind of sick."
"I know. I've come to make you feel better."
He blinked in confusion.
"What's wrong with you, Trunks?" she asked.
"I...have a really bad headache Pan-chan."
"And he threw up," Goten added, and Trunks glared at him.
"I can make you feel better, Trunks."
He sighed. "Thanks, Pan-chan, but I don't think..."
Before he could say anything else, she was at his side and held her hand to
his forehead. Trunks and Goten watched in fascination as the healing light
appeared in her hand and overtook Trunks' body. After several seconds, the
light faded.
Trunks was astonished. He felt a hundred percent better. No headache, no
nausea. What had she done?
"Pan-chan...how...how did you do that?" he asked her.
"Magic, Trunks. It's part of my training."
"That was...incredible, Pan-chan," he said, amazed at how energized he felt.
"Then you feel better?"
"Much better."
"I'm so glad!" she giggled, hugging him. "Now that you're feeling better, get
dressed so you can eat with us!"
* * *
Very reluctantly, Trunks dressed and went with Goten and Pan to the gardens.
He didn't want to face Mirai Pan right now. He didn't think he could. Not
after making such a fool out of himself. He probably would have stayed in his
room if he hadn't been so hungry.
"Well, glad you could make it, Trunks. Feeling better?" his mother asked him.
"Um, yeah," Trunks said as he took the seat next to Goten's, not even looking
Mirai Pan's way.
"What was wrong with you anyway, boy?" Vegeta asked.
"Just the flu or something," Trunks lied as he began eating his breakfast.
'It was stupid of me to come here,' he thought. 'Now I have to stay on this
planet for a whole bloody year and watch her marry someone else.'
"Now that everyone is here," Mirai Goten spoke up, "Bra-chan and I have an
announcement to make."
'Here we go,' Goten thought. Everyone looked curiously at Mirai Goten as they
stood from their seats.
"Bra-chan and I...well..."
"Goten proposed to me last night," Mirai Bra finished, and with that, gasps
and squeals of joy filled the air. In a split second Mirai Pan was out of her
seat and hugging her uncle and best friend.
"Oh, Bra-chan! Uncle Goten, congratulations!"
"And about time, too!" Kara laughed as she hugged them as well.
Everyone else except Bulma, Vegeta and Goten just looked on in amazement. Did
they just hear right? Goten...and Bra? Engaged? Soon to be MARRIED?
"Oh, my," Chichi said, feeling the tears in her eyes. "My son...oh, this is
so wonderful!" She excitedly got up and also hugged Mirai Goten. "Finally,
you've become a man! I'm so proud of you!"
Mirai Goten blushed furiously. "Thank you, Kaasan."
Trunks couldn't believe it. Goten and his sister? The age gap between them
was the same as him and Pan. He wanted to yell at Mirai Goten for this.
But...seeing his "older" sister's radiant smile...he could feel her happiness.
After all, she had no one else in this world. It wasn't until last night, when
Mirai Pan described the events of the past, when he realized how difficult it
must of been for all three of them to lose their family. However...Trunks
didn't want anymore weird surprises for the rest of this trip.
Mirai Pan lifted her juice glass and made a toast.
"To Bra-chan and Uncle Goten. Health and happiness forever!"
"To Bra and Goten!"
Once all of the excitement died down and everyone congratulated the couple,
brunch was resumed, and Chichi and Bulma began talking of wedding plans and
other odds and ends, with Kara explaining to them what a traditional Dahlian
wedding was like.
"Lutz, Aron, we have to make a plan to retreive the people from Trunks' world
as soon as possible. I want us to be ready within the week," Mirai Pan told
them.
"Your Majesty, since you will be transporting such a large group of people, I
must suggest that Lutz accompany you," Aron said.
"I suppose that would be best. The more power we can get the better. I don't
want to make more than one trip if we don't have to. Let's meet this
afternoon to discuss it more. And Aron, after brunch, I am requesting that
you take Trunks' mother to Techna so she can meet Maia and the other
scientists."
"Of course, Your Majesty, I'd be happy to."
"Thank you. And Lutz, when we get Trunks' people here, you, Crys and Kara can
begin training Young Pan and my mother. Let them kick back and have some fun
first. The people from Trunks' world coming here takes priority over everything,
even my own wedding," she said.
"We understand. And when DO you plan to announce your engagement, if you
don't mind my asking?" Lutz said.
"Once we get them here and settled in."
* * *
It was a great week for the Sons and the Briefs. Young Bra finally got to go
to the marketplace, and she ended up going back every single day. They all
went back to the Cille Islands to swim and have fun on the beach, and even
visited the neighboring planet, Azura, which had many amusement parks and
tourist-type places. It was a vacation they would never forget, that was for
sure.
Trunks went along with them, although he was much less enthusiastic than the
others. He did everything he could to keep his mind off of Mirai Pan...but it
didn't help. Her face still appeared in his mind, and she still invaded his dreams
at night. He would have been much better off staying on Earth and doing
paperwork for Capsule Corporation.
