I know. It's been almost two weeks, but what you've been waiting for is finally here. Enjoy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Nine
I wanted to turn back the hands of time to about a week ago. Then I would tell myself to
dismiss any feelings I thought I was having. Or the Dragonballs…they would rectify this
whole matter. I'd just wish that everything were the way it should be. But… that was
crazy. Things would never be the same.
Trunks yawned and nuzzled up closer to me. He had fallen asleep a couple hours ago, but
I couldn't. I had entirely too much on my mind. I knew I felt something for him and
yes…I loved him. But that scared the hell out of me. The whole time I had this crush, I
could have sworn I liked him more than he would ever have liked me. But fate had other
plans. He loved and cared for me long before I even had a clue. His feelings lay so much
deeper than mine. What kind of relationship could we possibly have? And what about
the families?
I moved under Trunks slowly, not wanting to wake him. He was really a sweetheart.
Whoever would end up getting him was very lucky. As a stood, I looked at his face. He
actually appeared quite peaceful, his regal features softened by the dim light of the living
room. I sighed and walked up my stairs. It was about time I take a shower and get
dressed. Then perhaps go talk to Goten
About a half-hour later, I made my way back into the living room. Nice and freshly
showered, I felt a little bit better. I threw on some jeans and a tank top and pulled my hair
into a ponytail. Trunks had awoken, but we exchanged no words. He probably sensed I
felt there was nothing to be said. Still, he held my hand as I walked to the door and
slipped on a pair of gym shoes. Even now, trying to comfort me. Was this a blessing or a
curse?
Trunks and I landed in the back of Capsule Corp. It was the afternoon, and that meant
sparring, no matter what. The moon could be reforming and falling into the Pacific, it
didn't make any difference. The gravity chamber rattled to the left of us. Of course, it
sounded like Vegeta was training fiercely, though there was obviously no need to. Bulma
was probably inside and Bra…at a mall. But, they weren't who I was looking for. I felt
his ki here, but where was he?
"Babe, do you really want to do this," Trunks asked me, putting his arms around me. The
answer was of course 'No,' but I simply had to. The time for running had past. Though,
facing fears hadn't exactly given the desired effect for me, either. I took in a deep breath
and walked toward the back door of the place, which was always open. It led to the
kitchen, the most vital place for a Saiya-jin in training. I remember how we would fight
for whom had first dibs, and Goten always won. Those were the days. If only I could get
them back.
From the kitchen, we entered the dining room. It was empty here as well. This place was
really only used for family functions…and the occasional food fight when we were
younger. I remember that Thanksgiving we had a biscuit fight with those rock hard balls
of bread Bulma tried to make by hand. Tien almost lost an eye! Funny how this woman
was smarter than most people on earth combined…and couldn't bake worth a damn. I
chuckled, then led Trunks further inside.
I stopped at the sitting room. Now here was a place with a ton of memories. Parties,
parties and more parties. So much dancing, so much fun, so many times watching Vegeta
dance with Bulma, always swearing it would never happen again. Goten and Trunks
searching for the mistletoe at Christmas time. Bra always trying to do my hair and pick
out my dress, and yelling at me when I took it down halfway through the parties. All I
could do was sigh. How long gone those days are. I let go of Trunks' hand and walked
over to the armchair across the room. There sat a dark-haired man…the one I had been
looking for.
"Goten, do you mind," I asked him. I walked closer to the chair, but he didn't respond. I
could feel the animosity in the room. It was so thick you had to cut it with a knife. I was
about to place my hand on his shoulder, but I felt his ki flare in anger. That was a clear
sign to back off. There would be no talking today. I wanted to say something so badly
though. My heart pounded furiously, my breathing incredibly harsh.
A gentle hand touched my shoulder, and I slowly calmed down.
"Leave it alone," Trunks said firmly, almost like a warning. I did not disobey or question
his suggestion. I just turned around and looked into my lovers' eyes.
My lover.
Discontent, I let out a huge sigh and dove into his chest. Crying was not an option right
now. Besides, I've run out of tears. Trunks slid his hands around my waist and placed his
chin on the top of my head. He held me so close, I could hear his heart beating.
