~
Chapter Two: Reconciliation
Author: EC-Chan
Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
AN: I'm so happy I found this!!!!!!!! *rubs back of head* ; So not only
does my computer eat the first version of this chappy, I keep on writing
REALLY crappy ones, but when I DO write a good one I save it on a disk and
lose it;;;; *nods* Yup.. I think I've reached a new level of patheticness.
Gomen people for taking so long;
~
"BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP. Blep. Blep. Blep," Gohan rolled over wearily and knocked the appliance onto the floor. A moment later he sat up straight in his bed, the events from the day before knocking him out of his sleepy stupor.
"Pan."
Her name rolled off his tongue just as it had always meant to. How he always wanted it to. She was alive. His daughter was alive. That knowledge was enough to let him die in peace. But the second thought that came after that stripped away his happiness- he had pushed her away. Because of all the foolishness he had chosen to do.that day.
"Gohan?" His head snapped in the direction of the voice when he realized that it wasn't his mothers, but someone else's. But then he forced himself to relax, wanting to hit himself on the head for being an idiot the second time that morning. It was Bulma. This was her house.
He rolled his eyes at himself, feeling a bit more then pathetic. How could he have forgotten the events of last night? How Bulma had suggested that he and his unconscious mother stay here for the night? How he had asked for a drink and she had teased him about being so young.? How.they had both gotten drunk and had done.what? He couldn't remember.
The events from the night before were a haze to him. The beginning was because of emotional reactions.but the second half was alcohol induced. He was such a pathetic sniveling poor excuse for a man. Why had his mother even thought that he could overcome half of his Saiyan genetics?
"Oh for the love of Kami Gohan!" Bulma said threateningly. "Get out of bed and stop feeling sorry for yourself! What happened last night was the product of yesterday- don't worry about it. It was as much of my fault as yours."
"."
"Oh. Thinking about Pan then?" Bulma asked, grinning cheerfully at him. He glared back at her and she giggled, "Don't think that you intimidate me Son Gohan. After all, I've lived with Vegeta and bore his son. No one can be worse then him!"
A grunt.
"Now you're trying to imitate him," Bulma frowned, and then grinned, throaty laughter escaping from her mouth. After a moment she quieted. "Don't worry about Pan. She'll come around."
"How do you know?" Gohan frowned, even to himself sounding like an overgrown child. Of course that was all that he probably was..considering well, everything. He groaned, for the first time wishing that it was possible for a demi-Saiyan to have a hangover.
He frowned when he felt Bulma sit beside him, when he said nothing she rested her head on his shoulder. Preoccupied by the sudden closeness, he almost missed her softly whispered answer, "Because she has to."
~
Pan shivered, refusing to power up and consequently allowing those..those people to be able to find her. They were horrible! Awful! She frowned, clutching herself in an attempt to get warmer, continuing to stumble through the forest. Her teeth chattered, and she cursed herself for letting that man kill 17 and 18. They would have died for her. And she repaid them with a moment of cowardice, running away!
She had been walking since the night before, after blasting away from the place, and hoped to get to her home by the end of the day. But she hadn't counted on the warm weather turning cold. Or at least not THIS cold. And what made it worse was that she couldn't power up. At all.
At first she had made good time, concentrating on moving as quickly as possible, any way possible, but her pace grew slower each step until now she was walking half blindly, only her outrage and confused emotions giving her power to take one more step forward. She would die soon. On some level of her mind she knew that. With a lowered power level she was as susceptible to the cool air as any human and eventually the last droplet of her strength would give out and she would be forced to lie on the cold hard ground and welcome death.
She knew this. Oh she knew this. That was the point. If she died before she got home then it was fine- she would be with 17 and 18 again and then everything would be perfectly fine. Except that she was dead of course. If she somehow made it back then she would live on. She would get revenge- after all, that was really all she had left to live for at the moment. Revenge.