Bulma, however, didn't kick back as much as she would have liked. Once she
had gone to Techna, Dahlia's scientific facility, she was in love. The people
of Dahlia-sei were extremely intelligent, and she had quickly developed a
good friendship with Maia, the scientist in charge of Techna. Trunks had even
accompanied her a few times, and told himself that perhaps working with his
mother at Techna would be just the distraction he needed. Already he was
getting ideas for capsule upgrades, and things that could be Capsule Corp's
next big hit.
The day came when Mirai Pan, Mirai Trunks and Lutz were to make the trip to
Trunks' dimension. Everyone saw them off in the gardens.
"So, you're going to return as if you'd never left, right?" Kara asked.
"Yes, but not to this exact spot. We can't very well bring 1,500 people here
in the garden. We've agreed that the best place for them to settle for now is
Landen," Lutz said.
"Landen?" asked Bulma.
"It's located on the coastline on the outskirts of Dahlia City. The land was
being reserved to have a resort built, but I decided this was much more
important," Mirai Pan explained. "Besides, the Cille Islands are already a
popular tourist spot in the Alisa Galaxy, not to mention the capital city
itself."
"What are you going to do about their living arrangements?" Goten asked.
"After I killed the Jinzoningen in our world, Capsule Corp set up a housing
development for all of the survivors. The whole thing is capsulized, so we can
just bring it with us and set it up wherever we want," Mirai Trunks said.
"Is your mother ready for us, Trunks?" Mirai Pan asked.
"Yes, I just spoke with her last night on the communicator. Everyone's waiting
for us, very eagerly, I might add."
"In that case, we'd better get going. Lutz?" Mirai Pan said, looking at the
sorcerer. Nodding, he cast a spell and they were once again inside the sphere
barrier. "This won't take long. We'll be back before you know it!" the queen
assured them, and after the magic words were spoken by Lutz, they were gone.
* * *
Mirai Bulma (AN: yet another Mirai!) paced in her room impatiently. What could
be keeping those two? Sighing, she tried to relax. She remembered Trunks' many
calls in the last week, telling her how beautiful the planet was, how much he
loved it there. She was thrilled to find out that her son had finally admitted
his feelings to Pan, and that she felt the same way.
She picked up a photo of all the Z Soldiers that had been taken before the
Jinzoningen had come. "Gohan, you would've been so proud. Of both of them,"
she said. She then looked at Chichi in the picture. "And Chichi, it's too bad
you were never able to meet Pan." Poor Chichi had become so grief-stricken
after Gohan's death that she had actually died from it. Her heart couldn't
handle the pain. If only she could have known that in another world, Gohan had
a daughter, and she had a granddaughter.
They had all shared so much together, and now, she would be leaving those
memories behind for a new life. Part of her didn't want to leave because of
those memories, but she knew that if they stayed...they would never survive.
Besides, she wanted to watch her son marry, and have children of his own.
Her thoughts were interrupted as a flash of light suddenly appeared outside.
She ran to the window and looked out, and watched as the figure of three
people appeared. One person she couldn't make out, the other two she clearly
recognized as Pan and Trunks.
"Trunks!" She threw on her robe and ran downstairs and outside. They were on
the ground by the time she got there. "Trunks!" She frantically hugged her
son, who returned the gesture. He had missed his mother. He hadn't seen her
in over a year.
"Bulma-san, this is Lutz, the Head Sorcerer of Dahlia. Lutz, of course you
know Bulma. Meet the other version of her," Pan said with a smile.
"Huh?" Bulma asked, scrunching her brow in confusion.
"Oh...I didn't tell you, Kaasan. Everyone from the past came with us to
Dahlia-sei," Trunks said.
"What? EVERYONE? Even...your father?"
Trunks nodded.
"So...your father, and Goku, Yamucha, Kuririn, everyone...are there?"
"Oh, not Yamucha or Kuririn. Only our family and Goku's are there. But you
should start getting everyone ready, Kaasan. As for me...I kind of have some
personal matters to attend to first," Trunks told them.
"Personal matters?" Pan asked.
"Don't worry, it shouldn't take too long. Why don't you guys show Lutz
around?"
"Well, okay. But hurry back, because we're really going to need your help,
Trunks," Bulma told him.
"I will." He gave Pan a kiss on the cheek. "Be back before you know it."
With a smile, Pan watched as Trunks flew off.
"I wonder what he could be doing?" she said aloud.
"I'm so happy that Trunks is with you, Pan," Bulma said, hugging her. "After
everything he's been through in his life, he deserves someone like you. Just
promise me that I'm not going to wait too long to see my grandchildren, okay?"
Pan only blushed.
* * *
Trunks looked down as he flew, trying to find exactly what he was searching
for.
