A/n: hullo! not that anyone would remember coz it's been months... but I'm back^^

When Legends Meet

Chapter 4: Pride and Doubt

"He's hiding something," Trunks began as soon as Tomo stepped into the small room.

A small frown creased Tomo's features, but gone in an instant that Trunks wasn't sure if it was out of concern or just plain confusion.

"I don't quite understand, your highness."

Trunks looked down at the picture he had carefully lain in the small table. The resemblance was uncanny... TOO uncanny to be just mere coincidence.

"That boy, as least as he claims to be, I suspect he's hiding something. In fact, I'm almost sure of it."

There was a small pause as if Tomo was evaluating the thought. He finally cleared his throat and began hesitantly.

"Does his lordship have an idea as to what the prisoner's secret might be?"

Trunks shot the other man a quick glance. Tomo's countenance has suddenly turned distant... almost defensive...

He shrugged it off as mere misjudgment on his part. Tomo certainly didn't have a reason to feel uncomfortable about the subject of their discussion.

"Yes, I believe the boy who claimed to be a 'he' is actually a 'she'."

Another silence. Trunks could have sworn Tomo shifted on his foot, a very unusual gesture for his usually collected commander at arms.

"I see. But I do believe that is highly unlikely, my lord."

Trunks frowned. "And why not?"

"In our planet, it may be acceptable for a woman to act as arrogant, proud, and fierce as a man, but our knowledge of Chikyuu so far has given us the conclusion that women generally do not act thusly."

Trunks paused for a moment. Tomo was right...

So far, he'd only encountered two types of females from his mother's birth planet – the loud and whiny type with his mother and sister as the prime examples, and the shy, demurely feminine type like the blond girl who was with the boy.

But... he WANTED to be right. He ran his hand over the girl's picture again, a thousand 'what ifs' running through his mind. Is that girl actually dead? No... she looked so alive... with eyes that looked like diamonds dipped in tar, hair darker the darkest pitch. The faded black and white photo certainly didn't do her credit. She wasn't 'beautiful' in the 'fair' way that makes you think of angels... but exotic -- a forbidden maiden shrouded in mystery. Yes, he wanted to meet this girl... so bad.

"But if his lordship desires, I will check into the matter my self, your highness."

Trunks started at Tomo's voice. He had almost forgotten of the other man's presence. He racked his brain for what Tomo had just said. He didn't want Tomo to repeat himself, not so much because he feared appearing rude in front of someone who obviously has lower status than him, but he didn't want to admit he had been caught 'zoning' off. He gave Tomo a quick nod. Tomo bowed politely before soundlessly exiting the room.

Trunks ran his gaze over the crumpled paper once again...

