To See Your Face Again ch.5
Hello everybody! Thanks for the reviews! Have you figured out who we are yet? Hint: I love my jeans, Bra loves her gowns, in both of our pen names you will find common nouns! o.O Know yet? If you do, keep your mouth shut and send an email to moonlight_saiyan@hotmail.com. We don't own DBZ, and I don't own anything else I decide to mention that isn't mine… Geez, I hate disclaimers. Anyways, please sit down! Oh, you already are? Well, then, make your self comfortable. Would you like a cup of coffee? ::a hand pops out of your computer screen offering you a cup of coffee:: Cozy? Good. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!
(Pan's chapter)
I'm such an adrenaline junkie. I've really gone and done it this time! Damn it, look at me. I'm smiling my ass off… but I really can't help it! It's such a wonderful feeling… to be free… the question is, am I running away from home, or trying to find my home? Oooh, here's my stop!
Getting off the bus, Pan looked up to the right. The castle…Casa Loma… could be seen just down the street. She had gone there on a school trip once… turning she smiled. Before her stood Dupont station. Pan pushed her way through the crowd, and headed down to the subway platform, by means of going down the up escalator. The walls of Dupont Station were orange… they matched her bandanna. (Which she wasn't wearing so that she could blend into the crowd.) She heard the roar of the Southbound train in the distance, long before anyone else did. It sped through the tunnel, blasting her with a familiar, much welcomed gust of wind. The doors slid open and the subway made it's little ding-dong-ding. Pan went through the doors and looked around. The subway was awfully empty. She didn't sit though. She loved to test her balance against the rocking of TTC vehicles.
She didn't really know what TTC stood for, but it was on all the buses and subways. She supposed it was something like Toronto Transit and Communications. It was a joke with the kids at her school, whenever the bus would take to long to come, that TTC actually meant Take The Car. Pan looked up at the advertisements around the subway.
The same old thing. All the time. I can't wait to see a new city! Or maybe cities aren't my thing… I gotta check out the suburbs… well, whatever I do, I sure know I'm in for a change of scenery! I'm going to the USA, obviously. I mean… I could go west... but… the prairie provinces just don't appeal to me. I'm a city girl. I know that there are tons of cities in the Canadian prairies, but… well, I just don't feel like going there! I'm going to America… and I know just the way to get there…
Looking around, Pan noticed one last advertisement. A sarcastic remark about how expensive everything was in the US. Oh Kami! If I was a Anime character, this is where the sweatdrop would go. Pan looked around, and finding her section of the subway practically empty, she took out her money. This is all the money I have in the world. I wonder how long it will last? I worked hard for this. "And first place in the photography contest goes to… Pan! A prize of $90!" "The winner of the writing competition… Pan! A prize of $50!" "Public speaking!" "Dramatic Arts!"
Not to mention practically starving myself of lunch a few days per week so that I could save up a little cash. I guess that deep down I knew I would be needing this. $650… what's that in American? Well depending on the current exchange rate, I'm guessing about 4 hundred something. If it's less, then I'm SO screwed.
A voice came over the loudspeaker. Union Station. At last! Union Station… This is the station closest to America. Lake Ontario is directly south.
The subway pulled into the station and Pan got off. She ran up the down escalator (habit) and looked around. There were little subway shops all over. Even a Japan Camera. She looked over to the left. That way led to the sky walk, which would take you to the CN Tower. She remembered that the entrance to the GO trains was on the way to the sky walk. Pan walked through the swarm of people that flocked downtown for business, for tourism, and of course the inexplicable attraction of downtown shopping.
Noticing a bunch of chairs in the middle of a mall-like building, Pan, although puzzled, noticed a similarity to an airport waiting room. She walked over to a chair and sat on it, acting like she knew what she was doing. She noticed a giant screen up on the wall. It kept track of the GO Trains status. Just like an airport. Delayed, Arrived, Departed… She looked over the destinations. She wanted to go as far south as possible…
The southernmost location on the screen was New York city… but then another name caught her eye. Niagara Falls. She wouldn't mind seeing the falls one last time. Then she could walk over the Rainbow Bridge to Buffalo. It was the long way, she knew, but it was an adventure, and for once, she could do what she wanted to do. So I'm going to Niagara Falls.
But how the hell do I get a ticket?
"Where are you going to?"
Pan looked to the source of the voice and found a boy, taller than her, but most likely near to her age, seated beside her.
"I'm going to Niagara Falls. What about you?"
The boy looked up at the board for a second, and whispered, "I don't know."
"What?" asked Pan, also in a whisper, "What do you mean?"
"I'm running away," he mumbled in voice so low that is was not humanly audible.
Pan heard his words, and smiled, "Me too."
"Can I come with you? Please…" the boy looked scared. Pan didn't want anyone tagging along with her. She didn't want to play baby-sitter to some kid who obviously didn't know his way around… but it would be nice to have company on the train. Traveling alone was too suspicious.
"I guess… but don't bug me, and do what I say."
He was about to object, but he sighed, realizing that he needed her help and nodded, "How do we get tickets?"
"By looking and listening carefully," Pan immediately began scanning the area with her sharp eyes.
"Huh? What do you…"
"Shut up!" Pan heard a voice in the distance.
"Those machines are so friggin crappy! They took forever to give me my ticket. Any longer and I woulda missed the train. Leave it up to technology to screw things up."
Pan smiled, and looked at the boy, "Did you hear that? Machines. Let's go find them. The Niagara train leaves in ten minutes."
She got up and walked fast, but inconspicuously around the area. She noticed stairs. Running down them, three at a time, she was greeted by little red machines. Yes! She thought, triumphantly. She quickly touched the screen and went through the transaction. $50!!!! Fine. If it'll get me there. She let her bill slip reluctantly through her fingers and into the machine. A ticket popped out and she grabbed it. Turning around, she nearly crashed into the boy.
"What are you waiting for! Buy your damn ticket and let's get out of here!" She looked at his face… she knew that look… the classic puppy dog eyes gimme-cash look, "No…NO!!"
"But…" he gestured to her wad of cash, "I really need to get out of Toronto!!! And…and… I don't have any money…"
"NO WAY KID! Go home to your parents. You aren't fit to survive out here. You shoulda stolen money. First rule of the game… do whatever it takes to survive. I earned this money. I'm not wasting it on some weakling like you. They'll probably find you and send you home right after you get to Niagara. Leave me alone!"
She shoved him out of her way and walked past him.
"PLEASE!" He shouted.
She stopped and clenched her fist. Turning she glared at the boy, "If I pay for your ticket, what can you do for me?"
He smiled, "I can do a lot for you. By the time we get to Niagara Falls it will be night. Where do you plan on sleeping?"