"Please, please let it still be there," he said silently.
When he found it, he landed on the ground, and looked at the object in
amazement.
"Unbelievable. After all the damage the earth has suffered, it's still in
perfect condition," he said. He eyed it up and down, and smiled. She was
going to love this. Eagerly, he set to work.
* * *
"I wonder what Trunks could be doing?" Bulma wondered.
Pan suddenly felt his ki approaching. "Here he comes," she said as they saw
his figure coming towards them.
"What did you have to do, Trunks?" Bulma asked him.
"You'll find out soon enough. It's a surprise."
"Oh, really? For who?" Pan said.
"Like I said, you'll find out. Is everything about ready?" Trunks said.
"Not quite, we still have to get everyone out of the buildings and capsulize
them," Bulma replied.
"There's still one more thing we need to do besides that," Trunks said.
"What?"
* * *
Trunks, Pan, Bulma and Lutz all stood before the graves of the fallen Z
Soldiers. They put flowers on every one, and Trunks knelt in front of Gohan's
grave.
"Gohan-sensei," he said. "Thank you for everything. It's too bad you couldn't
meet Pan-chan, your daughter. I swear right now on your grave, that I will
love her and protect her for the rest of my life," he vowed.
"You'd better, or I'll have to cross worlds and beat the crap out of you."
They gasped at the sound of the familiar voice that seemed to come from
behind. They turned and what they saw shocked them.
"Masaka..." Bulma said. Pan wanted to faint.
"Gohan-sensei?" Trunks asked carefully.
"Hello, Trunks, Bulma. It has been a while."
"But...how?" Trunks choked out.
"I'm here, shall we say, with special permission," Gohan told them. "I
couldn't just let you leave this place forever without saying goodbye."
They still stood there in silence, as Gohan walked in front of Pan.
"So. You're my daughter, ne? Your name is Pan?" he asked.
"H-Hai," she said, nodding.
"Well, Pan-chan. I don't think I could have asked for a more beautiful
daughter. Just tell me one thing. What is your mother's name?"
"It...it's Videl. Videl Satan."
He studied her carefully, then smiled. "I should have known. You are
your mother all over again."
She looked at him in astonishment. "So...you DID meet Kaasan in this world?"
"Yes, but the Jinzoningen killed her when we were teenagers. But it brings
joy to my heart to know that I could find happiness with her in another
world," Gohan said. He reached out and hugged Pan. "Take good care of
Trunks, okay?"
Tears streamed down her face. "I will...Tousan."
Letting go of her, he shook Trunks' hand.
"I'm holding you to that promise, Trunks. Take care of her."
"I will, sensei. Until the day I die," Trunks promised again.
"Goodbye, Bulma," Gohan said, and gave her a hug.
"Goodbye, Gohan. And if you see Vegeta wandering around up there...tell him
that...I love him," Bulma said, trying not to let her tears show.
"I'll do that, Bulma."
They gasped as Gohan's form began to disappear. "Farewell, minna."
* * *
A flash of light came and went over the shores of Landen. About 1,500 people
appeared and landed safely on the ground, and everyone took in the first
sight of their new home. A chorus of "wows" came from the crowd, as they
looked at the beautiful white-sand beach over the high, grassy cliffs.
"Trunks...Pan...it's gorgeous!" Bulma said as she looked out at the
coastline.
"It does have some charm, don't you think?" Mirai Pan said.
"Definitely. I could live out the rest of my days on that beach easily,"
Bulma said.
They were able to set up the housing development in the middle of a large
meadow, and everyone took in the scenery around them in awe. They had never
seen an atmosphere this beautiful since the Jinzoningen had destroyed most of
the earth. They already adored Pan because of what she had done for the ones
infected by the Obsidian Virus. They were more than ready to accept her as
their queen.
To say the least, it was quite a shock for both Bulma and Mirai Bulma when
they met each other. 'Things are getting really crazy now. First there were
two Trunks and two Pans, then two Gotens, two Bras, and now there's two of
ME!' Bulma thought. It was still interesting though, she had shown Mirai
Bulma around the Techna facility, and Bulma figured that with two of her
there, surely Dahlia-sei's technology would be improved in no time at all.
For Mirai Bulma, though, a lot was difficult at first. Like being around
Vegeta, for instance. She hadn't seen him since Trunks was just a baby, and
seeing him again was not easy for her to deal with. Bra was another example.
After meeting both the young and adult versions of her daughter, she felt
happy, but odd at the same time. Nonetheless, she was glad that she was able
to start a new life.
A week later, another feast was held at the palace honoring the new arrivals.
Mirai Trunks was very nervous, for it was the night that Mirai Pan would
announce that he was to become king. However, he had his own little surprise
for her that night. He had asked some of the guys to help him fix it up, and
after Pan announced the engagement, he would make his own announcement,
presenting her with his wedding gift.
