Chapter 4
Goten watched his niece in the review mirror as he drove. When he'd told her that Trunks would meet himself, Bura and her at a restaurant for a welcome back dinner, she had looked positively thrilled. When he'd told her that she'd get to meet Trunk's girlfriend, the bright smile on her face had transformed into a blank and vacant look.
" GOTEN! WATCH THE ROAD!!!"
Bura's voice broke through his thoughts, forcing him to concentrate on his driving in time to swerve hard to the left to avoid hitting an oncoming car. 3 sighs of relief hung in the air.
" Uncle Goten...are you trying to get us killed?"
Pan gave him a dirty look and pulled a little on her seatbelt to loosen it.
" No...I was just thinking Pan...is something bothering you? You seemed really happy before...why the sudden change of mood?"
" Nothing. Nothing at all...I'm just a little tired that's all."
" Do you want to go home and rest? I don't want you getting sick on us." Bura asked, eyeing Goten and gesturing as subtly as she could.
Goten seemed to be oblivious to Bura's obvious efforts and continued on.
" No way! Panny hasn't been sick a day in her life! I'm sure she hasn't changed...she's never been one to miss a good party right Pan?"
Pan felt both Goten and Bura looking at her in the review mirror. Pan looked away from their glances and returned to looking out the backseat window of Goten's skycar.
" yeh...I guess."
" Hi Pan! I've heard a lot about you from Trunks...I'm Ayako."
A mousy brunette. Almost too big green eyes. A body without any muscle tone. Trunks' girlfriend?
Pan looked at the girl standing next to Trunks. Who was she kidding? She was absolutely stunning. She could see already why Trunks was liked her. She was sophisticated, feminine, beautiful and charismatic. Absolutely everything she wasn't.
It shouldn't matter to you whether you have the same characteristics as Trunk's girlfriend.
Pan's heart clenched as she saw them together. A casual arm around her waist signalling posessiveness. Whispers of sweet words in her ears.
Why does this have to happen to me? Why couldn't I fall in love with somebody closer to my age...that would see me as something other than a tomboy.
Numbly, she sat through the entire dinner, laughing when appropriate and keeping a smile plastered on her face. Never once did her eyes wander up from her plate. She found it too painful to look up, to see the happy couple in front of her. She could feel her heart literally break as she glanced at the big diamond ring sitting on Ayako's finger in the reflection of the silverware.
" Pan...is there something wrong?"
Trunks' voice cut through her thoughts.
" Pan...don't you just love my ring? Trunks gave it to me."
Ayako caught Pan looking at the expensive ring on her finger.
" You two are engaged?"
Both Ayako and Trunks beamed and gave each other a kiss at the dinner table.
" ...congratulations."Goten sang out, leaning over the table as Bura looked at Pan warily.
To show Bura that she was ok, Pan smiled and stood up, moving to congratulate the newly engaged couple.
" When did this happen?" Goten asked.
" Earlier this evening."
Pan sat back down, listening to the happy chatter about Trunks' engagement to Ayako. Trunks. ENGAGED. They were discussing the plans...their future together. Two happy couples happily talking like there wasn't a care in the world, like she didn't exist. She felt so abandoned...so alone...so left out. All her best friends in the world now seemed oblivious to her existance.
I have to get out of here.
A loud scraping sound made itself heard as Pan got out of her seat, grabbing her purse.
" Um...I just remembered I made a prior engagement. See you guys later."
Knowing her excuse was rather flimsy, she pushed her chair back underneath the table and strode purposefully out of the room, holding back the tears that were threatening to flow.
Trunks stared at Pan's retreating figure in confusion. He had been watching her all evening, wondering what was wrong with her. She'd looked pained, preoccupied and sad.
" Was it something I said? Was she uncomfortable around me?"
Ayako looked at Trunks, hoping for some reassurance.
" Of course not my love. I'm sure Pan loves you...I guess she's just a little troubled at the moment. Maybe I'll go-"
Ayako sighed in relief, cutting Trunks off, happy once more. She initiated the conversation once again, much to Trunks' annoyance.
Didn't I just say she was troubled? Why did she interrupt me? No...I'm just thinking too much.
He caught his sister's eye as he fidgeted with his tie.
Whats wrong with Bura? She seems mad at me for some reason.
He watched as she stood up and excused herself for the evening, leaving a confused Goten behind and hurrying after Pan.
" So why don't we get some dinner?"