Pan frowned, "Up a tall tree, thank you very much."
"Well…You know those hotels that overlook the falls?"
"Yes… those expensive hotels. I'm listening."
"I can get you into one of those. If you don't mind sharing a room with me…"
"A bedroom?!"
"No, of course not! There's separate bedrooms…"
"Good. How do you plan paying for this? Those hotels are expensive," Pan knew that there was only a few minutes till the train departed. She would run if his proposition didn't interest her.
"I won a geography competition," he shrugged, "Free admittance into any one of the world's top hotels for one night every year. No cash value… and it doesn't have my name on it, so they won't be able to track me…"
Pan thought about it, "I'd much rather sleep up a tree…"
"The view's breathtaking. Big Screen TV. Internet access. Large Bedrooms. Large bathrooms and hot tubs. Worth more than $50."
Pan hesitated, "I don't know…"
"They serve great food."
"I don't think… Hey, wait a sec, did you say food?"
* * *
I cannot believe I bought him a ticket. Pan sat across from the boy on the train, headed to Niagara Falls. She had long ago said goodbye once and for all to Toronto. It had been an interesting city… She had looked at the CN tower and remembered how from one side, near the very top, you could see nothing but city, sky scrapers and businesses… but a short walk around and there's nothing but water, and the beautiful Toronto Islands. Toronto was great… but not her home any longer! She was finally moving on… and she loved it!
She looked at the boy across from her. They had made small talk, and she had found out why he was running away. Abusive parents. How predictable. His name was Elilan. It meant mouse in his language… his parents had thought he looked like a mouse as a baby. What a sick sense of humor some parents have. At least his name doesn't mean bread… or the God of Sheep, like mine does.
Pan had spent $100 already… She was beginning to worry. $550… I wonder what that is in American? Oh Dende, I'm afraid to find out. I should just try not to think about it. How long can I live on that? With my appetite… She took in a deep breath.
"What's wrong, Pan?"
She looked up at him, "I got money problems."
"How long do you plan on staying away from home?"
"I have no home. I'm going to travel the world."
"Oh… well, get some sleep, that way you can leave early tomorrow."
"I'm not sleepy."
"I got an idea," He grinned and signaled over a stewardess, "Two glasses of Bacardi, please."
"Coming up right away, sir!"
Pan was shocked, "She didn't even ask for your ID!"
"I acted like I knew what I was doing. And besides, I wouldn't be traveling alone with a girl if I wasn't 18, now would I?"
"Probably not. You think that stuff will make me sleepy?"
"Maybe. It always knocks me out."
The stewardess arrived with the drinks and Pan took a sip… surprisingly… she liked it! (I tasted this and it's SO good! If you just add a little to milk… YUM! But…uh… don't. It's bad for you.)
She gulped down her glass and sighed, "That's the first glass of alcohol I've ever had. It's good."
He looked at her strangely, "I can't gulp it like that and I'm a boy."
She shrugged, "I got a good stomach."
"You want some more?" he asked.
"No, thanks… Wow! We're almost there!"
He looked out the window of the train and saw Skylon Tower (this revolving restaurant thing by Niagara Falls). He smiled, "Tomorrow morning you're leaving Canada, right?"
"Yes," she said, "And you're going to continue to the east coast, right?"
He nodded, "I'll probably end up in England. I'll get across the Atlantic somehow."
She laughed, "Probably by conning some idiot into paying your fare, just like you did to me."
"Hey, you're getting something out of the deal too!"
"I know, I know…"
A voice came on the speaker, "Now approaching Niagara Falls."
Pan and Elilan left the train and they walked towards a very prestigious looking hotel. He used his hotel pass to check them in. When they arrived at their hotel room, Pan realized that it was like a huge apartment. She dumped her bag into the bedroom that she claimed as her own, and headed for the balcony. She checked out the view, and was glad that she had taken Elilan up on his offer. The view was great. The Falls were being lit up, and they were really beautiful. They flashed in a rainbow assortment of colours.
A section flashed from blue to pink and Pan cringed, "Isn't there enough of that colour in the world?"
"Too much of it if you ask me," said Elilan leaning on the rail beside her. She didn't look at him, but kept her eyes on Niagara Falls.
"Before I leave tomorrow, I'm taking a ride on the Maid of the Mist. Either that or the Journey Behind the Falls. I sense something down there…"
"Sense something? Well… trust your instinct I guess. There isn't much else out there you can trust."
"There isn't anything else out there I can trust."
"Of course there is, Pan," the boy seemed wise for a moment, "There's some people out there. You just haven't found them yet."
She looked at him, and almost believed him. There was a moment's silence but then her watch let out a shrill beep.
"What the heck is that?!" he said in alarm.
"Relax! It's my Dragonball Z alert. It's 8:00. Come inside and watch DBZ with me?" Pan's face lit up and Elilan couldn't refuse if he had tried… but why would he want to try anyways? They went inside to watch DBZ. Elilan wasn't as obsessed as Pan, but he couldn't deny a slight infatuation with the show.
"NOOOOO!!!!!!" The both screamed, "STOP WHIPPING GOHAN MR. SHOE!!!!"
"ONORE! BAKAYAROU! KUTABACCHIMAE!" growled Pan about to beat up on the TV, "LEAVE HIM ALONE BEFORE I…"
"Relax Pan, it's getting better!"
"WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!" they both yelled, "GO CHI-CHI! KILL MR. SHOE!!!! KILL HIM KILL HIM!!!"
They sat enraptured by the rerun.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" they both laughed like crazy.
"BRING ME A DRYING CLOTH SLAVE WOMAN!" Pan imitated in a rough manly voice, which wasn't too difficult for her.
"MY NAME IS BULMA! GET IT YOURSELF YOU JERK!" imitated Elilan in a high-pitched squeak. They both laughed and laughed.
"I AM A WARRIOR!" imitated Pan, "NOT A FLOWER! THE COLOUR PINK IS A WOMAN'S COLOUR!"
"BUT VEGETA! IT'S IN FASHION!"
The "pink shirt" episode never failed to crack anyone up, no matter how many times they've seen it.
When the show ended, Pan reluctantly turned off the TV. She sat down back beside Elilan.
"What do we have to do now?" she asked.
"Plan our journeys. We have to be careful not to get caught by the police."
Pan stood up with a look on her face, that even after knowing her for only a few hours, Elilan could tell was evil.
"What are you going to do now, and is it legal?"
"Of course it isn't legal!" she smiled, "How good are you with computers, Elilan?"
"Well…Saying that I was an expert would be a BIG understatement," he bragged.
"Well," said Pan, plotting, "We're sure to be discovered missing by now! So… let's… make our chances of not being caught by the police a little better."