"Don't be nervous, Trunks. I just know my people are going to love you," she
said as they prepared for the feast.
"I really hope so. But...being a king...is so much responsibility. I'm
actually more nervous about being able to do the job," he said.
"I had the same fears, Trunks. But you're strong, and you're dependable. I
know you'll be a wonderful king, because I know you," she reassured him,
giving him a kiss on the lips. "Now let's get going. Everyone's waiting."
************************************************************
Erm...another cliffhanger! What will Mirai Trunks' surprise be? It's in the
next chapter, as well as the wedding of the century! And as for the Gohan
thing in this chapter...I kinda put it in there on a whim, and I just thought
it would be an incredibly touching moment for the story, if this story hasn't
made you cry yet I hope this chapter did! In a good way, of course.
R&R please!
Chapter 9: More Surprises
By Lady Starra
Rating: PG-13
presea94@netscape.net
See foreword for standard disclaimers.
I am REALLY sorry it took forever for me to finish this. I've started working
again and it's really been taking a lot out of me, so I really haven't had
the time or the energy to write. But here it is at last! It came out a lot
differently than what I had originally planned, but I tend to do that a lot
when I'm writing. ^^; Please give me feedback!
"You gonna be okay?" Goten asked Trunks as they walked back into the palace.
"No. I'm never going to 'be okay' with the fact that she doesn't love me. If
this is what love is supposed to feel like...then I don't want it," Trunks
muttered, as he walked towards the direction of his room.
"Look...try and get some sleep. You'll probably feel better in the morning."
"I doubt that."
Goten was afraid Trunks might get lost in the huge palace, but Trunks had a
pretty good sense of direction, although he didn't care if he made it to his
room that night or not. He didn't care about anything.
When he heard footsteps and voices in the next corridor, he hid behind a
pillar and kept quiet. He just didn't want to see anyone right now.
It was Gohan and Videl, carrying an exhausted Pan to her room.
"She's gotten so heavy," Trunks heard Gohan say. "She's becoming more like
her older self every day. She's even letting her hair grow longer."
"Yes, I know. You should see her when we're training. Trying to do everything
that Mirai Pan does. She's becoming a woman right before our eyes," Videl
said. "And lately...I can't help thinking..."
"Thinking about what?" hhe asked when she paused.
"Well...Mirai Pan and Mirai Trunks love each other, and you told me that
they're lifemates. So, I wonder...does that mean...well, are the Pan and
Trunks of our world lifemates as well?"
Trunks felt his breath catch as he stood silently in his hiding spot. Gohan
didn't know what to say. He hadn't even thought of the possibility of that.
"I'm not sure, Videl. But...Trunks would make a good husband for her, I
suppose."
"Gohan, Trunks is so much older than she is. Don't you think it would be a
bit odd?"
Gohan sighed. "I remember Vegeta once telling me that back when his father
ruled, it wasn't unusual for a Saiyajin to take a younger mate. It was
because the male population was much higher the female population. Pan and
Trunks ARE both Saiyajin, after all."
"I guess so. But...let's not talk about things like this right now. Pan has
her whole life ahead of her, I can't even picture my little girl being
someone's wife, period, let alone Trunks' wife," Videl sighed.
Gohan laughed.
That was the last thing Trunks heard when he quietly slipped out from behind
the pillar and finally found the way to his room. Slowly, he undressed and
fell into bed, not even bothering with the night garments that were left for
him.
He closed his eyes, remembering the way she tasted when he kissed her, the
softness of her lips, what her body felt like in his arms. He couldn't get it
out of his mind, couldn't get HER out of his mind. He suddenly had a
flashback of Gohan and Videl's conversation.
'I wonder...are the Pan and Trunks of our world lifemates as well?'
Sighing deeply, he stared up at the ceiling.
'If you truly are in love with Son Pan...wait for her.'
Kami, he did love her. But he didn't want to love Pan just because of her
future self. It wouldn't be fair to her. Not only that, but she was years
younger.
'Love has no limits...'
Her own words.
'Trunks would make a good husband for her, I suppose.'
It had shocked Trunks to hear Gohan say that. But the age difference was
still a problem for Trunks. He couldn't see himself dating anyone younger
than eighteen, and even in that aspect, Pan still had a long way to go.
He needed some release from all this. Sitting up, he looked at the control
pad on his nightstand and hit one of the buttons. He knew there were servants
that were still cleaning up, so it would be no problem getting a hold of one.
"Yes, sir?" a voice over the intercom asked.
"Bring me some wine. And lots of it."
* * *
Morning came all too soon. The queen of Dahlia-sei sat up in her bed, looking
down at her lover and soon-to-be king who slept naked under the sheets. Gods,
how she loved him. She leaned down, pressing her bare chest against his,
kissing him lightly on the lips. He smiled, wrapping his arms around her,
then pulling her down on the bed so he now hovered over her. He kissed her
neck and earlobes, and she reveled in the warmth of his kisses.