"Let's get out of here," I whispered to him. He did not confirm, he just lifted his head and
turned around. He wanted to leave much more than I did, I could feel it. The tension was
more between him and Goten…not me. I couldn't leave things like they were. There had
to be some type of resolution. Without thinking, I grabbed at Trunks' hand and he turned
to look at me. His eyes were begging me to leave with him. I've never seen a look so
painful.
"Please, let's just go," he whispered.
"No, I think we all need to sit down and talk," I said loud enough for Goten to hear. But
of course, he ignored.
"Pan, he doesn't want to talk. Let's just go home, ok," he pleaded to me. He was acting
more like myself, trying to run away. I wasn't going to let him make the same mistake I
had. He was staying and talking.
"Let him go, Pan. You two can go and be happy. I have nothing to say to him," Goten's
voiced echoed from the chair.
Both Trunks and myself spun about and looked at the general area. He still had not turned
to us, but he continued to speak.
"GO! Leave me be. Stop pretending like you care," he said, this time, his voice straining.
His head lowered and I heard what sounded like stifled sobs. Trunks was obviously
feeling his pain, as a tear rolled down his cheek. I understood, after all…this was his
lover for years. I walked over to my uncle and placed my hand on his shoulder. I
expected him to jerk away, but he didn't. Instead, he began to sob agonizingly loud.
I heard footsteps coming from upstairs. Two heads peer around the corner at the top of
the stairs, one had a head of blue hair, the other green, but faces almost identical. Bra's
face looked more serious as she saw my hand on Goten. She sneered, but stayed at her
current position. Bulma just appeared curious, but slightly agitated.
Weren't we all to some extent?
Goten refocused my attention to him. He stood up and turned to me. His eyes were
bloodshot and swollen, his usually full face appeared gaunt. He has been crying for a
while. I was thinking of the words to say, but what could I really say? Sorry for sleeping
with your fiancé, he loves you, but loves me more.
Yeah right.
I guess it would be best to stop thinking so much and just react. Maybe that would work.
"Goten, I honestly do not know what to tell you. I do feel awful and I know why you hate
me…and I'm just as confused as you are," then I paused. This wasn't working. I turned
and sensed Vegeta walking into the scene, fresh from the gravity chamber.
Oh, great. I get to have a live studio audience.
I looked up at the stairs. Bra and Bulma made their way down the stairs and stood next to
Vegeta. All I needed was my parents to show up.
Then the damn doorbell rung.
"I felt Goten's ki flare, as well as Pan's," Videl said as she walked in, dragging her
husband behind her. She was shocked to see the whole gang all herded into the sitting
room. I just wanted to crawl under a rock and never come back up. Why where they all
watching? If they want this type of entertainment, that's what Jerry Springer is for…not
your own damn family.
My mother was feisty enough to outdo and Saiya-jin woman. I swear, her and Chi-Chi
must have had their tails ripped off at birth or something. She persistently pulled my
father from the door all the way up to me. Dad just let her, even though he could have
easily broken free. She stood next to Goten, directly in front of me, and let go of Father's
hand. Her chest was heaving up and down, her eyes narrowed and angry. Her silky hair,
much like my own, clung to her sweat-laden forehead.
Ohhh, I was in for it.
"Young lady, now what are you doing here upsetting poor Goten even more? Didn't I
teach you better than that? And Trunks he's so much older that you…" and she just went
on and on about how I just dishonored the entire Son family and disrupted our normal
flow of life and blah, blah, blah. Thankfully someone silenced her chatter.
"Woman, SHUT UP," Vegeta growled from of the corners. Everyone turned and looked
at him. He threw his towel around his neck and leaned against the neighboring wall. He
knew he was really the only one with enough dominance to control the situation.
My mother sneered and folded her arms. She did not move away from Goten though. I
guess you can't have it all. Reluctantly, I took in a deep breath and let it fill my lungs.
Perhaps this time I would make sense, but I was stopped once more.
"Pan, I don't hate you," Goten said looking at the floor at first, then his charcoal eyes met
mine. So full of emotion. "I don't even hate Trunks…I'm just in a lot of pain. After all,
that is the man I love."
I could see the tears well up in his eyes as he glanced past me and to Trunks. I turned to
see is expression, and it seemed equally painful. It was plain to see that he still loved
Goten…why was he even being bothered with me? Soon, I was waiting as eagerly for an
answer as my uncle was. I folded my arms and just stared at him. I guess it was a bit too
much.