She saw Trunks' concerned face, his eyes pleading with her to give her father a chance. She saw those eyes fill with longing when he spoke of wishing to be Gohan's son. She saw Bulma standing up and sacrificing her seat- and then her mumbling something that she hadn't quite caught, her face in a comically dry expression. And finally she saw him. Her father. First his surprise and then happiness of finding her existence, then his concern, and then, finally, his understanding. And understanding she didn't think he could possibly have.
She frowned at the memories. Frowned at the fact that she was loosing the feeling in her toes, that her legs were beginning to go numb with the cold. Frowned at the fact that even as she fell down she saw Trunks' concerned face looked at her, pleading with her to give this all a chance. And then, as darkness consumed her, she saw her grandmother's angry face, her stance that forced her to take a second look. The determination to be angry she wished she could have.
~
She woke up in a bed, white sheets and several heavy blankets weighing her down. Groaning, she attempted to push them off, but was unable to. She opened her eyes, panicking, and immediately was met with light blue.
"You're awake," Trunks breathed, his face slowly beaming with a smile. He turned, "Mom! She's awake!"
"Ah! Finally," Bulma appeared behind Trunks, pushing him out of the way and feeling Pan's forehead. "How do you feel dear?"
"What's going on?" Pan asked, her face blank. How had she gotten back here? Had someone been following her? Trunks maybe?
"I found you," Trunks said. "You were unconscious so I brought you back here- you've been out for almost a week!"
"A week," Pan blinked. It had been that long?
"You're lucky you chose to pass out in the middle of Trunks' 'thinking place,'" Bulma said, her voice neutral. "You were nearly dead when he found you. Why didn't you power up?"
"I wanted to get away," Pan said, turning her head so that she couldn't see them. "I couldn't unless my ki was lowered."
"You nearly died," Bulma frowned. "You knew you were, yet you didn't bother to save yourself?"
Pan was silent, the answer was self-evident, or at least the answer she knew this woman would or had already concluded was. Her real reason for staying silent though, was that she refused to explain herself to them, she had no reason to.
"Mom- can I talk to her for a moment while you get Gohan?" Trunks asked. After a short pause, Bulma turned and left, leaving the duo alone. "You know I was following you?"
"Not at the time," Pan said, her head still facing the wall. After a moment she turned towards him, "Why?"
"Why?" Trunks blinked at her question.
"Why did you follow me?"
"Because..I wanted to make sure you would be alright," Trunks shrugged, blushing slightly. She was silent, waiting for him to continue. "I feel..sort of like we have a link, you know?"
She shook her head- how could she have a "link" with someone who hated 17? How could she understand him?
His blush deepened with her bewilderment, "I mean- I never knew my father and my mom, no disrespect to her, isn't that great of a..mother. I know what it's like to yearn to know about my father..I know what it's like to wonder about my origin. If my mother was killed..then I know I'd feel the same as you probably do right now."
"And what do I feel right now?"
"Lost..confused," Trunks said softly, reflectively. "Hell- I would have done the same thing- take a long walk, filled with rage, and then watch everything slowly fade to blackness. Except that I would have fainted a lot sooner then you. But the difference between me and you is that Gohan would find me- I would KNOW he would find me and make everything better. Or at least as "better" as things could get."
"You thought through all that?" Pan asked blankly.
Trunks rubbed the back of his head, "I had a lot of time on my hands while I was tracking you!"
Pan allowed herself to smile, but said nothing. Trunks paused, blushing even more furiously, making Pan's smile all the more bigger. Gohan cleared his throat and both heads shot up towards the newcomer, even Pan blushed slightly this time as if she were caught in some heinous act.
"Sorry to interrupt you two, but I'd like to have a word with Pan," Trunks nodded, and hurried out of the room, leaving Pan to face her newfound father by herself. He sank into the chair Trunks' had just vacated, and for the first time Pan realized how close the boy had been. It had seemed a comfortable distance before, but now that there was someone else sitting in front of her, especially a man she did not trust completely- or even partially, it was far too close. He smiled hesitantly, "You two seem to be getting along."
Pan said nothing and Gohan sighed.
"There's nothing I can do to make up for everything that has happened to you..everything that I have unthinkingly or unknowingly inflicted," Gohan said, looking into his lap. "I won't ask you to forgive me. I don't expect you to. Ever. I can only hope that you'll agree to stay here and allow me to attempt to be somewhat of a father."