"I love you," she whispered.
"Hmm...do you? Then prove it to me, my queen..."
"I have. Countless times, last night."
"I'm still not convinced," he smirked.
"Trunks. We have to get up. Everyone's meeting in the gardens for brunch this
morning," she told him.
"But, darling...this bed is so comfy. I don't think I could get up if I
wanted to."
"Humph. Well, suit yourself, but I need to get up."
She tried to sit up but he wouldn't let her.
"Please, my darling?" he said playfully.
"Trunks, I have important political matters to attend to. And I can't do that
on an empty stomach, so I can't afford to miss brunch. Now let me up so I can
bathe and get ready."
"Hmm...a bath. That sounds wonderful, Your Majesty." He scooped her up in his
arms and headed for the bathroom.
"Trunks! What do you think you're doing?"
"You should be happy. I'm out of bed now, aren't I?"
She sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"
Smirking, he set her down and turned on the bath water. "You're going to
bathe with me."
* * *
The weather was perfect for eating outside. The servants had set up tables
and enough chairs for the queen and her guests, and like the previous night,
enough food for at least fifteen Saiyajin fighters was brought out. However,
there was one person missing.
"Where's Trunks?" Bulma asked Goten.
"I don't know. Maybe he got lost or something, the palace is really huge.
I'll go check on him. Save some food for me, Tousan!" Goten said to Goku
before leaving for Trunks' chambers.
'I hope he's doing all right,' Mirai Pan thought, worried that perhaps he
took the events of the previous night too hard. It felt terrible, having to
break his heart in such a way...
'Don't worry about it, love,' Mirai Trunks told her telepathically. 'You
didn't do anything wrong.'
'I know. But I'm still worried,' she answered.
'He'll be fine. Trust me.'
* * *
Goten pounded on Trunks' door.
"Trunks! You in there?"
He found that the door was unlocked and walked in. Trunks was still in bed.
He looked on the nightstand, noting the empty wine bottles, and sighed.
'Oi, Trunks. Guess he got pretty hammered last night. He doesn't know how to
deal with the pain. Poor guy.'
"Yo, Trunks. Wake up," he said, shaking him. "TRUNKS!" Frustrated, he grabbed
the glass on the nightstand and filled it with cold water. "Hey, Trunks! Get
up!" Goten splashed the cold water in his face, finally getting a reaction.
"C-Cold!" Trunks cried, shivering. "Goten! You baka, why did..." That's when
he felt it. "Owwwww..." He brought his hands to his temples and fell back on
the bed. "My head..."
"Well, that's to be expected after drinking three bottles of wine, Trunks.
The wine on earth might not have done this to you...but the stuff on this
planet is a little more potent."
"Aggghhh...Goten, I...I don't feel so good."
"And there you have it."
Before Trunks knew it, he was in the bathroom, vomiting in the toilet.
"This isn't a good time for you to be throwing up, Trunks. Everyone's at
brunch wondering where you are," Goten said.
"Tell them I'm sick."
"You mean hung over."
"No, sick. Tell them I'm SICK."
* * *
"Sick?" Bulma said in surprise. "But he's never been sick a day in his life!"
"Well, he is now, apparently. He was throwing up in the bathroom," Goten
said.
"Shouldn't we get him a doctor?" Bulma asked.
"I know. I'LL make him feel better!" Young Pan said with a smile, standing up.
"You?" Vegeta said, looking oddly at the child.
"Hai! I can do it with magic!"
"Can not!" Bra said, sticking out her tongue.
"Can TOO! Mirai Pan taught me how!" Pan said, sticking her tongue out in
return.
"Nani?! You mean that magic can heal sickness?" Vegeta asked, stunned.
"Hai, Vegeta-san! Just you wait. Trunks will be down here before you know it!
Uncle Goten, show me to his room, please?" Pan said.
Goten looked confused. "She knows what she's doing," Mirai Pan said. "Go on.
Take her to Trunks."
* * *
"Trunks! Ohayo!"
Trunks opened his eyes, surprised to see the Young Pan standing there.
"Pan-chan...what are you doing here? I'm kind of sick."
"I know. I've come to make you feel better."
He blinked in confusion.
"What's wrong with you, Trunks?" she asked.
"I...have a really bad headache Pan-chan."
"And he threw up," Goten added, and Trunks glared at him.
"I can make you feel better, Trunks."
He sighed. "Thanks, Pan-chan, but I don't think..."
Before he could say anything else, she was at his side and held her hand to
his forehead. Trunks and Goten watched in fascination as the healing light
appeared in her hand and overtook Trunks' body. After several seconds, the
light faded.
Trunks was astonished. He felt a hundred percent better. No headache, no
nausea. What had she done?
"Pan-chan...how...how did you do that?" he asked her.
"Magic, Trunks. It's part of my training."
