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The sun was beginning to settle into the sky over Tokyo as I sat on the balcony of my apartment with my roommate Ayaka. We just graduated from university yesturday and were finally recovering from the party we had had the night before. Somehow we got on the converstaion about crushes and former flames. After about 2 hours of listing to Ayaka ramble on and on about her former lovers and crushes she suddenly turned to me with a silly grin.
"What about you Pan? We have been roommates for 4 years now and you've never even really dated. I have been very patience about not asking but now that we'll be leaving soon, I am dying to know. What kind of guys do you go for?"
I felt a warmth spread into my face and I knew I must be blushing but I could not help it. I mean, how could I tell Ayaka that the reason I didn't date was because I could never be in an honest relationship with a man who didn't understand me or my family. I guess thats the reason I never tried anymore was because everytime anyone found out I was just a little different or powerful, they ran in fear. It was bad enough that grandpa is "Mr. Satan" but it they knew my father was one of the "Golden warriors," well I might as well just lock myself up because everyone would be too afraid of me. It had taken a lot of courage to try to build a normal life around my powers but so far I was doing okay and I don't want any guy messing up what I have worked so hard for, just to be dissappointed in the end. It simply wasn't worth it, although love did appeal to me... alot.
"Pan?" Ayaka waved her hand in my face snapping me back to attention.
"Huh?"
"You zoned out a minute. Are you gonna answer me or what?" The mischievious glem in her eyes scared me a little.
"Well... I guess I like guys who are nice, strong, and st..." My voice was cut of without my even thinking. For the first time in years, I felt a ki stronger than I had ever felt before. It spiked dangerously before fading but it remained strong. I knew it wasn't Dad but who else could be that strong?!
"Pan?!" Ayaka looked concerned. "Whats wrong? Are you okay?"
I was already out of my chair and running to the phone silently praying that Ayaka did not notice the super speed I used. "I have to call my father. Its fine. I... uh... just remembered something. Thats all."
I picked up the phone and dialed as fast as I could. It rang and rang. After the 9th ring I hung up and the knot in my stomach was almost enough to double me over but I had to try Bra. Maybe she knew but her phone just rang and rang as well. Then it hit me and I ran to my day planner looking though the phone numbers till I found what I was looking for. It was Trunks cell phone for emergencies only. He never used it so if it rang, he should be alert enough to answer. Please Dende, let him answer!
I dialed as fast as possible and I did not even notice Ayaka beside me. The phone rang twice and when it was answered, I was immediatly answered but shouts of voices I had known all my life. Mostly Trunks, Dad and Vegeta but I could swear that I heard Mom, Uncle Goten and Bulma too, among other unclear voices.
"What!?" His voice was harsh and strained and it brought tears to my eyes. The sounds on the other end of the phone were clearly a battle. It had been so many years, why now.
"Trunks?" I tried to keep my voice steady but he knew me better than that.
"Pan?!"
"Yes." I could barely talk. I just wanted to cry. This could not be happening.
"Oh thank Dende! Pan! Stay where you are! DO NOT come here. Do you hear me?"
"Whats happening Trunks?!"
"It will be okay... just stay there safe. Promise m-" His voice was cut off and I heard all the air escape his lungs, as if he had been punched in the gut.
"TRUNKS!" The terror just jumped out of my mouth before I could stop it. I waited on the phone a moment before I heard it go dead. This was unreal. It could not be happening. I was frozen a moment before I realized that Ayaka had wrapped me in a big hug. She may not understand but she knew I was afraid.
"I have to go Ayaka! Please don't tell anyone about this okay? I will explain later! I promise!" I gave her a quick squeeze and flew off with a shot out the window leaving her speechless in my wake.
Without so much a looking back I flew towards home. It had been about 4 years since I had flown but I guess you never forget how because I don't think I had even flown that fast before. I was saying silent prayers the entire way home but when I got to Capsule Corp, I was completly unprepared for what I saw. Death and distruction was everywhere. Bodies lay strewn through the street but it looked like the battle had subsided for at least a little while because no one outside moved. I quickly made my way to the main hall of the Capsule Corp offices that had not been destroyed and stepped inside.
"Mom, Dad?" I walked further down the hallway, past deserted offices and empty break rooms. "Bulma, Trunks?" I tried to sense for ki but either they were keeping thier kis low to keep from getting detected or -. No. I could not start thinking like that. There is no way they were dead. They were just hiding and I have to find them. "Bra, Uncle Goten, VEGETA!" I started to panic. I guss maybe yelling to Vegeta for help should be the definition of panic but for some reason, his name made me feel a little better. I was about ready to give up and try another building when I heard a noise behind me. My whole body went stif and I turned slowly to met what I was sure was my end.
To my surprise, Dad was standing in front of me with what I swear were tears in his eyes. "Pan?"
I could not talk, so I ran to Dad and threw my arms around him. Thats when I realized that he was bleeding... badly. "W-what happened?"
"We were attacked. Lower your ki and follow me. I'll explain everything when we get to a safe place." He gave me one more quick squeeze and it seemed like he was trying to make sure I was really there. I followed him down 2 flights of stairs and into a secure room that looked, from the outside, almost like a safe. When we entered the room and lay eyes upon my family and friends I was shocked and sickened. Nothing could have prepared me for this and tears instantly welled up in my eyes.
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