"How?" he asked.
She went over to the hotel computer and her fingers flew over the keyboard, and soon enough the website on the screen belonged to the OPP.
"You AREN'T!!!" he said, realizing what she was doing, "That site is so heavily encrypted that it isn't even funny! You're hacking into the police database! Pan stop! This could get you into serious… hey….there's my profile. Missing… being searched for! FIX IT FIX IT FIX IT!!!!"
"Hold your horses!" she said smiling, "I'm not only changing your profile, but your physical description and everything. Look at that. Now they'll never find you, because they think you've gone to the prairies."
"What about you?" he asked.
"Oh…here I am! Hey, I like this, and hate to change it… Look at what it says! Intelligent and capable of anything. Brunette with a tall slim, but athletic and somewhat muscular build. Expert martial artist. Bad temper. Most likely to go to America!"
"They've figured you out!" cried Elilan.
"Have they?" asked Pan smiling, and typing, "Chunky blonde with missing teeth, silver nose ring and identifying tattoo of a flower on her shoulder. Loves the colour pink and is most likely to go to the prairie provinces. Very sensitive and stupid and not at all dangerous." Elilan was laughing by the time she had finished.
"They'll never find us now, Pan! They'll go looking for us in the prairies, and we'll both be long gone our separate ways. That was amazing. I could never hack like that!" he smiled, "But I can teach you to pickpocket your way to richness!"
She nodded, "And then we can plan our journeys."
"Well, mine is a journey," he said, "Yours is more important. Call it something different."
"I know exactly what to call it," Pan said, "My odyssey."
He smiled, "That's perfect! My journey and your odyssey."
"Shall we plan?"
"Yes. We shall plan like criminal masterminds! One of which has just hacked into the police database. Pan, you rock!"
* * *
"Pan-chan…"
"Huh? Trunks! What are you doing here! Tell me Trunks, tell me now! Are you real or not! I'm tired of you people showing up in my dreams only to mysteriously disappear and leave me feeling like I'm crazy! Tell me, damn you! Are you real or not!"
"Pan-chan…"
"Trunks! Oh Dende, I don't care if you're real of not… just please…Trunks! Don't go!" The image of Trunks began to blur and she ran at it, grasping for it, trying to put her arms around it, "Trunks… stay! Stay with me!"
His image became suddenly solid, so real… She felt his body materialize beneath her hands, and hugged him as tightly as she could so that he could not leave her the way her always did in dreams. She placed her head on his chest, looking, searching for conformation that this man of her dreams was real.
A steady heartbeat stirred her deepest hopes, and the sound of his breathing awakened her senses. She could smell him, feel him, hear him…So real, so real!
"Don't leave… Trunks…"
"Pan-chan…"
"Is that all you're gonna say! Pan-chan, Pan-chan! Trunks, talk to me! Why are you here?"
"I miss you…"
"I miss you too… but I'm confused. How can I miss you… how can you miss me, when we've never known each other?"
"I've known you forever…"
"Forever? But.."
"Shhh…" He looked into her eyes, "Please remember… go deep into your heart… try to remember… you can't forget…:
"What? I can't forget what, Trunks?"
"You can't forget how much I love you, Pan-chan…"
She stared into his eyes, mesmerized by the intensity of their colour. Then they began to dim… she gasped as his image began to fade, but not before his lips descended on hers, in a kiss that could only be kissed in dreams… but this dream was so real that she could taste him. And then he pulled away, and began to fade.
"No! Trunks…Please don't leave me here alone again!"
"Pan, you're never alone. I'm always with you. Just follow your heart. That's where I will be… to guide and protect you."
"Guide maybe, but I don't need protection, I can take care of myself… Trunks! COME BACK!! You can protect me if you want! COME BACK! Trunks!" She threw herself at the fading image, and found herself on the ground, grasping at swirls of coloured air.
He's gone… again… was he ever really here? Why is this all so confusing…
"Panny!" At the sound of the familiar voice a small smile slowly replaced the sadness painted all over her face, and a sort of brotherly love washed over that she couldn't explain.
She got up off the floor and turned around, "Goten."
He chuckled, "No hug for me?"
She ran up to him and threw her arms around him, squeezing the life out of him.
"Pan… I can't breathe…"
"Hey, you asked for a hug!" she smiled.
"I guess some thing never change, right mei?"
Mei… it brought back a few memories. Goten's special name for her, meaning niece.
"I miss you kiddo. It's been kinda dull without you to bug me."
"I miss you more, ojisan. Without you I've got no one to bug."
"Are you going to find your way back home to us, Panny?"
"I'm trying," she said biting her lip, "I just wish it wasn't all so confusing…"
"Hey," he said, punching her shoulder playfully, "Don't give up, OK? I want you to come home as soon as you can. It just ain't the same without you. Well… gotta run. The refrigerator beckons in the distance…Goodbye, little mei!"
He smiled and winked and then began to fade. Pan's eyes widened, "Goten? Goten! No! Come back…Ojisan…"
But it was too late. He was gone. Pan sighed. Images of Videl and Gohan flashed far away and they called out to her…
"Pan! Come here Pan!"
She looked at them in despair and whispered, "My parents… they must be… I remember… Otousan! Okaasan! Mommy … Daddy …"
Looking at the figures summoning her from afar, she felt tears prick the back of her eyes. She couldn't handle another loss! She couldn't handle having the people she loved fade like the sunset… so beautiful, but gone so fast. She couldn't take it, Instead of running towards her parents, she ran away. She didn't want to lose them… she ran, and ran, and ran for what seemed like forever into the blinding white nothingness of her dream.
Suddenly, she heard a giggle and looked up, "Who's there?"
"Pan-chan! Come to the mall with me!"
"Huh?" this female voice was familiar, yet she couldn't place it…
"Pan? Where are you? Aw Pan, come on! Don't be like that!"
"Who's there?" she asked, looking around, "Who are you?"
"Gosh… I just want to do a little shopping! Please Pan?"
"What the…?" this is so familiar… who is she?
"Pan…Oh, no!… HELP ME! PAN HELP!" the girl's voice echoed throughout the dream.
"What?! Where are you?!" Pan looked around desperately, but there was nothing just white light, "WHERE ARE YOU?!"
"PAN! HELP ME! HEEELLLLLPPPP MEEEEEEEEEEEE……."
*BRIIIIIIIIIINNGGGG*
Pan sat up straight in bed, pulled from one reality into another. She tried to shake the dream from her mind. Looking around, her room was luxurious and she knew that it was probably the last time she would be sleeping under a roof. She got up and stretched. She kicked in the air a few times and did some slow martial arts moves. It always got her fully awake. Pan went into the bathroom and brushed her teeth. Taking a quick shower and washing her hair for what might be the last time for a while, Pan couldn't help but think all the while of her dream. She always had dreams like that. Dreams where she actually belonged with everyone… Dreams where she had a family.