"That was...incredible, Pan-chan," he said, amazed at how energized he felt.
"Then you feel better?"
"Much better."
"I'm so glad!" she giggled, hugging him. "Now that you're feeling better, get
dressed so you can eat with us!"
* * *
Very reluctantly, Trunks dressed and went with Goten and Pan to the gardens.
He didn't want to face Mirai Pan right now. He didn't think he could. Not
after making such a fool out of himself. He probably would have stayed in his
room if he hadn't been so hungry.
"Well, glad you could make it, Trunks. Feeling better?" his mother asked him.
"Um, yeah," Trunks said as he took the seat next to Goten's, not even looking
Mirai Pan's way.
"What was wrong with you anyway, boy?" Vegeta asked.
"Just the flu or something," Trunks lied as he began eating his breakfast.
'It was stupid of me to come here,' he thought. 'Now I have to stay on this
planet for a whole bloody year and watch her marry someone else.'
"Now that everyone is here," Mirai Goten spoke up, "Bra-chan and I have an
announcement to make."
'Here we go,' Goten thought. Everyone looked curiously at Mirai Goten as they
stood from their seats.
"Bra-chan and I...well..."
"Goten proposed to me last night," Mirai Bra finished, and with that, gasps
and squeals of joy filled the air. In a split second Mirai Pan was out of her
seat and hugging her uncle and best friend.
"Oh, Bra-chan! Uncle Goten, congratulations!"
"And about time, too!" Kara laughed as she hugged them as well.
Everyone else except Bulma, Vegeta and Goten just looked on in amazement. Did
they just hear right? Goten...and Bra? Engaged? Soon to be MARRIED?
"Oh, my," Chichi said, feeling the tears in her eyes. "My son...oh, this is
so wonderful!" She excitedly got up and also hugged Mirai Goten. "Finally,
you've become a man! I'm so proud of you!"
Mirai Goten blushed furiously. "Thank you, Kaasan."
Trunks couldn't believe it. Goten and his sister? The age gap between them
was the same as him and Pan. He wanted to yell at Mirai Goten for this.
But...seeing his "older" sister's radiant smile...he could feel her happiness.
After all, she had no one else in this world. It wasn't until last night, when
Mirai Pan described the events of the past, when he realized how difficult it
must of been for all three of them to lose their family. However...Trunks
didn't want anymore weird surprises for the rest of this trip.
Mirai Pan lifted her juice glass and made a toast.
"To Bra-chan and Uncle Goten. Health and happiness forever!"
"To Bra and Goten!"
Once all of the excitement died down and everyone congratulated the couple,
brunch was resumed, and Chichi and Bulma began talking of wedding plans and
other odds and ends, with Kara explaining to them what a traditional Dahlian
wedding was like.
"Lutz, Aron, we have to make a plan to retreive the people from Trunks' world
as soon as possible. I want us to be ready within the week," Mirai Pan told
them.
"Your Majesty, since you will be transporting such a large group of people, I
must suggest that Lutz accompany you," Aron said.
"I suppose that would be best. The more power we can get the better. I don't
want to make more than one trip if we don't have to. Let's meet this
afternoon to discuss it more. And Aron, after brunch, I am requesting that
you take Trunks' mother to Techna so she can meet Maia and the other
scientists."
"Of course, Your Majesty, I'd be happy to."
"Thank you. And Lutz, when we get Trunks' people here, you, Crys and Kara can
begin training Young Pan and my mother. Let them kick back and have some fun
first. The people from Trunks' world coming here takes priority over everything,
even my own wedding," she said.
"We understand. And when DO you plan to announce your engagement, if you
don't mind my asking?" Lutz said.
"Once we get them here and settled in."
* * *
It was a great week for the Sons and the Briefs. Young Bra finally got to go
to the marketplace, and she ended up going back every single day. They all
went back to the Cille Islands to swim and have fun on the beach, and even
visited the neighboring planet, Azura, which had many amusement parks and
tourist-type places. It was a vacation they would never forget, that was for
sure.
Trunks went along with them, although he was much less enthusiastic than the
others. He did everything he could to keep his mind off of Mirai Pan...but it
didn't help. Her face still appeared in his mind, and she still invaded his dreams
at night. He would have been much better off staying on Earth and doing
paperwork for Capsule Corporation.
Bulma, however, didn't kick back as much as she would have liked. Once she
had gone to Techna, Dahlia's scientific facility, she was in love. The people
of Dahlia-sei were extremely intelligent, and she had quickly developed a
good friendship with Maia, the scientist in charge of Techna. Trunks had even
accompanied her a few times, and told himself that perhaps working with his
mother at Techna would be just the distraction he needed. Already he was
getting ideas for capsule upgrades, and things that could be Capsule Corp's
next big hit.
The day came when Mirai Pan, Mirai Trunks and Lutz were to make the trip to
Trunks' dimension. Everyone saw them off in the gardens.