"Will you let me see you, my little imp?" he whispered, then smiled when he realized how silly he had been acting lately... and all because of a simple picture... and a stubborn young 'boy'.

~~~~

"Pan! Are you alright? Did they do something to you? Pan! I'm so glad you're back! I was really worried!" Marron's quivering voice filled the small cabin they shared as soon as Pan returned.

Pan slumped on the small bed and groaned when her head hit the metallic frame... that's right, she wasn't in her bedroom anymore, but in a ship... heading to who-knows-where.

"Pan?" Marron peered over her younger friend with a worried expression.

"I'm ok, Marron. The jerk just asked me a few questions... but..." she trailed off. She didn't want Marron to get worried, yet there was no use hiding it.

"B-but?" Marron prodded nervously.

Pan averted her gaze to stare at the low ceiling, a small ironic smile slowly appeared on her lips. This sure was a surprising turn of events. Just as she had been lamenting on how annoying 'rich and popular' life can be... and here she was, a captured and waiting for her fate to be decided... and she wasn't even the main target! Just an extra commodity if you may.

"I think that guy might be suspecting something. In fact, I think he'll be coming here anytime soon," she continued.

Marron gasped. "But Pan! What are we gonna do?!"

Pan cast her friend a reassuring glance.

"Don't worry Marron. They're not going to do anything to you. From what I gathered, you are important to them."

"Yeah, but what about you?!" Marron protested frantically, wiping off some tears that started to gather in her eyes again. Pan sighed, Marron had always been quick to tears.

"As for me? I don't know... they'll probably make me a slave or something," she shrugged noncommittally.

Marron almost wailed.

"Pan! How can you be so calm about this?"

Pan absently brought a hand to fix her cap in place and smooth the creases on the leather jacket she was still wearing.

"I'm not being calm Marron, just being rational. But damn if I'm going to let them do anything to me without fighting back. I'd rather die first."

This time, Marron did wail.

"But you can't fight back! You said they're stronger. They'll kill you! Pan, please, don't fight back!"

Pan gave her friend a bemused look before bursting in amused laughter.

"Really Marron, you don't want me to become a slave, but you don't want me to fight back either! But I don't think any negotiations would do us any good at this point."

Marron bowed her head apologetically. "I'm sorry, Pan. I've never been strong like you. I'm scared. I don't know what to do anymore."

Pan shook her head. "No, I wasn't angry. But I was serious. If they do find out I'm a girl, I shudder just imagining how I'd end up when we reach our destination. But I have to fight back. I don't know what it is, but I think I can understand how these people feel. My pride just wouldn't let me surrender without fighting back. I know my grandpa would do the same."

Marron gave her friend another pleading look, but sighed in defeat. Convincing Pan when she's made up her mind was as good as asking a rock to move over.

"Your pride has always gotten you into trouble, you know."

Pan raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, remember in third grade? A boy ended up in the hospital for weeks after you punched him because he forgot to say 'please' when he asked you to lend him a pencil."

Pan laughed, remembering the incident. "Yeah! And daddy was so mad he made me visit the boy in the hospital for a week, longest week of my life."

Those were the good times... funny how their lives could change so drastically in a blink of an eye.

Suddenly, the door slid open. Pan was instantly on her feet... ready to pounce on their unwelcome guest just in case it turned out to be an certain arrogant purple-head...

But it was the other man that came in.

Pan stiffened when the man called Tomo passed her a speculative glance, his gaze unpleasantly lingering as if assessing what she would look under her thick clothes...

The awkward silence was becoming uncomfortable until Pan couldn't take it anymore. Was the man deliberately intimidating her?

"Yes, may I help you?" she drawled irritably.

The man didn't answer, but instead, took a few steps forward for closer scrutiny. Pan's hands itched to punch the man in the face, but before she could do so, the man pulled something from his belt.

Marron shrieked.

It was a dagger.

Pan stood frozen in surprise. Was he planning to kill her then? With a dagger no less? A bigger weapon would be more reasonable... so torture for entertainment then? Pan clenched her fists, yeah right. It's not like she'd let these barbarians lay even one finger on her.

Just as Pan was about to take a fighting stance, the man flipped the blade as if offering her the dagger...

Pan was too surprised to utter a word.

"Take it."

Pan absently took the blade. "W-why?" she choked.

Tomo's expression remained impassive, there was no sign that he was either mocking her or feeling sorry for her plight.

"You know what to do," Tomo stated before he spun on his heels and went out quietly.

"I don't understand..." Pan began as soon as Tomo left.

"M-Maybe he thinks we should kill ourselves..." Marron volunteered lamely.

Pan snorted. Does the man think so lowly of her then? Of course not. And who would be stupid enough to kill one's self anyway? Definitely not her... so why?

"M-Maybe he's a traitor and he wants you to kill the Prince."

Pan shook her head. "I don't think so. First, I've seen the Prince's strength, I don't think he can be killed with just a mere dagger and..."

"And?" Marron prodded.

"And even if the guys a traitor, I don't think I can to kill the Prince that way."

"Why not?"

Pan gave her friend a curious glance.

"Is it possible that you've somehow gotten a violent streak in you all of a sudden?" she asked in an amused tone.

Marron blushed, bringing a hand over her mouth.

"No! No! I didn't mean it that way... I was just... curious..."

Pan smiled weakly. "I know, I was just kidding. And about the Prince, I want to fight him fair and square. Besides, I still owe him a good punch in the gut — someone's coming!"

Pan sprung to her feet when she recognized the sounds – footsteps and voices that seemed louder than usual. She gingerly crossed the small compartment and pressed her ears against the metallic door. She recognized Tomo's voice... and another one, a voice that she thought she hated yet she felt a strange familiarity at the deep sound.

"I've already settled the matter milord, there's no need for you to trouble yourself."

Pan strained closer to catch the reply. It seemed as if Tomo was explaining something to the prince.

"What do you mean 'settled the matter'?"

"I've confirmed the identity of the boy. HE is a boy, without question."

Trunks frowned.

"And just how did you 'confirm' that?"

"I had him take off his cap Sir, and his jacket..."

Pan jerked away from the doorway in an instant. She had heard enough to gather that they were talking about her... and Tomo was obviously lying! But why? She cast a glance at the dagger she still held in her hand... what was Tomo trying to do? Is he trying to help her? If that was the case... then she didn't have any time to waste!

She pulled off her cap and started sifting through the thick dark tresses. Marron gasped when Pan started mercilessly cutting her hair, the ebony strands falling into the floor leaving what seemed like a pool of tar.

"W-what are you doing!" Marron uttered in shock.

Pan continued her harshly slashing through the black mass. "Get me a blanket!" she hissed at the still-shocked Marron.

"B-but your hair!"

"Get me a blanket!" Pan repeated. She didn't have time to ponder whether Tomo was trying to help her or not, but judging from what she could hear from the conversation, it was obvious that Tomo was trying to buy some time for her.

Marron rummaged through the small closet and pulled a small blanket. Pan quickly shoved the dark fallen locks under the bed and proceeded to shred the blanket so that she could bind her chest...

No, she couldn't afford to get caught now... not when she didn't know what fate awaited her... and there were too many questions unanswered. She had always hated uncertainty.