"Goten, I never meant to hurt you. I do love you, but not the same way I used to. I was
ashamed to say it because we've been together for so long. But, I can't hide it anymore. I
want you to be happy, but I want to be happy also," Trunks blurted out.
I then turned back to my uncle and placed my hand over his. I know my eyes were
pleading, but that's how I felt. He looked down at my hand, then up at me. I could only
guess what was going through his head. Surprisingly, he took my other hand and I
gasped. Hey, I had a right to be shocked.
"I love you, I don't want to hurt you, Uncle. I don't know what I want myself," I
whispered to him. It was a bit of a lie though. I knew what I wanted. I was just scared to
act upon it. I was scared of the fallout. Scared of how my family would look at me. But
suddenly, my audience melted away and there was just Goten and myself. He didn't
smile or cry, he just looked down.
"You know what you want, Pan…and I can't to anything about it," he said only for I to
hear. My eyes widened. What was he saying? Was he just giving up? Impossible!
After holding on for a few more seconds he released my hands and walked out the front
door. After it shut, I was brought back to reality. All eyes were on me, and I had a sinking
feeling.
My mother turned her nose up at me, then grabbed my father's hand and proceeded out
the door, but not before saying, "You stop by later on this evening young lady." Bulma
looked at me, then at her son, and slowly proceeded up the stairs without so much as a
word. Bra folded her arms, having a reaction much like my moms, and followed behind
her own Kaasan. Vegeta appeared to have just disappeared, for the gravity chamber was
rattling once more.
I turned and looked at Trunks. His face was full of concern. I rose to my tiptoes and
planted a soft kiss on his cheek. He closed his eyes and savored its sweetness. As I pulled
away, he grabbed me forcefully and placed his lips onto mine. Passionately, he ran his
fingers through my hair, taking the ponytail holder out. The kiss was so deep and
completely through. He pulled his lips away, both of us breathing heavily.
I looked into those eyes, those deep beautiful eyes of his and finally, I found what I had
been looking for. In him lay the certainty I needed, the strength I lacked. For the first time
in what seemed like an eternity, I smiled. I still didn't know where we were going to go,
but what we were going to do…but that's part of the fun of life. Right?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. The Epiloge should be up soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Nine
I wanted to turn back the hands of time to about a week ago. Then I would tell myself to
dismiss any feelings I thought I was having. Or the Dragonballs…they would rectify this
whole matter. I'd just wish that everything were the way it should be. But… that was
crazy. Things would never be the same.
Trunks yawned and nuzzled up closer to me. He had fallen asleep a couple hours ago, but
I couldn't. I had entirely too much on my mind. I knew I felt something for him and
yes…I loved him. But that scared the hell out of me. The whole time I had this crush, I
could have sworn I liked him more than he would ever have liked me. But fate had other
plans. He loved and cared for me long before I even had a clue. His feelings lay so much
deeper than mine. What kind of relationship could we possibly have? And what about
the families?
I moved under Trunks slowly, not wanting to wake him. He was really a sweetheart.
Whoever would end up getting him was very lucky. As a stood, I looked at his face. He
actually appeared quite peaceful, his regal features softened by the dim light of the living
room. I sighed and walked up my stairs. It was about time I take a shower and get
dressed. Then perhaps go talk to Goten
About a half-hour later, I made my way back into the living room. Nice and freshly
showered, I felt a little bit better. I threw on some jeans and a tank top and pulled my hair
into a ponytail. Trunks had awoken, but we exchanged no words. He probably sensed I
felt there was nothing to be said. Still, he held my hand as I walked to the door and
slipped on a pair of gym shoes. Even now, trying to comfort me. Was this a blessing or a
curse?
Trunks and I landed in the back of Capsule Corp. It was the afternoon, and that meant
sparring, no matter what. The moon could be reforming and falling into the Pacific, it
didn't make any difference. The gravity chamber rattled to the left of us. Of course, it
sounded like Vegeta was training fiercely, though there was obviously no need to. Bulma
was probably inside and Bra…at a mall. But, they weren't who I was looking for. I felt
his ki here, but where was he?
"Babe, do you really want to do this," Trunks asked me, putting his arms around me. The
answer was of course 'No,' but I simply had to. The time for running had past. Though,
facing fears hadn't exactly given the desired effect for me, either. I took in a deep breath
and walked toward the back door of the place, which was always open. It led to the
kitchen, the most vital place for a Saiya-jin in training. I remember how we would fight
for whom had first dibs, and Goten always won. Those were the days. If only I could get
them back.