"So, you're going to return as if you'd never left, right?" Kara asked.
"Yes, but not to this exact spot. We can't very well bring 1,500 people here
in the garden. We've agreed that the best place for them to settle for now is
Landen," Lutz said.
"Landen?" asked Bulma.
"It's located on the coastline on the outskirts of Dahlia City. The land was
being reserved to have a resort built, but I decided this was much more
important," Mirai Pan explained. "Besides, the Cille Islands are already a
popular tourist spot in the Alisa Galaxy, not to mention the capital city
itself."
"What are you going to do about their living arrangements?" Goten asked.
"After I killed the Jinzoningen in our world, Capsule Corp set up a housing
development for all of the survivors. The whole thing is capsulized, so we can
just bring it with us and set it up wherever we want," Mirai Trunks said.
"Is your mother ready for us, Trunks?" Mirai Pan asked.
"Yes, I just spoke with her last night on the communicator. Everyone's waiting
for us, very eagerly, I might add."
"In that case, we'd better get going. Lutz?" Mirai Pan said, looking at the
sorcerer. Nodding, he cast a spell and they were once again inside the sphere
barrier. "This won't take long. We'll be back before you know it!" the queen
assured them, and after the magic words were spoken by Lutz, they were gone.
* * *
Mirai Bulma (AN: yet another Mirai!) paced in her room impatiently. What could
be keeping those two? Sighing, she tried to relax. She remembered Trunks' many
calls in the last week, telling her how beautiful the planet was, how much he
loved it there. She was thrilled to find out that her son had finally admitted
his feelings to Pan, and that she felt the same way.
She picked up a photo of all the Z Soldiers that had been taken before the
Jinzoningen had come. "Gohan, you would've been so proud. Of both of them,"
she said. She then looked at Chichi in the picture. "And Chichi, it's too bad
you were never able to meet Pan." Poor Chichi had become so grief-stricken
after Gohan's death that she had actually died from it. Her heart couldn't
handle the pain. If only she could have known that in another world, Gohan had
a daughter, and she had a granddaughter.
They had all shared so much together, and now, she would be leaving those
memories behind for a new life. Part of her didn't want to leave because of
those memories, but she knew that if they stayed...they would never survive.
Besides, she wanted to watch her son marry, and have children of his own.
Her thoughts were interrupted as a flash of light suddenly appeared outside.
She ran to the window and looked out, and watched as the figure of three
people appeared. One person she couldn't make out, the other two she clearly
recognized as Pan and Trunks.
"Trunks!" She threw on her robe and ran downstairs and outside. They were on
the ground by the time she got there. "Trunks!" She frantically hugged her
son, who returned the gesture. He had missed his mother. He hadn't seen her
in over a year.
"Bulma-san, this is Lutz, the Head Sorcerer of Dahlia. Lutz, of course you
know Bulma. Meet the other version of her," Pan said with a smile.
"Huh?" Bulma asked, scrunching her brow in confusion.
"Oh...I didn't tell you, Kaasan. Everyone from the past came with us to
Dahlia-sei," Trunks said.
"What? EVERYONE? Even...your father?"
Trunks nodded.
"So...your father, and Goku, Yamucha, Kuririn, everyone...are there?"
"Oh, not Yamucha or Kuririn. Only our family and Goku's are there. But you
should start getting everyone ready, Kaasan. As for me...I kind of have some
personal matters to attend to first," Trunks told them.
"Personal matters?" Pan asked.
"Don't worry, it shouldn't take too long. Why don't you guys show Lutz
around?"
"Well, okay. But hurry back, because we're really going to need your help,
Trunks," Bulma told him.
"I will." He gave Pan a kiss on the cheek. "Be back before you know it."
With a smile, Pan watched as Trunks flew off.
"I wonder what he could be doing?" she said aloud.
"I'm so happy that Trunks is with you, Pan," Bulma said, hugging her. "After
everything he's been through in his life, he deserves someone like you. Just
promise me that I'm not going to wait too long to see my grandchildren, okay?"
Pan only blushed.
* * *
Trunks looked down as he flew, trying to find exactly what he was searching
for.
"Please, please let it still be there," he said silently.
When he found it, he landed on the ground, and looked at the object in
amazement.
"Unbelievable. After all the damage the earth has suffered, it's still in
perfect condition," he said. He eyed it up and down, and smiled. She was
going to love this. Eagerly, he set to work.
* * *
"I wonder what Trunks could be doing?" Bulma wondered.
Pan suddenly felt his ki approaching. "Here he comes," she said as they saw
his figure coming towards them.
"What did you have to do, Trunks?" Bulma asked him.
"You'll find out soon enough. It's a surprise."
"Oh, really? For who?" Pan said.
"Like I said, you'll find out. Is everything about ready?" Trunks said.
"Not quite, we still have to get everyone out of the buildings and capsulize
them," Bulma replied.