Suddenly Ayako's usually beautiful voice sounded high pitched and whiny in Trunks' ears. Was she totally oblivious to the sudden departure of two people in their group? Trunks stopped his train of thought before it went too far.
I love Ayako...that's all that matters.
Pan ran through the streets, oblivious to her surroundings. With two quick swipes with her hands, she wiped her face of her tears. She heard a screech and a crunching metal sound behind her but she kept running. She didn't stop until her feet touched the soft green grass of a nearby park. She collapsed onto the grass, laying her head on the park bench, her shoulders heaving up and down from her sobs.
I told myself that I wouldn't love him anymore. I told myself that I wouldn't care if he got attatched. Why can't I just forget about it?
" I thought you said it was ok with you."
Pan looked through her tears to see Bura standing in front of her with a hand on one hip.
" I thought so too."
Bura knelt down next to Pan to pull her into a comforting hug. Both stayed in that position until Pan's sobs slowed down to gentle sniffles. Pulling away, Pan glanced at Bura's dress, the shoulder part now soaked with her tears. She laughed despite her situation.
" Look Pan. You've destroyed my designer dress." Bura said in a mock angry tone.
" Yeh...I guess I have."
Bura patted Pan on the head, a gesture she didn't appreciate.
" You're a silly girl Pan...you know that?"
" Yeh I know. Of all the people I had to go and choose to fall in love with..."
" You had to pick my brother. Well...he's one in a million."
Bura's heart went out for Pan. She almost didn't recognise her. She had never seen Pan in such a state...she had always seemed tough. Now her hair was in disarray, the dark circles underneath enhanced the redness her eyes. Her shoulders slumped, showing how tired and weary she was.
" Pan...I..."
" Why. Why in Dende's name do I have to fall in love with HIM of all people. Why do you have to torture me with this...why?"
Pan slammed her hand down on the ground, causing a crack in the earth.
" Maybe you should tell Trunks. You'd feel better."
Pan let out a defeated sigh.
" No. What good would that do? I should give him up. He's engaged to be married to that...Ayako. I'll probably just make them feel uncomfortable. It wouldn't change things...and I couldn't face him after that. I should hold onto what I have."
Bura gripped Pan's shoulders, forcing her to look her in the eyes.
" Listen to me Pan. You have NOTHING right now. I know its hurting inside...but you have to tell him. Its better for both of you...how do you know that he won't love you back?"
" Have you gone mad Bura? You know your brother as well as I do. He'll never see me as anything but a kid sister let alone LOVE me."
" You haven't even told him yet! You can't just say he won't if you don't ask. Is it better to live without regrets?"
Pan's tears stopped at Bura's words.
" I don't know. All I know is that I don't want to face him for awhile."
Bura stood up, extending a hand to Pan.
" Alright then. Lets go party...we'll do it all night if we have to."
Pan smiled through her tears as she accepted Bura's hand and got up.
" Listen...I'm sorry I spoilt your night with Goten."
" It's fine...we can always go out again some other time...it just means you owe me another shopping trip!"
" WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY?!"
Trunks slamned his fist into a wall, causing it to crack and fall to pieces on the floor. After the dinner, he and Goten had returned home, hoping to find Pan and Bura for an explanation for the night's events. It was now mid afternoon and there was still no sign of them.
" Chill out Trunks. I've no doubt that they're fine."
Trunks stared at Goten, giving him a menacing stare.
" How can they be fine? They've been gone all night...and all morning!"
Gotn held up his hands in surrender.
" Hey man...calm down. They're saiyajins. Pan can take care of herself...so can Bura. I'm sure they're just partying...but I have to admit...I'm annoyed at the fact they didn't invite me. Of course...it was probably an inpromptu girls night out."
" But-"
" But nothing Trunks! You're getting worked up over nothing. You're not usually this high strung about Bura being out...why now?"
" Because Pan...never mind."
Goten raised an eyebrow at the mention of his niece's name.
" That's never bothered you before either."
" It couldn't bother me. She was 14 the last time I saw her!"
Goten smirked.
" the fact that she's 18 now changes that?"
Trunks' anger level decreased as he took a seat next to Goten under the tree. He made a mental note to fix the wall of his home.
" whats that supposed to mean?"
" Take it however you want to...but I think you've got some thing about Pan."
Trunks looked down at his engagement ring thoughtfully.
" I can't have a thing for Pan Goten. I'm engaged to Ayako."
" You can't...or you don't?"
" I..."