Pan trembled, suddenly incredibly cold again. It was like she was back in the forest, shivering and refusing to power up. She remembered what she had seen and felt before she had passed out and looked away from this man who called himself her father. With a resigned sigh she agreed, "I'll try."
They were silent for a moment, and then to her surprise he began to speak, "I suppose what we can call our history began with my father, your grandfather, Gokou."
~
Seven Years Later
~
"Pan!" Trunks screamed, racing through the corridors of Capsule Corps. 'Where is that little brat? Arg! When I find her.!' Cursing blindly in rage, he burst through the kitchen doors nearly barreling into his mother, before catching himself and stumbling backwards.
"And what might you be doing?" Bulma raised a manicured eyebrow in amusement.
"Do you know where Pan is?" Trunks asked, breathing heavily from his rage more then the fact that he had just been running. "She stole my sword. AGAIN."
"Did you check the gravity room?" Bulma suggested mildly, turning back to her cooking.
"Of course!"
"You don't have to snap dear," Bulma frowned at him. "She probably went to find Gohan in the woods."
Trunks gritted his teeth, "She KNOWS that she's not supposed to interrupt Gohan this weekend, she wouldn't go there. She has to be somewhere close. Why did Gohan insist on teaching her to hide her ki?"
"So she wouldn't nearly die or have you forgotten?" Bulma questioned absentmindedly. "And she asked Gohan before he left if she could visit him- something about wanting to set things as right as possible. I don't think you should bother them at the moment, anyway."
"But she has MY sword," Trunks whined. "Can't I go- just to take it back."
Bulma frowned, her expression growing blank. "I'm sorry Trunks- you know how Gohan gets on the anniversary of his father's and the others' deaths. If Pan took your sword again then you'll get it back eventually."
"You never discipline her," Trunks crossed his arms. Although he was beginning to feel extremely childish, he couldn't help it. This ALWAYS happened! Pan could get away with everything simply because they didn't know what her reaction to their discipline would be. It wasn't fair, especially since they punished him with rigor. Yes, even Gohan, his STEP- father. If the situation was reversed then he KNEW that they would sit him down and not only have a "talk," but Bulma would send him and Gohan into the gravity chamber so the Gohan could give him a "proper" punishment. "You could at least ask her not to touch my things!"
"I'm sorry honey, but that's not my decision to make," Bulma sighed.
"I don't understand," Trunks gritted his teeth. "You let Gohan decide what to do with me- why won't he let you help with Pan? You're HER step-mother."
"Pan's case is different, you know that," She frowned. "But I'll tell you what- I'll talk to Gohan about it, okay?"
Trunks sighed knowing this was the best he was going to get, "Okay."
"Just make sure she's gone," Bulma waved him away. "I need to know if I should set another place."
~
A few hundred miles away Son Pan trudged solemnly through the forest, dragging the large sword uncaringly behind her. It had taken her a few years, but she had finally come to understand these Earthlings and their odd ways..most of them. And it wasn't simply that- she had come to think of a strange man as her father, and Bulma as a mother. She had learned to forgive them all for 17 and 18s' deaths. It was well past time that she accompanied her father to his weekend in mourning.
He hadn't understood when she had asked him to allow her to invade his privacy, but he had agreed anyway as long as she only came for part of the trip. She had agreed, eager to accept any of his conditions. It had been overly nice of him to let her come. She understood what this time meant for him, yet she had to come at least this one time- to apologize for her other parent's actions. 17 and 18's.
She saw him a little ways away, bowing to an oddly shaped dinosaur. It reached its long neck to her father and nudged him with its head. Gohan smiled, said something that sounded soothing to it and turned to Pan, nodding to her.
She nodded back, echoing both his grave expression and stance. The dinosaur turned its head towards Pan, and she recognized it from one of her father's more lighthearted stories- Icarus. She bowed to it respectfully, noticing that it too was grieving, trying to take some of Gohan's grief for his own. She smiled slightly, wondering how 17 could ever mock such bonds of friendship.