Dreams where she would lose everything again and again and again. This dream, however, was different. A girl had called to her for help. The voice had been similar to Bulma's… but that couldn't be, right? It was always so difficult to draw the line between reality and imagination… to the line between sanity and desperation... between who she really was, who she pretended to be, and who she was in her dreams. Pan sighed.
How could she be sure of anything? She didn't even know if the people who she cared about the most really existed or not. She couldn't find the answers, although she supposed they were hidden deep within her. But that girl… maybe she was really in danger! Could it be a premonition? Pan didn't know. She didn't even know who the girl was… but she decided that if she was going to help her, she knew only one thing for sure… she had to train.
Pulling on her clothes from the night before, she went into the living room. Elilan was not awake yet. She supposed that no one else in the entire eastern time zone was either. Calling room service, Pan ordered a breakfast big enough for several people. She made sure to tell them to give lots of bacon. Pan could take it on her trip with her.
Dinner last night had been huge, and Elilan had been amazed at Pan's appetite. They had planned the rest of their journeys, right down to Pan learning how to pick locks and pickpocket. Pan taught Elilan a few simple, but deadly Martial Arts moves so that he could protect himself.
When breakfast arrived, Pan took it graciously and set it out on the table. She woke Elilan by yelling threats to eat all the food, because he knew she was capable of it. Soon he was ready for breakfast. They ate together, but of course, both of them put away some bacon for later. Pan put away more though, because Elilan knew that his would last him longer. The two finished off breakfast… well.. Pan finished it off, and they made a few last minute plans.
Leaving the hotel, Elilan was bummed to be alone again… but Pan… she was ECSTATIC! Finally! She could be alone… explore the open road on her own. She didn't mind having company for a little… but she was more than glad to be flying solo once again. They said their good-byes, and wished each other luck.
"It was nice knowing you Pan. Thanks for paying my fare… I've never seen anyone who can hack sites the way you can. Or devour so much food. Thanks for the martial arts lessons. It's been fun."
"Yeah. You're not too bad yourself Elilan. Thanks for the hotel room, the food, and everything you taught me. Good luck with your journey."
"I bet you'll have a blast out there, Pan! Enjoy your odyssey. I hope you find what you're looking for."
With that they went their separate ways. Pan sighed and breathed in the fresh air, rich with the smell of freedom. She decided there was no time to lose. She could enjoy being alone and free later. Right now she had to get out of Canada. The area wasn't crowded this early in the morning, but a few stores were open. Going into one of the stores, she changed her Canadian dollars into American dollars. She was left with $366. She knew it wasn't much, but she didn't care. She left for the entry to the Journey Behind the Falls. It was closed.
She smiled. That was even better! Now she could explore on her own. Something down in the water called to her, and she couldn't wait to get down there. She saw a rainbow forming. There was always a rainbow or two in the Falls. The mists from the Falls would rise and the sun's rays would make the droplets explode into the colours of the visible spectrum.
Someone paid way too much attention in science class! She thought to herself, It's not the visible spectrum, or created by prisms and white light and Isaac Newton discovering blah-blah-blah… it's a rainbow. A beautiful rainbow. There's nothing more to it than that. Who cares about the reasons why. Humans just can't accept anything for it's true beauty… they have to know why and how and where and when and dissect things till they're ruined or extinct… well, not rainbows. Humans can wreck a lot of things, but there will always be rainbows. That's one of the things that they can't take away from me!
Pan grabbed a wire from her pocket, and picked the lock of a door embedded into the rock. She head a click and tried the knob… YES! I get in behind the falls for free, and I get in ALONE! I have HOURS till it opens officially!
Not believing in her amazing luck, Pan closed and locked the door behind her and looked around disappointed. DAMMIT! THIS PLACE REEKS OF HUMANS! COULDN'T THEY HAVE LEFT IT NATURAL! NO! OF COURSE NOT! THEY HAVE TO GO AND DIG A SQUARE TUNNEL INTO THESE BEAUTIFUL ROCKS!
Look at this! TINY windows! I can't see anything out there! I wanted to feel the power of the water! I wanted to feel the mist on my face! Instead I'm trapped in this human-made tunnel looking out of a window at the water. I suppose it's "safer" for the little humans. She walked on through the tunnel, fuming at how much the humans had wrecked the place. She could barely see anything in the darkness. She felt it pointless to go on. Sitting down in the tunnel she leaned back against the man-made smooth rock wall and closed her eyes. Why had she wanted to come down here so bad? Had her instincts failed her?
She took a breath and held it. Crossing her legs, she exhaled slowly. It was so close, this great power of water, so powerful that it's mist rose up into the clouds, so powerful that it sent a glittering foam to gently wash over the rocks. (it's really beautiful, and the foam does glitter, I swear!) So powerful… she wanted to feel the full extent of this power. She focused on the water… it's image in her mind, it's sound in her ears, and it's power alluring her, drawing her to it. It was difficult for her, because she was always more of a fire person, but this element was quickly finding it's way into her heart. It didn't burn out the fire that was already there, but instead they both grew… feeding off each other's power…
It was rushing through her veins, like a river's strong current, she could feel the pounding within her chest, the rhythmic synchronizing of her body being drawn to the water. The raw power of it, flowing through her. The feeling was incomprehensible. The water called to her, and she wanted nothing more than to feel the power of the water engulf her. Not just like this, but physically.
She opened her eyes, and the darkness stole her away from the water's grip. Gasping, she uncrossed her legs and realized that she had been meditating… so this is how Piccolo feels when he meditates! No wonder the guy's addicted…
Pan took a deep breath in. She continued down the tunnel till she reached the other waterfall. A little light came through the water, making this part of the tunnel less dark. Pan remembered how she had felt the water as part of her when she was meditating. The water had called her. But she knew that the water wasn't the reason she had been drawn to the Falls in the first place. Maybe… just maybe… the water was trying to show her something?
She studied the window. It was embedded firmly into the rock. It was several inches thick. She breathed in deeply… I am Pan… but not just Pan… I'm Gohan's daughter…Goten's mei … that is who I am in my dreams… and I believe…Yes! I BELIEVE! I am SON Pan … I am everything I want to be… I am a saiya-jin… I am power… I am strength… I am hope… and I will get what I want WITH NOTHING STANDING IN MY WAY!!