Trunks couldn't bring himself to say anything. Goten leaned back against the trunk of the tree with his arms tucked behind his head.
" You know Trunks...you're not exactly married. Yet."
His engagement ring shone in the sunlight that peeked through the leafy branches of the tree.
" Yeh...but I'm not so sure about this. A week ago I was sure Ayako was the one for me...and I don't think I'm willing the jeopardise that for something that may or may not happen."
Goten chuckled at his friends perdicament.
" You know Trunks...I'm surprised I didn't see this coming. My baka niece is in love with you. I wasn't sure at first...but at dinner yesterday..."
" Pan? In love with me? No way!"
" Yes way. In a way I feel sorry for her."
" Whys that?"
" You're a womanizer Trunks."
" Hey! I resent that!"
" okok. Lately *maybe* you've been settling down a little bit..."
" With Ayako."
An image of Ayako entered Trunks' mind. Luminous green eyes, wavy chestnut brown hair and tall willowy figure. Sweet personality...sometimes.
" Think of it this way. It will happen if you go for it. Otherwise your going to wonder for the rest of your possibly miserable life- could I have had a happier life with someone else?"
" I can't do that to Ayako. She's been my girlfriend for ages...I can't just desert her for a whim."
" Ayako is supposed to be your future WIFE. Not a burden and you shouldn't stay with her just because you think it's the right thing to do. Your wife is supposed to be someone you love, a bond between your hearts and souls."
Trunks stared at the floor, thinking about the meaning of Goten's words.
" What should I do? How am I going to tell Ayako...?"
" Just tell her the truth."
" And whats that?"
Goten grinned at him and slapped him playfully on the back.
" You're not ready for that kind of commitment."
Author's note: Damnit! It was inevitable...it turned into angst...I was hoping to have a little light hearted lovey dovey mush in this fic...but well...maybe later.
I have to say that I toyed around with the idea of Marron being Trunks' girlfriend...but I didn't want to do it. No Marron bashing in this fic...I wanted it to be somebody that I could get rid of easily...without the whole " I've known her for ages I can't do that to her " thing that comes with using Marron.
I think I can squeeze another 2 chapters out of this...I think you guys can see I'm getting sick of writing this so I'm going for a quick finish...sorta. Better than no ending right?
Goten watched his niece in the review mirror as he drove. When he'd told her that Trunks would meet himself, Bura and her at a restaurant for a welcome back dinner, she had looked positively thrilled. When he'd told her that she'd get to meet Trunk's girlfriend, the bright smile on her face had transformed into a blank and vacant look.
" GOTEN! WATCH THE ROAD!!!"
Bura's voice broke through his thoughts, forcing him to concentrate on his driving in time to swerve hard to the left to avoid hitting an oncoming car. 3 sighs of relief hung in the air.
" Uncle Goten...are you trying to get us killed?"
Pan gave him a dirty look and pulled a little on her seatbelt to loosen it.
" No...I was just thinking Pan...is something bothering you? You seemed really happy before...why the sudden change of mood?"
" Nothing. Nothing at all...I'm just a little tired that's all."
" Do you want to go home and rest? I don't want you getting sick on us." Bura asked, eyeing Goten and gesturing as subtly as she could.
Goten seemed to be oblivious to Bura's obvious efforts and continued on.
" No way! Panny hasn't been sick a day in her life! I'm sure she hasn't changed...she's never been one to miss a good party right Pan?"
Pan felt both Goten and Bura looking at her in the review mirror. Pan looked away from their glances and returned to looking out the backseat window of Goten's skycar.
" yeh...I guess."
" Hi Pan! I've heard a lot about you from Trunks...I'm Ayako."
A mousy brunette. Almost too big green eyes. A body without any muscle tone. Trunks' girlfriend?
Pan looked at the girl standing next to Trunks. Who was she kidding? She was absolutely stunning. She could see already why Trunks was liked her. She was sophisticated, feminine, beautiful and charismatic. Absolutely everything she wasn't.
It shouldn't matter to you whether you have the same characteristics as Trunk's girlfriend.
Pan's heart clenched as she saw them together. A casual arm around her waist signalling posessiveness. Whispers of sweet words in her ears.
Why does this have to happen to me? Why couldn't I fall in love with somebody closer to my age...that would see me as something other than a tomboy.
Numbly, she sat through the entire dinner, laughing when appropriate and keeping a smile plastered on her face. Never once did her eyes wander up from her plate. She found it too painful to look up, to see the happy couple in front of her. She could feel her heart literally break as she glanced at the big diamond ring sitting on Ayako's finger in the reflection of the silverware.