From the kitchen, we entered the dining room. It was empty here as well. This place was
really only used for family functions…and the occasional food fight when we were
younger. I remember that Thanksgiving we had a biscuit fight with those rock hard balls
of bread Bulma tried to make by hand. Tien almost lost an eye! Funny how this woman
was smarter than most people on earth combined…and couldn't bake worth a damn. I
chuckled, then led Trunks further inside.
I stopped at the sitting room. Now here was a place with a ton of memories. Parties,
parties and more parties. So much dancing, so much fun, so many times watching Vegeta
dance with Bulma, always swearing it would never happen again. Goten and Trunks
searching for the mistletoe at Christmas time. Bra always trying to do my hair and pick
out my dress, and yelling at me when I took it down halfway through the parties. All I
could do was sigh. How long gone those days are. I let go of Trunks' hand and walked
over to the armchair across the room. There sat a dark-haired man…the one I had been
looking for.
"Goten, do you mind," I asked him. I walked closer to the chair, but he didn't respond. I
could feel the animosity in the room. It was so thick you had to cut it with a knife. I was
about to place my hand on his shoulder, but I felt his ki flare in anger. That was a clear
sign to back off. There would be no talking today. I wanted to say something so badly
though. My heart pounded furiously, my breathing incredibly harsh.
A gentle hand touched my shoulder, and I slowly calmed down.
"Leave it alone," Trunks said firmly, almost like a warning. I did not disobey or question
his suggestion. I just turned around and looked into my lovers' eyes.
My lover.
Discontent, I let out a huge sigh and dove into his chest. Crying was not an option right
now. Besides, I've run out of tears. Trunks slid his hands around my waist and placed his
chin on the top of my head. He held me so close, I could hear his heart beating.
"Let's get out of here," I whispered to him. He did not confirm, he just lifted his head and
turned around. He wanted to leave much more than I did, I could feel it. The tension was
more between him and Goten…not me. I couldn't leave things like they were. There had
to be some type of resolution. Without thinking, I grabbed at Trunks' hand and he turned
to look at me. His eyes were begging me to leave with him. I've never seen a look so
painful.
"Please, let's just go," he whispered.
"No, I think we all need to sit down and talk," I said loud enough for Goten to hear. But
of course, he ignored.
"Pan, he doesn't want to talk. Let's just go home, ok," he pleaded to me. He was acting
more like myself, trying to run away. I wasn't going to let him make the same mistake I
had. He was staying and talking.
"Let him go, Pan. You two can go and be happy. I have nothing to say to him," Goten's
voiced echoed from the chair.
Both Trunks and myself spun about and looked at the general area. He still had not turned
to us, but he continued to speak.
"GO! Leave me be. Stop pretending like you care," he said, this time, his voice straining.
His head lowered and I heard what sounded like stifled sobs. Trunks was obviously
feeling his pain, as a tear rolled down his cheek. I understood, after all…this was his
lover for years. I walked over to my uncle and placed my hand on his shoulder. I
expected him to jerk away, but he didn't. Instead, he began to sob agonizingly loud.
I heard footsteps coming from upstairs. Two heads peer around the corner at the top of
the stairs, one had a head of blue hair, the other green, but faces almost identical. Bra's
face looked more serious as she saw my hand on Goten. She sneered, but stayed at her
current position. Bulma just appeared curious, but slightly agitated.
Weren't we all to some extent?
Goten refocused my attention to him. He stood up and turned to me. His eyes were
bloodshot and swollen, his usually full face appeared gaunt. He has been crying for a
while. I was thinking of the words to say, but what could I really say? Sorry for sleeping
with your fiancé, he loves you, but loves me more.
Yeah right.
I guess it would be best to stop thinking so much and just react. Maybe that would work.
"Goten, I honestly do not know what to tell you. I do feel awful and I know why you hate
me…and I'm just as confused as you are," then I paused. This wasn't working. I turned
and sensed Vegeta walking into the scene, fresh from the gravity chamber.
Oh, great. I get to have a live studio audience.
I looked up at the stairs. Bra and Bulma made their way down the stairs and stood next to
Vegeta. All I needed was my parents to show up.