She let out a yell and punched through the glass with all her strength… to her surprise, the thick glass cracked beneath her fist and began to crumble. She gasped in joy as the water sprayed her face. She removed her knapsack and jumped up onto the window sill. It was a small space, about the size of a computer screen, but she crawled through it. Soon enough, she was standing out on natural rock, right beneath the full power of Niagara Falls. She put her backpack back on and laughed aloud at the wonderful sensation she felt. She couldn't identify it. It was beyond happiness.
She held out her hands and felt the water as it thundered over the rocks, and tilted back her head so that the water could spray her face . She knew that it had more than enough power to kill her, and the danger of being so close to the water without restraints just made her love it more! She was after all, an adrenaline junkie, and man, what a rush! She felt that calling again, as if going where it was forbidden wasn't enough, she still wanted more.
Pan began to crawl along the rocks, feeling her way with her fingers, since it was pretty dark. This side of the water looked black, but not as dark as the tunnel. Black water… It was terrifyingly beautiful. The roar of it filled her ears and as she made her way along the rock face, her fingers felt something smooth. It was embedded into the rock, or maybe wedged between them… maybe it was a rock that had been smoothed by the force of the water… it was too dark to see… She began to claw at the rock around the smooth rock till her fingers were raw and bleeding. She tugged at it but it still wouldn't budge. She pulled harder and harder until it finally gave way. It nearly threw her off balance, and she swayed for a second, the only thing that was keeping her from plummeting to her death was the four fingers holding her to the rock.
Putting the item in her mouth, she managed to bite down on it and climb back down to where the window was. Sliding through it, she took the rock out of her mouth and put it into her knapsack. Whatever it was, she would find out later. Maybe it was a gemstone, or something valuable that she could sell… the money from that should take her all over the world! Running through the tunnel, Pan saw a light and ran even faster. She found another door, with light shining through the cracks around it, and she quickly slipped through it.
Sunlight! It hit her face as she emerged onto the American side of the falls. There were no people around. It was still quite early. Pan was itching with curiosity to see what she had gotten from behind the falls. Opening her pack, her fingers closed around the precious sphere. Bringing into the sunlight, it sparkled. Pan's breath caught in her throat. She stared at it.
She cupped it in both hands and held it up in front of her. She felt something, like chains being lifted off her heart. She held in her hands the proof of her sanity, the fuel of her dreams, the source of her hope, and the truth of her soul. She bit her lip, laughing aloud at herself, but laughing fondly, and not mockingly. It was no longer laughter that said, "I hate myself, I hate my pathetic life. I'm so pathetic that I'm laughing at my disgusting self." it was laughter that said, "I'm Son Pan! I am a saiya-jin! I am strong! All my dreams will come true! My odyssey will help me find the missing pieces of my heart… and for the first time ever… I actually believe in ME!"
She continued to laugh aloud. She hugged the sphere, knowing that it was more precious than any gem she could have found. This meant more to her than any of her possessions… it gave meaning to her life. For it was, and you may not believe this, but it was a Dragonball!
It had two interlocking stars on it, and Pan was about to burst with the sheer joy of having found a Dragonball. She couldn't wait for tonight! She would tell Trunks and Goten in her dreams. She would have to apologize to her okaasan and otousan for being mean last night. She wrapped up the orange ball in her orange bandanna and placed it gently into her blue backpack.
Standing straight and tall with the pride of her discovery, Pan set out due south. She was already in Buffalo, and she knew what her next move was… walking over to the Rainbow Bridge, Pan found a sidewalk and continued down it into the heart of Buffalo. She noticed a spring in her step that hadn't been there before. Smiling, Pan walked down the early morning road, knowing that her odyssey had only just begun.
* * *
She saw it lying against a pole in an alley. It was beautiful. It was metallic purple and just her size, she picked the lock and detached it. Now it was hers… her very own mountain bike!!! She swung her leg over it and sped down the street. She felt sorry for the kid that it belonged to… but not that sorry. She kept riding for several minutes at high speed, then slowed to a leisure roll. This was truly freedom! While going down hill she stopped pedaling and threw her legs out, laughing aloud at the sensation of the wind on her face.
"Excuse me! Excuse me!" shouted a little voice. Pan pulled the brakes hard, and looked to the source. A little redhead girl about 5 or 6 years old…
"Yes, what would you like?" asked Pan.
"I think that dat's you!" she said, pointing up to a wanted poster on a pole several feet above her head. Pan's eyes widened as she saw the picture of her self and she tore the poster off the pole.
Turning to the little girl she smiled, "Thanks for the tip, kid."
"You welcomes!" said the little girl giggling and running off.
If a little girl can recognize me, the police will be on my trail in no time! Looking around, Pan noticed a salon, a clothing store and some other useful places around the area. She frowned, This sucks… Sighing she locked up the bike to a pole, but I know what I have to do.
About an hour later, Pan's hair had been cut off to about shoulder length and streaked with orange, (imagine Pink's hair in her video for Just Like A Pill, but with orange and a little longer) and she sported new jeans that were less torn up than her old ones, and a black imitation leather jacket over a red tube top. She wore a fake belly button ring to complete the masquerade. When looking at herself in the mirror, she found that she somewhat liked this new deceptive appearance of hers. It was all part of the game. With her old clothes in her backpack, she got back on her bike and started down the street again… but as she was riding, she noticed a boy with a spray can, doing some graffiti on a wall.
"Hey, that's really good!" she said, putting the breaks on her bike, and studying his image. It was a dragon… the blue eyes white dragon, with three Japanese hiragana characters beside it. She managed to decipher the characters. Lo…Ga…N!
"Logan?" she said.
The boy turned to face her, "You can read Japanese?"
"Yes… I see you're a fan of Yu-gi-oh…" she smiled, "I'm an Anime freak myself."
"What's your favourite?" he asked.
"Dragonball Z…"
He grinned, "I love DBZ. Too bad about the rerun syndrome."
"Tell me about it!" she said, "So, how long have you been doing this?"
"Oh, you mean the graffiti? For as long as I can remember… Nice look by the way. I like your hair…"
She laughed, "Me too."
He looked her over, "Are you running away?"
"How can you tell?" she asked.
"You look free. I don't see many people who have freedom in their eyes. I don't know why you did it, but I think you did the right thing."
"I think so too… my name's Pan," she held out her hand.
He shook it, "Nice to meet you. You wanna hang around for a while? I can show you Buffalo."
"That would be cool. You got a bike?"
"Right here," he grabbed his bike and mounted it, "C'mon, follow me if you can keep up!"
She grabbed her own bike and raced after him. He took a few steep paths through a park and she followed easily, and then he rode uphill, expecting her not to keep up with the tough path. She arrived behind him without breaking a sweat.
"Wow, you're good!" he admitted, "At this rate you could bike all the way to the mountains."
Pan stopped, "The Mountains? You mean… The Appalachians! That's a great idea! That's where I want to go! The mountains!"