"There's still one more thing we need to do besides that," Trunks said.
"What?"
* * *
Trunks, Pan, Bulma and Lutz all stood before the graves of the fallen Z
Soldiers. They put flowers on every one, and Trunks knelt in front of Gohan's
grave.
"Gohan-sensei," he said. "Thank you for everything. It's too bad you couldn't
meet Pan-chan, your daughter. I swear right now on your grave, that I will
love her and protect her for the rest of my life," he vowed.
"You'd better, or I'll have to cross worlds and beat the crap out of you."
They gasped at the sound of the familiar voice that seemed to come from
behind. They turned and what they saw shocked them.
"Masaka..." Bulma said. Pan wanted to faint.
"Gohan-sensei?" Trunks asked carefully.
"Hello, Trunks, Bulma. It has been a while."
"But...how?" Trunks choked out.
"I'm here, shall we say, with special permission," Gohan told them. "I
couldn't just let you leave this place forever without saying goodbye."
They still stood there in silence, as Gohan walked in front of Pan.
"So. You're my daughter, ne? Your name is Pan?" he asked.
"H-Hai," she said, nodding.
"Well, Pan-chan. I don't think I could have asked for a more beautiful
daughter. Just tell me one thing. What is your mother's name?"
"It...it's Videl. Videl Satan."
He studied her carefully, then smiled. "I should have known. You are
your mother all over again."
She looked at him in astonishment. "So...you DID meet Kaasan in this world?"
"Yes, but the Jinzoningen killed her when we were teenagers. But it brings
joy to my heart to know that I could find happiness with her in another
world," Gohan said. He reached out and hugged Pan. "Take good care of
Trunks, okay?"
Tears streamed down her face. "I will...Tousan."
Letting go of her, he shook Trunks' hand.
"I'm holding you to that promise, Trunks. Take care of her."
"I will, sensei. Until the day I die," Trunks promised again.
"Goodbye, Bulma," Gohan said, and gave her a hug.
"Goodbye, Gohan. And if you see Vegeta wandering around up there...tell him
that...I love him," Bulma said, trying not to let her tears show.
"I'll do that, Bulma."
They gasped as Gohan's form began to disappear. "Farewell, minna."
* * *
A flash of light came and went over the shores of Landen. About 1,500 people
appeared and landed safely on the ground, and everyone took in the first
sight of their new home. A chorus of "wows" came from the crowd, as they
looked at the beautiful white-sand beach over the high, grassy cliffs.
"Trunks...Pan...it's gorgeous!" Bulma said as she looked out at the
coastline.
"It does have some charm, don't you think?" Mirai Pan said.
"Definitely. I could live out the rest of my days on that beach easily,"
Bulma said.
They were able to set up the housing development in the middle of a large
meadow, and everyone took in the scenery around them in awe. They had never
seen an atmosphere this beautiful since the Jinzoningen had destroyed most of
the earth. They already adored Pan because of what she had done for the ones
infected by the Obsidian Virus. They were more than ready to accept her as
their queen.
To say the least, it was quite a shock for both Bulma and Mirai Bulma when
they met each other. 'Things are getting really crazy now. First there were
two Trunks and two Pans, then two Gotens, two Bras, and now there's two of
ME!' Bulma thought. It was still interesting though, she had shown Mirai
Bulma around the Techna facility, and Bulma figured that with two of her
there, surely Dahlia-sei's technology would be improved in no time at all.
For Mirai Bulma, though, a lot was difficult at first. Like being around
Vegeta, for instance. She hadn't seen him since Trunks was just a baby, and
seeing him again was not easy for her to deal with. Bra was another example.
After meeting both the young and adult versions of her daughter, she felt
happy, but odd at the same time. Nonetheless, she was glad that she was able
to start a new life.
A week later, another feast was held at the palace honoring the new arrivals.
Mirai Trunks was very nervous, for it was the night that Mirai Pan would
announce that he was to become king. However, he had his own little surprise
for her that night. He had asked some of the guys to help him fix it up, and
after Pan announced the engagement, he would make his own announcement,
presenting her with his wedding gift.
"Don't be nervous, Trunks. I just know my people are going to love you," she
said as they prepared for the feast.
"I really hope so. But...being a king...is so much responsibility. I'm
actually more nervous about being able to do the job," he said.
"I had the same fears, Trunks. But you're strong, and you're dependable. I
know you'll be a wonderful king, because I know you," she reassured him,
giving him a kiss on the lips. "Now let's get going. Everyone's waiting."
************************************************************
Erm...another cliffhanger! What will Mirai Trunks' surprise be? It's in the
next chapter, as well as the wedding of the century! And as for the Gohan
thing in this chapter...I kinda put it in there on a whim, and I just thought
it would be an incredibly touching moment for the story, if this story hasn't
made you cry yet I hope this chapter did! In a good way, of course.
R&R please!