" Pan...is there something wrong?"
Trunks' voice cut through her thoughts.
" Pan...don't you just love my ring? Trunks gave it to me."
Ayako caught Pan looking at the expensive ring on her finger.
" You two are engaged?"
Both Ayako and Trunks beamed and gave each other a kiss at the dinner table.
" ...congratulations."Goten sang out, leaning over the table as Bura looked at Pan warily.
To show Bura that she was ok, Pan smiled and stood up, moving to congratulate the newly engaged couple.
" When did this happen?" Goten asked.
" Earlier this evening."
Pan sat back down, listening to the happy chatter about Trunks' engagement to Ayako. Trunks. ENGAGED. They were discussing the plans...their future together. Two happy couples happily talking like there wasn't a care in the world, like she didn't exist. She felt so abandoned...so alone...so left out. All her best friends in the world now seemed oblivious to her existance.
I have to get out of here.
A loud scraping sound made itself heard as Pan got out of her seat, grabbing her purse.
" Um...I just remembered I made a prior engagement. See you guys later."
Knowing her excuse was rather flimsy, she pushed her chair back underneath the table and strode purposefully out of the room, holding back the tears that were threatening to flow.
Trunks stared at Pan's retreating figure in confusion. He had been watching her all evening, wondering what was wrong with her. She'd looked pained, preoccupied and sad.
" Was it something I said? Was she uncomfortable around me?"
Ayako looked at Trunks, hoping for some reassurance.
" Of course not my love. I'm sure Pan loves you...I guess she's just a little troubled at the moment. Maybe I'll go-"
Ayako sighed in relief, cutting Trunks off, happy once more. She initiated the conversation once again, much to Trunks' annoyance.
Didn't I just say she was troubled? Why did she interrupt me? No...I'm just thinking too much.
He caught his sister's eye as he fidgeted with his tie.
Whats wrong with Bura? She seems mad at me for some reason.
He watched as she stood up and excused herself for the evening, leaving a confused Goten behind and hurrying after Pan.
" So why don't we get some dinner?"
Suddenly Ayako's usually beautiful voice sounded high pitched and whiny in Trunks' ears. Was she totally oblivious to the sudden departure of two people in their group? Trunks stopped his train of thought before it went too far.
I love Ayako...that's all that matters.
Pan ran through the streets, oblivious to her surroundings. With two quick swipes with her hands, she wiped her face of her tears. She heard a screech and a crunching metal sound behind her but she kept running. She didn't stop until her feet touched the soft green grass of a nearby park. She collapsed onto the grass, laying her head on the park bench, her shoulders heaving up and down from her sobs.
I told myself that I wouldn't love him anymore. I told myself that I wouldn't care if he got attatched. Why can't I just forget about it?
" I thought you said it was ok with you."
Pan looked through her tears to see Bura standing in front of her with a hand on one hip.
" I thought so too."
Bura knelt down next to Pan to pull her into a comforting hug. Both stayed in that position until Pan's sobs slowed down to gentle sniffles. Pulling away, Pan glanced at Bura's dress, the shoulder part now soaked with her tears. She laughed despite her situation.
" Look Pan. You've destroyed my designer dress." Bura said in a mock angry tone.
" Yeh...I guess I have."
Bura patted Pan on the head, a gesture she didn't appreciate.
" You're a silly girl Pan...you know that?"
" Yeh I know. Of all the people I had to go and choose to fall in love with..."
" You had to pick my brother. Well...he's one in a million."
Bura's heart went out for Pan. She almost didn't recognise her. She had never seen Pan in such a state...she had always seemed tough. Now her hair was in disarray, the dark circles underneath enhanced the redness her eyes. Her shoulders slumped, showing how tired and weary she was.
" Pan...I..."
" Why. Why in Dende's name do I have to fall in love with HIM of all people. Why do you have to torture me with this...why?"
Pan slammed her hand down on the ground, causing a crack in the earth.
" Maybe you should tell Trunks. You'd feel better."
Pan let out a defeated sigh.
" No. What good would that do? I should give him up. He's engaged to be married to that...Ayako. I'll probably just make them feel uncomfortable. It wouldn't change things...and I couldn't face him after that. I should hold onto what I have."
Bura gripped Pan's shoulders, forcing her to look her in the eyes.