He looked at her strangely, "Well you gotta at least check out my dojo and my gym before you leave Buffalo."
"Dojo?! Gym?! ALLRIGHT!" Pan exclaimed. Logan sped back down the hill and she followed close behind.
After about two hours at the gym, Logan was burnt out, but Pan was still just warming up.
"Come on, I'll take you to the dojo now," he said, out of breath. He pedaled just down a street and made a few turns here and there, and came to stop in front of a dojo.
Pan was bursting with excitement as Logan opened the door and walked in. She walked in behind him, peering around his shoulders to get a glimpse of the beautiful intricate interior design of the dojo. A man was practicing Kendo on a mat in the center of the room. Pan admired his sleek predatory movements, the way he pounced like a panther, but recoiled like a snake from the attacks of his invisible opponent. He suddenly stopped. Taking off his mask, he didn't even turn to look at them, but he asked:
"Logan, who have you brought to me now?"
"This is Pan, sensei," said Logan, respectfully, "She is my new friend, and she can read my Japanese graffiti! I was wondering if…"
The sensei laughed and turned to bow in greeting to Pan, "Konnichiwa, Pan. Logan is always bringing his friends here to see if they have any secret hidden powers. He has a very strong belief in the ancient Japanese arts."
"Konnichiwa sensei. Hajimemashite. Doozo yoroshiku," Pan said bowing.
"Well, you got the language down," said the sensei smiling, "Just need to work on the accent. Would you two like some tea?"
"Yes, please," said Logan, surprised at Pan's beginner knowledge of Japanese. Most kids his age weren't interested in learning about Asian dialects. They followed the sensei through elegant sliding Japanese screen paper doors (you know what I mean) and into a back room where there was a traditional setting. Pan loved it.
"We're going to have to get you a fighting gi, Pan," said the sensei, "Maybe you can borrow one of Logan's."
"Oh, please!" she said eagerly, more than happy to be back in a fighting gi and out of these ridiculous tight clothes.
"Just wondering," said the sensei, "Are you from Toronto?"
She looked at him suspiciously, "Why do you ask?"
"Because flyers were distributed throughout the martial arts community that a girl from Toronto ran away from home, and she is a great martial artist. Her name is Pan too. Isn't that a coincidence?" the sensei's eyes twinkled with mirth. Pan made a mental note to stop giving out her real name.
"What would you do if I am her?" she asked.
"I would not treat you any differently, than I would treat you if you were not her," he answered, "except I might train you harder."
"You won't turn me in?" she asked, then realizing her mistake, "I mean, you wouldn't turn me in if I was her?"
"Of course not!" he said, "You look perfectly healthy and happy to me. Your reasons for running away are your own. You are not in desperate need of education, for in your description you were called dangerous as a result of your intelligence. I see no reason for turning you in. I ran away myself when I was a kid. Don't worry, I understand."
Pan smiled, "Thank you, sensei. I guess that means you'll be training me harder."
"Hai, it sure does!"
* * *
They had been training for a while now. Pan's hair, even at it's short length had managed to fit into a pony tail so that it stayed out of her face, but it was pointless because the fighting messed it up. Not that she cared.
Her white fighting gi was comfortable and she moved freely in it. Too freely for Logan's liking, for he had already been defeated by her. He didn't mind though, for now he sat to the side, watching the fight between his sensei and Pan with great interest. It almost looked as if Pan was winning, but that wasn't possible, right? The sensei had his whole life's experience, and Pan had a few years.
Yet, she kept matching him, move for move, blocking his every attack or counterattacking it. It looked like it was child's play to her, and the sensei was obviously impressed. At the end of the match, Pan had won, no one was too seriously hurt, and they had all had a great time. The sensei had never seen any one with so much skill at that age. (or at all, probably)
"Who was your teacher in Toronto?" he asked, "I must meet him."
"Actually, I had a few teachers. I took Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, and a lot of other styles… but I mostly just trained on my own in my spare time," she admitted.
"No one can get that good from just training on their own!"
"I entered some competitions and gained experience there… I usually came out on top."
"That isn't surprising. You're a natural. Is there anything I can do for you before you leave the city?"
"No, I'm just going to go out for lunch and then bike my way over to the mountains," she smiled and bowed, "Domo Arigatou, sensei. I had a lot of fun. You are a very skilled opponent, and better than the teachers in Toronto."
"Thank you… wait a sec, did you say BIKE over to the mountains?" she nodded, and he frowned, "The mountains are pretty far away… it would take days."
"I know," she said, "But it's a good workout. Besides, I'm not old enough to drive and haven't got enough money for a plane ticket."
The sensei turned to Logan, "Logan, you've finally found someone with secret hidden powers. What do you say we buy her lunch and drive her down to the mountains? It should only take a few hours."
Logan smiled, "I think we should, sensei!"
"No! Really, you shouldn't. I eat like a sumo wrestler, and I'm not joking!" Pan held up her hands.
"I've never seen a sumo wrestler eat before! I bet it's cool to watch! You can keep the gi, too," said Logan, "Up in the mountains no one cares what you're wearing. Besides, I know you are more comfortable in it than you are in the punk get up."
She smiled, "Thank you, Logan. I hope I meet more people like you on my odyssey."
* * *
Several hours later, Pan was standing in a midst of trees near a cliff. She had said her good-byes to Logan and his Sensei. She had left the bike in Buffalo, deciding that she wouldn't need it in the mountains. The mountain range was beautiful and Pan couldn't wait to go exploring. She was tired of cities, and farms looked too depressing, but the wilderness was alive and exciting, and hers to explore.
Her backpack contained the Dragonball she had found earlier. She had been sorely tempted to show it to Logan, but she knew that she shouldn't. Pan walked as deep into the woods as she could, noting the wild berries and the game that she would have to live on for a while. She had read countless books about surviving in the wilderness and knew that she could do it without difficulty. All she needed now, was to find a fresh water stream and a good place to make her temporary shelter. This was like heaven to her.
There was a moment when she realized that she was finally completely alone. Just her and hundreds of miles of forest and mountain. She sighed and took off her backpack. Flopping back onto the grass, she gazed into the endless depths of the sapphire sky. The colour of Trunks' eyes, she thought fondly. It was such a pure shade of blue, uninterrupted by even harmless wispy cirrus clouds. She smiled, knowing that this would ensure good weather till she could find shelter. The grass smelled sweet and nature's silence filled her ears. She closed her eyes and let her freedom wash over her like the gentle breeze swaying the grass. She breathed in deeply of the mountain air, noticing how fresh it was compared to the stuffy, polluted, sickening urban atmospheres.