Then the damn doorbell rung.
"I felt Goten's ki flare, as well as Pan's," Videl said as she walked in, dragging her
husband behind her. She was shocked to see the whole gang all herded into the sitting
room. I just wanted to crawl under a rock and never come back up. Why where they all
watching? If they want this type of entertainment, that's what Jerry Springer is for…not
your own damn family.
My mother was feisty enough to outdo and Saiya-jin woman. I swear, her and Chi-Chi
must have had their tails ripped off at birth or something. She persistently pulled my
father from the door all the way up to me. Dad just let her, even though he could have
easily broken free. She stood next to Goten, directly in front of me, and let go of Father's
hand. Her chest was heaving up and down, her eyes narrowed and angry. Her silky hair,
much like my own, clung to her sweat-laden forehead.
Ohhh, I was in for it.
"Young lady, now what are you doing here upsetting poor Goten even more? Didn't I
teach you better than that? And Trunks he's so much older that you…" and she just went
on and on about how I just dishonored the entire Son family and disrupted our normal
flow of life and blah, blah, blah. Thankfully someone silenced her chatter.
"Woman, SHUT UP," Vegeta growled from of the corners. Everyone turned and looked
at him. He threw his towel around his neck and leaned against the neighboring wall. He
knew he was really the only one with enough dominance to control the situation.
My mother sneered and folded her arms. She did not move away from Goten though. I
guess you can't have it all. Reluctantly, I took in a deep breath and let it fill my lungs.
Perhaps this time I would make sense, but I was stopped once more.
"Pan, I don't hate you," Goten said looking at the floor at first, then his charcoal eyes met
mine. So full of emotion. "I don't even hate Trunks…I'm just in a lot of pain. After all,
that is the man I love."
I could see the tears well up in his eyes as he glanced past me and to Trunks. I turned to
see is expression, and it seemed equally painful. It was plain to see that he still loved
Goten…why was he even being bothered with me? Soon, I was waiting as eagerly for an
answer as my uncle was. I folded my arms and just stared at him. I guess it was a bit too
much.
"Goten, I never meant to hurt you. I do love you, but not the same way I used to. I was
ashamed to say it because we've been together for so long. But, I can't hide it anymore. I
want you to be happy, but I want to be happy also," Trunks blurted out.
I then turned back to my uncle and placed my hand over his. I know my eyes were
pleading, but that's how I felt. He looked down at my hand, then up at me. I could only
guess what was going through his head. Surprisingly, he took my other hand and I
gasped. Hey, I had a right to be shocked.
"I love you, I don't want to hurt you, Uncle. I don't know what I want myself," I
whispered to him. It was a bit of a lie though. I knew what I wanted. I was just scared to
act upon it. I was scared of the fallout. Scared of how my family would look at me. But
suddenly, my audience melted away and there was just Goten and myself. He didn't
smile or cry, he just looked down.
"You know what you want, Pan…and I can't to anything about it," he said only for I to
hear. My eyes widened. What was he saying? Was he just giving up? Impossible!
After holding on for a few more seconds he released my hands and walked out the front
door. After it shut, I was brought back to reality. All eyes were on me, and I had a sinking
feeling.
My mother turned her nose up at me, then grabbed my father's hand and proceeded out
the door, but not before saying, "You stop by later on this evening young lady." Bulma
looked at me, then at her son, and slowly proceeded up the stairs without so much as a
word. Bra folded her arms, having a reaction much like my moms, and followed behind
her own Kaasan. Vegeta appeared to have just disappeared, for the gravity chamber was
rattling once more.
I turned and looked at Trunks. His face was full of concern. I rose to my tiptoes and
planted a soft kiss on his cheek. He closed his eyes and savored its sweetness. As I pulled
away, he grabbed me forcefully and placed his lips onto mine. Passionately, he ran his
fingers through my hair, taking the ponytail holder out. The kiss was so deep and
completely through. He pulled his lips away, both of us breathing heavily.
I looked into those eyes, those deep beautiful eyes of his and finally, I found what I had
been looking for. In him lay the certainty I needed, the strength I lacked. For the first time
in what seemed like an eternity, I smiled. I still didn't know where we were going to go,
but what we were going to do…but that's part of the fun of life. Right?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. The Epiloge should be up soon.