"It's this way," Gohan spoke softly, and then turned around and began walking, Icarus following him by his side. Pan hurried to catch up and then walked at a slower pace, allowing him room to lead the way.
~
"Will they be visiting Chi Chi on their way back?" Trunks asked, pausing his efforts of cramming as much food into his face as possible to wait for his mother's answer.
She smiled, "Not this time. She said that she wanted to visit here."
"So she'll be arriving tomorrow?" Trunks frowned.
"Yes, I suppose," Bulma smiled faintly. "Why so curious?"
"I just have something I want to show you before then," Trunks smiled and then returned his attention to his plate.
Bulma frowned at her son, wondering what was wrong. First he acted like he was fourteen years old again, complaining about the fact that not only was he expected to help Pan adjust to being a human, but accept Gohan as a father- something he had never considered to be a possible dream, and now he was acting like he had some big secret.
She studied him for a moment as he ate, wondering where the last seven years had gone to. Although she had never really thought about it before now, she realized that the only reason why he was still living in Capsule Corps and hadn't already settled down with one of the last few woman, was because she needed him here to help her.
Over the last few years she, Gohan, and Trunks had been going over plan after plan to get Earth back on her feet. This planet was dying and until this day they still hadn't come up with a feasible plan to save it. Even Pan had been helping then during the last year or so, and no one had the heart to ask why. Not even Trunks. They didn't want to know her answer.
During the first few weeks she had gathered all of the food she could afford to go without, prepared it, and sent Gohan and Trunks to feed it to anyone who seemed to need it. They had come back exhausted and furious, their old anger returning when they surveyed the effects of the androids.
Bulma had immediately changed tactics, knowing that Pan wouldn't understand why they were upset with 17 and 18 again- in her mind they were blameless. She set out a radio signal, informing everyone that if they needed aid, then they could be assisted at Capsule Corps to the best of it's abilities. They came in hundreds at first, running out all of her supplies.
Pan helped dress wounds and amputate limbs with a clear mind, but the others could barely hold their stomachs at the sight of such injuries. But the mobs only lasted a few weeks and then the four-some were left to themselves. It was only after that first year that they realized that the planet wasn't getting any better. Any greener. In fact everything seemed to be growing browner. Hotter.
And then Bulma realized what was wrong- the Earth's core had somehow become unstable and deteriorating, whether this was because of the androids or for some other reason she did not know, and it was being pulled slowly into the sun. She wasn't sure what would happen first- whether the Earth would become too hot to survive on or its core would explode.
The worst part was that she could do nothing about it- there was o way to stabalize it again. No way that she would allow herself to abandon all of these people on the planet to seek refugee somewhere else. No way that anyone would believe her if she told them why what was left of the tribes in the desert seemed to vanish in it's hot thick air.
"Mom?" Trunks question, waving his hand in front of her face. "Mom- are you okay?"
She studied her son's worried face for a moment, remembering how she had gotten on such a disparaging train of thought. "I'm fine Trunks. What was it that you wanted to show me?"
Trunks handed his plate to one of the robot's, and then lifted Bulma's. She nodded her permission and he dutifully handed hers over as well. The robot scurried out of the room and Trunks stood up, "It's in your laboratory."
"My laboratory," Bulma blinked, frowning. "And why were you in my laboratory in the first place?"
"Finishing something you started and then forgot about," Trunks told her. She frowned at him, but was curious. They walked in silence to her laboratory, Trunks opening the door for her, and she shuffled in looking around. Nothing seemed out of place- in fact, nothing seemed any different from when she last left it. She turned questioningly to Trunks. "The time machine."
She started, her eyes widening, and then her eyes shot towards the machine. It had been so long since she had last though about it. So long since she had decided that it wasn't needed. "Why?"
"It's the only way," Trunks said softly. "You know it- I know it. There's no reason for everyone to die period, when we can go back and create a better future. You were willing to when the androids threatened our entire existence, so why not now?"
Bulma stared at her soon. He had a valid point. A very valid point. "But why not discuss it with us first?"