Pan wondered if there were any animals… deer or something, peering out from behind the trees at her, wondering what this strange human was doing in their territory. Pan smiled at her silly thought and wished, that if there were any animals, she could tell them that she was one of them, an outcast to humans, someone they try to "protect" when all she really wanted was to run free like an animal… and then they would try to hunt her down and put her back in her zoo… or cook her for lunch. At least the animals would give her some space.
Something far away interrupted her thoughts… a whimsical, yet serious voice…
Pan-chan…
"Trunks?!" Her eyes shot open and she stood up. Looking around she saw nothing, "I heard your voice Trunks. Don't play games with me! Show yourself."
She adjusted her backpack from her arm to her back in one smooth move and slid her other arm through the strap, ready to chase the voice if necessary.
Pan looked around, and sighed. Nothing… but she was almost sure that…
Closing her eyes, Pan exhaled in a feeble attempt at meditation…
HELP ME! PAN! HELP ME!
That girl's voice again! Opening her eyes, Pan looked in a certain direction... her instincts told her that something was wrong... but she didn't hear any screams. No signs of combat. No shaking trees. She didn't sense any really high power levels … Well, she didn't even know if she knew how to do that… but the point was that she had no clue what she was supposed to do. Act on impulse because of a girl's voice screaming out for help inside of her head? Yeah… that was probably it.
She made her way up the side of a nearby mountain, it was steep, but covered in forest so it was a simple climb. In fact, it was child's play, but Pan kept herself busy by entertaining thoughts of a mountain demon holding the girl captive. She wondered how she could defeat a mountain demon? Well, maybe it was a giant ape. Or maybe attacking aliens! Or evil androids!
Pan walked on, wondering if she was crazy. The girl probably didn't even exist. Just a figment of her imagination, right? Following a voice in her head! Of all the insanity! Her thoughts were interrupted by a blood-curling scream. THAT'S HER! SHE'S NEARBY! Pan broke off into a run and found herself at the edge of a cliff where a girl with aquamarine coloured hair was dangling from the edge.
"HELPPPPPP!!!!!!!! HELP MEEEE!!!!!!"
It's the voice from my dream! The girl's fingers were slipping and she let out another scream before she lost her grip on the rock face. Pan's reflexes kicked in and she dived off the cliff, managing to grab onto the girl's arm, right before she tumbled to her death, while grabbing onto a tree root with the other arm. Good Dende, please don't let it break, please don't let it break!
Taking a deep breath, Pan looked down at the girl. She had banged her head on one of the protruding rocks on the side of the cliff, and now she was unconscious. Pan looked up. How can I climb back up without dropping her? I have to save her! I have to! But how? OH NO, DAMMIT, I'M SLIPPING! THIS WAS SO MUCH EASIER AT NIAGARA FALLS! I JUST PUT THE DRAGONBALL IN MY MOUTH… MY MOUTH! THAT'S IT!
She bit down on another root and quickly grabbed onto a stronger tree root with her supporting hand. Satisfied that it could hold both their weight, Pan managed to pull herself up with that one arm and pull the girl up with the other. She put her foot onto a rock and managed to crawl back up onto the cliff, while pulling the unconscious girl up to safety. She laid her out on the cliff and checked her head where she had hit it. It wasn't bleeding, but there was a little bump.
"Well, I saved you, whoever you are! It wasn't quite a demon or an android, or any thing I expected, but nonetheless, I saved you!" she smiled with pride and turned her attention back to the girl's injuries. She had a slight concussion. Pan would have to take care of her so that she didn't slip into a coma.
* * *
When Bra woke up, the first thing she saw was the twilight sky, and the few stars that were already visible. She attempted to move and cried out at the sharp pain in her head. She suddenly remembered falling off the side of a mountain. I'M ALIVE! My journey isn't over after all! I'll still get to see Goten! Someone must have saved me… Oh, I can't believe this! I had thought it was all over, but now here I am… my Dragonball… Where's my Dragonball?! Trying to move again, she bit her lip at the pain. Bra moved her hand up to touch her head and found that it was bandaged up with some sort of cloth. She realized that she was propped up on something and that she was covered by a blanket.
"So you're awake," said a girl's voice. Bra looked up and saw someone in a white fighting gi sitting by a fire.
"Who are you?" she asked, painfully forming the words.
"Here, drink this," and ignoring the question, the girl held out a small cup filled with an unknown liquid. Bra didn't know what it was, but she drank it as the girl held it to her lips. It wasn't bad tasting, but it was strong... tea or something. Bra felt a gnawing in the pit of her stomach.
"I'm hungry," she said with a gasp.
"Hungry?" the girl groaned, "Just great. Me too… Here, I've got some bacon."
Feeding her the last bit of bacon, the girl frowned, "Listen, I'm gonna go get some food okay?"
"Okay, I think I'll just go to sleep…"
"Oh, no you don't! You're going to stay WIDE awake, so that so don't slip into a coma, okay?" the girl growled, "And if you DARE fall asleep… Well, just DON'T okay?! Here, I got an idea."
She rummaged around in her backpack, and pulled out her disk-man. She placed the headphones on Bra's head, and put in her Linkin Park CD, "There, that should keep you awake." She pressed play and turned to leave.
"Wait!" said Bra, "Who are you?!"
She didn't answer, but disappeared into the forest. Bra sighed. At least the music was good.
* * *
Pan walked through the forest looking for game. She was armed with a branch that she figured would make a good spear. As she made her way through the dark woods, she couldn't help but think of the memories that seeing the girl's face had awakened in her… memories that made them seem like close friends… but how could that be? She had just met her!
The girl not only sounded like Bulma, realized Pan. She looked a lot like her. Right down to the unusual colour of her hair. Things like that just can't be coincidence. If Pan didn't know better, she would say that the girl could be Bulma's daughter or something. Well it was possible… unlikely but possible…
*Flashback*
"Pan, stop!" cried the blue-haired girl, rushing up to her, "they said that you can't fight! It's too dangerous! Pan, please! They threatened to send us away if any of us ever tried to fight again! Don't go!"
Pan bit her lip, "I have to Bra, I'm sorry. Everyone's out there, right now fighting. Trunks and Goten are out there fighting. They're risking their lives, and I can't take it anymore! I don't know if I can make a difference, but I've got to try!"
"Please! I don't want to be sent away! Pan…"
"I have to go. Nothing will change my mind."
"I…I understand. Well, then Pan-chan… I just wish I could go with you…" she sighed, and hugged her best friend tightly, "Good luck. Do me a favour and protect Goten?"
Pan smiled, "Don't worry. I won't let anyone mess with him."