" Listen to me Pan. You have NOTHING right now. I know its hurting inside...but you have to tell him. Its better for both of you...how do you know that he won't love you back?"
" Have you gone mad Bura? You know your brother as well as I do. He'll never see me as anything but a kid sister let alone LOVE me."
" You haven't even told him yet! You can't just say he won't if you don't ask. Is it better to live without regrets?"
Pan's tears stopped at Bura's words.
" I don't know. All I know is that I don't want to face him for awhile."
Bura stood up, extending a hand to Pan.
" Alright then. Lets go party...we'll do it all night if we have to."
Pan smiled through her tears as she accepted Bura's hand and got up.
" Listen...I'm sorry I spoilt your night with Goten."
" It's fine...we can always go out again some other time...it just means you owe me another shopping trip!"
" WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY?!"
Trunks slamned his fist into a wall, causing it to crack and fall to pieces on the floor. After the dinner, he and Goten had returned home, hoping to find Pan and Bura for an explanation for the night's events. It was now mid afternoon and there was still no sign of them.
" Chill out Trunks. I've no doubt that they're fine."
Trunks stared at Goten, giving him a menacing stare.
" How can they be fine? They've been gone all night...and all morning!"
Gotn held up his hands in surrender.
" Hey man...calm down. They're saiyajins. Pan can take care of herself...so can Bura. I'm sure they're just partying...but I have to admit...I'm annoyed at the fact they didn't invite me. Of course...it was probably an inpromptu girls night out."
" But-"
" But nothing Trunks! You're getting worked up over nothing. You're not usually this high strung about Bura being out...why now?"
" Because Pan...never mind."
Goten raised an eyebrow at the mention of his niece's name.
" That's never bothered you before either."
" It couldn't bother me. She was 14 the last time I saw her!"
Goten smirked.
" the fact that she's 18 now changes that?"
Trunks' anger level decreased as he took a seat next to Goten under the tree. He made a mental note to fix the wall of his home.
" whats that supposed to mean?"
" Take it however you want to...but I think you've got some thing about Pan."
Trunks looked down at his engagement ring thoughtfully.
" I can't have a thing for Pan Goten. I'm engaged to Ayako."
" You can't...or you don't?"
" I..."
Trunks couldn't bring himself to say anything. Goten leaned back against the trunk of the tree with his arms tucked behind his head.
" You know Trunks...you're not exactly married. Yet."
His engagement ring shone in the sunlight that peeked through the leafy branches of the tree.
" Yeh...but I'm not so sure about this. A week ago I was sure Ayako was the one for me...and I don't think I'm willing the jeopardise that for something that may or may not happen."
Goten chuckled at his friends perdicament.
" You know Trunks...I'm surprised I didn't see this coming. My baka niece is in love with you. I wasn't sure at first...but at dinner yesterday..."
" Pan? In love with me? No way!"
" Yes way. In a way I feel sorry for her."
" Whys that?"
" You're a womanizer Trunks."
" Hey! I resent that!"
" okok. Lately *maybe* you've been settling down a little bit..."
" With Ayako."
An image of Ayako entered Trunks' mind. Luminous green eyes, wavy chestnut brown hair and tall willowy figure. Sweet personality...sometimes.
" Think of it this way. It will happen if you go for it. Otherwise your going to wonder for the rest of your possibly miserable life- could I have had a happier life with someone else?"
" I can't do that to Ayako. She's been my girlfriend for ages...I can't just desert her for a whim."
" Ayako is supposed to be your future WIFE. Not a burden and you shouldn't stay with her just because you think it's the right thing to do. Your wife is supposed to be someone you love, a bond between your hearts and souls."
Trunks stared at the floor, thinking about the meaning of Goten's words.
" What should I do? How am I going to tell Ayako...?"
" Just tell her the truth."
" And whats that?"
Goten grinned at him and slapped him playfully on the back.
" You're not ready for that kind of commitment."
Author's note: Damnit! It was inevitable...it turned into angst...I was hoping to have a little light hearted lovey dovey mush in this fic...but well...maybe later.
I have to say that I toyed around with the idea of Marron being Trunks' girlfriend...but I didn't want to do it. No Marron bashing in this fic...I wanted it to be somebody that I could get rid of easily...without the whole " I've known her for ages I can't do that to her " thing that comes with using Marron.
I think I can squeeze another 2 chapters out of this...I think you guys can see I'm getting sick of writing this so I'm going for a quick finish...sorta. Better than no ending right?