"I didn't know if it was necessary at first," Trunks admitted. "And I knew that this would be a last resort for you and by then it would be too late."
Bulma sighed, and then glared at him in defeat, "Does Pan know about this?"
"Yeah- it would've been pretty hard to keep it from her," He said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Don't think you're getting off this easy," Bulma warned him, her eyes absentmindedly roaming the time machine. He had done a good job of concealing this project of his- hell more then a good job. She hadn't noticed it had she? In fact, now that she looked at it closely she could only see the barest details modified on the outside and they were definitely changes she doubted no one would notice unless they KNEW they were there. "But..I think you just might be right."
~
Pan knelt next to Gohan, following his example and closing her eyes. She didn't know what she had been expecting, but it certainly had not been the rubble of a once-proud city. If she had no purpose for following Gohan here then she would have been slightly confused by this whole situation. But at the moment she couldn't allow herself to be confused.
She bowed her head, and with a deep breath began to speak, "I have come here on the behalf of 17 and 18. They raised me until the day they died, and therefore I have the burden of every wrong they have ever committed on my own back and wish to make what little atonement I can."
She took a deep breath to continue, but Gohan stopped her, placing his hand over her mouth, "They've already forgiven you."
"How? Why?" Pan asked, surprised.
He smiled down at her, "Haven't I told you enough about them? You should know why."
Pan frowned, but said nothing. For a long moment there was silence and then Gohan pulled his daughter to his side, she leaned her head on him.
"I wish..I could have met them," She said slowly. "I remember my mother..I remember," Her eyes glazed over as she saw the woman's death again. Her mother's death. Gohan kissed the top of her head.
"Let's go back a day early, okay?" He said, smiling down at her. After a moment she nodded and they stood up in unison. Gohan turned away from the scene, waiting for Pan to follow suit.
She stood there for a moment more, and then turned to her father, "Why did you let me come then?"
"Why did you bring Trunks' sword?" Gohan smiled.
She frowned at him, "Fine. It doesn't matter much anyway."
"You really should stop stealing Trunks' sword though," Gohan frowned at her.
Pan sighed and nodded, "It won't happen again father."
He smiled.
~ Pan walked beside her father, Trunks' sword awkwardly in her hand. He would not allow her to drag it behind her in such a disrespectful fashion, and therefore she was now swinging it back and forth in front of her, trying to imitate some of the moves she had seen Trunks make in the past.
Gohan said nothing on the long walk back, still thinking about his friends and then what Pan had just tried to do. Was she about to commit suicide when he stopped her? Or..what? She wouldn't kill herself, right? She had long since left that phase..right? He frowned, unable to find his answer.
"Dad- what's that?" Pan paused her sword work and pointed to a clearing where something a few different shades of green was crouched over. Gohan had to admit that it blended so well into the forest that he wouldn't have seen it if Pan hadn't pointed it out. Now he stared quizzically at it.
"I don't know," He shook his head, but was determined to find out. He stalked over to the green..thing, Pan following close behind. When they grew closer he saw that it was indeed a being and it seemed to be crouched over..a human? He watched, eyes transfixed, as the human under the being's face began to sag horribly, turning into putty. And then the being stood up, revealing that the human was indeed only skin now and its tail unplucked itself from...it.
Gohan stood in horror at the sight he had just seen. Had that..thing just sucked out the insides with his TAIL?! He didn't have any time to wonder more as the thing turned to him, eying the duo with a calculation that almost made Gohan quiver. Almost.
"Pan," He said softly, getting his daughter's complete attention quickly. "I want you to go and tell Bulma and Trunks about this thing."
"What?" Pan asked, confused. "But you may need my help!"
"Just go," Gohan commanded. She was still rooted to her spot, anger coursing through her features. "If you hurry you might get back in time."
She blinked, sighed, and then with a burst of speed flew off. Gohan watched her go and then turned back to the thing.. "Who are you?"
"Cell," It's voice was deep and had hidden laughter behind it.