~~~~~

"I will see for my self," Trunks repeated with a final note, casting his most trusted officer with a darkened look.

Tomo took the hint and bowed apologetically before stepping aside.

"Yes, of course, as you wish your highness."

He marched past his the other man with a haughty grace befitting for a Prince. Somehow, he felt mad... mad at something he couldn't point a finger at. And why was he standing in front of the cabin where the prisoners have been kept? Tomo never lied to him, and his loyalty had been tested several times in the past. So what reason could he have for being so eager to march down there like a lovesick puppy? Was it the blond girl? Trunks mentally shook his head. He hardly even remembered what that girl looked like... so was it the younger boy then? Then a horrifying thought struck him – no... he couldn't be... CAN'T be... interested in young boys... can he? The thought was enough to make him mutter a thousand obscenities... there was just something about the boy that drew him... but... no...

He gripped the knob so hard that it actually snapped.

"Y-Your highness?" Tomo inquired hesitantly.

Trunks spun around sharply. Tomo almost took a step back. He had never seen the Prince with such a terrifying expression before.

"I will check on the prisoners," Trunks hissed between gritted teeth.

This time, Tomo did take a step back.

"Yes, of course, your Highness."

Trunks slowly turned to the door again, the knob dangling from where it used to be. His eyes narrowed in full fury. NO ONE, not even his highhanded father had EVER disturbed him this bad... bad enough to even make him doubt his own self-identity. All his amusement for the young boy from earlier now vanished, replaced with an anger that he could hardly suppress. He IS a Saiyan... half-blooded maybe, but his pride rivaled that of his own father. And to think that the thought of doubting his own sexuality even crossed his mind was the greatest insult he had ever felt for himself... and it was all because of that boy.

Feeling a new burst of fury, he punched the metallic door so hard that it bounced straight to the other wall across the small compartment. That boy better start praying...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a/n: I know I know... months of no update and all I can come up with is this lame chapter *hits self in the head* bad missy bad bad bad. And worse... I don't even have an excuse for not updating ^^'' I just wandered off again and found an anime couple that I'm totally crazy about (but I'll forever be a T/P fan!!!!!!!!!!)

heheh, my self shame and guilt are too great to ask you to review... so just do what you want, flame or not, okies with me^^

~~missy-chan