*End Flashback*
The memory was confusing. Really confusing. Was it even a memory? If it was, then it would mean that the girl's name was Bra. Weird name, thought Pan, then it hit her… underwear! Briefs! Bulma! Trunks! It makes total sense! Bra would fit into the family perfectly… wouldn't she?
Pan wondered if it was just her crazy imagination. She heard a nearby rustling in the bushes, and for once she knew that it wasn't her imagination. She turned and threw her spear with speed and precision. It made a sickening sound and Pan walked over to see a deer lying dead.
She dropped to her knees and looked at the poor animal, "I'm sorry… but this was the only way… I'm sure you'd want to eat me too if you were a hungry saiya-jin."
* * *
Pan cooked the meat over the fire. She had rubbed some berry juices on it for taste. Bra watched her carefully. When the meat was done, Pan helped Bra to sit up and eat it.
"Can you tell me who you are?"
"I'm Pan."
"Pan? That name is so familiar…Thanks for saving me, Pan. I'm Bra."
"I know who you are."
"How do you know?"
"I don't know how I know, I just know that I know!," Pan said, confusing both Bra and herself.
"Huh?" Bra asked, then it hit her, "Pan? You… you wouldn't happen to be Pan SON by any chance, would you?"
"I guess so."
"You guess so!? What so you mean 'you guess so'?!"
"I mean I GUESS SO!" clarified Pan, "So I suppose that means you're Bra Briefs?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
There was a short silence, then Pan couldn't help but ask, "Do you fall off cliffs often?"
"No… I slipped! It could happen to anyone."
"Sure it could. I bet there are lots of people who do it all the time."
"Hey! Gimme a break, will ya! I wasn't paying attention…"
"Sure you weren't."
"It could happen to you too, ya know! So don't get so cocky."
"Well, of course it could happen to me. But I would pull myself back up."
"What if you couldn't?!"
"I've done it before… single-handedly."
"I'll bet you have!"
"I have… I couldn't exactly use both hands. You were in the other."
"What? Oh…" Bra chewed on the deer meat, "Uh, this tastes REALLY REALLY bad! It's practically raw! I'm hungry and this is what you give me!"
"Gee, I'm sorry PRINCESS!" Pan looked at the girl with disgust, "I'm hungry too you know! I bet you couldn't actually kill an animal if your life depended on it!"
"I COULD TOO!"
"Sure."
"And I could cook it A LOT better!"
"Sure. I bet you couldn't even start a fire."
"I COULD TOO!"
"Of course, princess."
"AHHH! DAMN YOU!"
"My sentiments exactly."
Pan stopped talking. She had just wanted to be alone and free, and now she had this annoying girl to deal with. Even if she was related to Trunks, she was a real pain in the tail. Pan had liked her better when she was unconscious. Pan tasted the deer meat, and even though it wasn't the best meal she'd ever had, she knew that it was better than nothing. She couldn't even believe that her, Pan Son, a purebred 100% city girl was actually surviving in the wilderness. And doing a hell of a good job too, she added.
Bra sighed and finished up her food, "Can I go to sleep now?"
"I suppose so…" said Pan, "But I think I have to check on you every 4 hours or something."
"Just great," said Bra sarcastically. She turned over so that her back was facing Pan and she went to sleep. Pan sighed and lay on the grass near to the fire, so that she would keep warm. She threw some more wood on it so that it wouldn't burn out.
"Hey!" said Bra, annoyed, "I can't sleep with that fire burning!"
Pan growled low in her throat, "Fine, Princess."
She got up and stomped out the fire, "Happy?!"
"Yes. Thank you," Bra turned over and went back to sleep.
Pan sighed for what much be the millionth time and collapsed on the grass. There was one good think about being up here in the mountains. The stars were more visible than she'd ever seen them be before, and she traced her favourite constellations. She shivered, and pulled her gi around her closer. Too bad that princess Bra over there had the blanket. Pan looked up at the stars, moving her finger along the imaginary lines. She remembered all the stories behind the constellations.
Bra turned over again, "Can you stop that? It's annoying."
Pan growled, "Listen, PRINCESS, I don't care how big that bump on your head is, you're not going to stop me from looking at the stars, understand?"
Bra looked up at the sky, and back at Pan, "Fine. But… if you're going to do that, could you at least tell me what they are?"
Pan looked at her, and quirked her eyebrows, "Fine then. You see those stars over there? The ones that make a sort of big W shape?"
"Yeah. What about them?"
"They're supposed to represent a lady named Cassiopeia. Beside it are her husband and daughter in other constellations."
"I don't get it. How do you find a lady in a group of stars that form a W?"
"I don't know. It's mythology… those ancient Greeks and Romans saw it. She's supposed to be sitting on a throne fussing with her hair."
"That's so weird… but… in a way…it's interesting! Tell me more!"
"Okay… um, see over there? The dipper?" Pan traced it with her finger. It was practically the easiest one in the sky, "It's part of this Ursa Major thing… The big bear. It's also known as the drinking gourd. The one that the slaves from the South followed North to freedom in Canada. The two stars at the end of it always point to the North Star. Polaris."
"Is that the North Star, then?" asked Bra, pointing.
"Yep, that's it," Pan smiled, "The whole sky revolves around that one star. Well, that's what it looks like. It's actually the earth turning. Polaris is at the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper… do you see it?"
"Yeah! Hey, cool!" Bra pointed at a bright star, "What's that one called?"
"Vega."
"Neat! And that one over there?"
"Cor Caroli… supposed to mean Richard's Heart or something."
"What about that one?"
"It's Betelgeuse. It's an old star. It's gonna die soon…"
"When?!"
"How am I supposed to know? A couple thousand years or something. Maybe even a few million."
"You call that soon?!"
"In space years, yes it is. Our sun isn't that old. It's definitely got a few million years left."
"Wow. Space is so weird."
"I agree. But… its so beautiful too, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"I almost feel like I belong there…"
"That's crazy. I've never heard anything so stupid! You're totally insane. And you know what's the worst part, Pan?"
"What?"
"I feel the exact same way."
Pan smiled. She grabbed some of the blanket away from Bra and pulled it around her, Getting comfy in the little grass bed. She looked up one last time at the beautiful night sky before she closed her eyes.
Bra yawned, and gently touched the bump on her head, from which the throbbing had begun to cease. If she had known Pan a little longer then she might've guessed that the bandage around her head was actually a certain trademark orange bandanna.
"Oyasumi nasai, Princess Bra Briefs. You had better not be so damned snotty in the morning."
"Goodnight to you too, Miss Pan Son. You had better not be so freakin' cocky in the morning."
This chapter is finally over! How'd ya like it? I really put a lot of effort into it, so you better review and make it all worthwhile. It's your turn Bra! Goodbye everyone, and also good luck in guessing who we are. ^_~