~
Pan sped through the air, upset that her father had sent her away so that he could fight the thing by himself. And what made her seethe the most was that she knew, by the fact that he had wanted her to warn the others about this thing, that he was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to beat this thing. And he still wouldn't let her stay and help.
She fumed silently in rage all the way back to Capsule Corps, and when she landed she wasted no time in charging into the living room, where she had felt both of their kis.
"Gohan's fighting this evil green thing that can suck everything out of people, only leaving their skin," the words came out of Pan's mouth in a tumble. The mother and son blinked at her, completely taken aback by both her abrupt and what she had just said.
"Pan what-," Trunks started, but she cut him off.
"Sorry for taking your sword- won't happen again," She said quickly, chucking the sword at him which he caught deftly. She bowed to them, turned and ran away, feet pounding after her. The duo left behind blinked at her hasty entrance and departure.
"Pan- wait up!" Trunks cried, hurriedly placing his sword back in its sheath (which he had put on earlier out of habit), and raced after her, leaving his mother in his wake. Bulma sighed, not exactly understanding what was going on.
~
Hopefully I can get the next chappy up sometime soon. Gomen again for taking so long!; And as much as I hate to admit it- this will probably turn out as a t/p. -.-; But it figures that when I complain to someone about loosing this chapter I find it.; *rubs back of head*
Go to my website! http://www32.brinkster.com/ahoc/ahoc.html
~
~
"BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP. Blep. Blep. Blep," Gohan rolled over wearily and knocked the appliance onto the floor. A moment later he sat up straight in his bed, the events from the day before knocking him out of his sleepy stupor.
"Pan."
Her name rolled off his tongue just as it had always meant to. How he always wanted it to. She was alive. His daughter was alive. That knowledge was enough to let him die in peace. But the second thought that came after that stripped away his happiness- he had pushed her away. Because of all the foolishness he had chosen to do.that day.
"Gohan?" His head snapped in the direction of the voice when he realized that it wasn't his mothers, but someone else's. But then he forced himself to relax, wanting to hit himself on the head for being an idiot the second time that morning. It was Bulma. This was her house.
He rolled his eyes at himself, feeling a bit more then pathetic. How could he have forgotten the events of last night? How Bulma had suggested that he and his unconscious mother stay here for the night? How he had asked for a drink and she had teased him about being so young.? How.they had both gotten drunk and had done.what? He couldn't remember.
The events from the night before were a haze to him. The beginning was because of emotional reactions.but the second half was alcohol induced. He was such a pathetic sniveling poor excuse for a man. Why had his mother even thought that he could overcome half of his Saiyan genetics?
"Oh for the love of Kami Gohan!" Bulma said threateningly. "Get out of bed and stop feeling sorry for yourself! What happened last night was the product of yesterday- don't worry about it. It was as much of my fault as yours."
"."
"Oh. Thinking about Pan then?" Bulma asked, grinning cheerfully at him. He glared back at her and she giggled, "Don't think that you intimidate me Son Gohan. After all, I've lived with Vegeta and bore his son. No one can be worse then him!"
A grunt.
"Now you're trying to imitate him," Bulma frowned, and then grinned, throaty laughter escaping from her mouth. After a moment she quieted. "Don't worry about Pan. She'll come around."
"How do you know?" Gohan frowned, even to himself sounding like an overgrown child. Of course that was all that he probably was..considering well, everything. He groaned, for the first time wishing that it was possible for a demi-Saiyan to have a hangover.
He frowned when he felt Bulma sit beside him, when he said nothing she rested her head on his shoulder. Preoccupied by the sudden closeness, he almost missed her softly whispered answer, "Because she has to."
~
Pan shivered, refusing to power up and consequently allowing those..those people to be able to find her. They were horrible! Awful! She frowned, clutching herself in an attempt to get warmer, continuing to stumble through the forest. Her teeth chattered, and she cursed herself for letting that man kill 17 and 18. They would have died for her. And she repaid them with a moment of cowardice, running away!
She had been walking since the night before, after blasting away from the place, and hoped to get to her home by the end of the day. But she hadn't counted on the warm weather turning cold. Or at least not THIS cold. And what made it worse was that she couldn't power up. At all.
At first she had made good time, concentrating on moving as quickly as possible, any way possible, but her pace grew slower each step until now she was walking half blindly, only her outrage and confused emotions giving her power to take one more step forward. She would die soon. On some level of her mind she knew that. With a lowered power level she was as susceptible to the cool air as any human and eventually the last droplet of her strength would give out and she would be forced to lie on the cold hard ground and welcome death.
She knew this. Oh she knew this. That was the point. If she died before she got home then it was fine- she would be with 17 and 18 again and then everything would be perfectly fine. Except that she was dead of course. If she somehow made it back then she would live on. She would get revenge- after all, that was really all she had left to live for at the moment. Revenge.
She saw Trunks' concerned face, his eyes pleading with her to give her father a chance. She saw those eyes fill with longing when he spoke of wishing to be Gohan's son. She saw Bulma standing up and sacrificing her seat- and then her mumbling something that she hadn't quite caught, her face in a comically dry expression. And finally she saw him. Her father. First his surprise and then happiness of finding her existence, then his concern, and then, finally, his understanding. And understanding she didn't think he could possibly have.
She frowned at the memories. Frowned at the fact that she was loosing the feeling in her toes, that her legs were beginning to go numb with the cold. Frowned at the fact that even as she fell down she saw Trunks' concerned face looked at her, pleading with her to give this all a chance. And then, as darkness consumed her, she saw her grandmother's angry face, her stance that forced her to take a second look. The determination to be angry she wished she could have.
~
She woke up in a bed, white sheets and several heavy blankets weighing her down. Groaning, she attempted to push them off, but was unable to. She opened her eyes, panicking, and immediately was met with light blue.
"You're awake," Trunks breathed, his face slowly beaming with a smile. He turned, "Mom! She's awake!"
"Ah! Finally," Bulma appeared behind Trunks, pushing him out of the way and feeling Pan's forehead. "How do you feel dear?"
"What's going on?" Pan asked, her face blank. How had she gotten back here? Had someone been following her? Trunks maybe?
"I found you," Trunks said. "You were unconscious so I brought you back here- you've been out for almost a week!"
"A week," Pan blinked. It had been that long?
"You're lucky you chose to pass out in the middle of Trunks' 'thinking place,'" Bulma said, her voice neutral. "You were nearly dead when he found you. Why didn't you power up?"
"I wanted to get away," Pan said, turning her head so that she couldn't see them. "I couldn't unless my ki was lowered."
"You nearly died," Bulma frowned. "You knew you were, yet you didn't bother to save yourself?"
Pan was silent, the answer was self-evident, or at least the answer she knew this woman would or had already concluded was. Her real reason for staying silent though, was that she refused to explain herself to them, she had no reason to.
"Mom- can I talk to her for a moment while you get Gohan?" Trunks asked. After a short pause, Bulma turned and left, leaving the duo alone. "You know I was following you?"
"Not at the time," Pan said, her head still facing the wall. After a moment she turned towards him, "Why?"
"Why?" Trunks blinked at her question.
"Why did you follow me?"
"Because..I wanted to make sure you would be alright," Trunks shrugged, blushing slightly. She was silent, waiting for him to continue. "I feel..sort of like we have a link, you know?"
She shook her head- how could she have a "link" with someone who hated 17? How could she understand him?
His blush deepened with her bewilderment, "I mean- I never knew my father and my mom, no disrespect to her, isn't that great of a..mother. I know what it's like to yearn to know about my father..I know what it's like to wonder about my origin. If my mother was killed..then I know I'd feel the same as you probably do right now."
"And what do I feel right now?"
"Lost..confused," Trunks said softly, reflectively. "Hell- I would have done the same thing- take a long walk, filled with rage, and then watch everything slowly fade to blackness. Except that I would have fainted a lot sooner then you. But the difference between me and you is that Gohan would find me- I would KNOW he would find me and make everything better. Or at least as "better" as things could get."
"You thought through all that?" Pan asked blankly.
Trunks rubbed the back of his head, "I had a lot of time on my hands while I was tracking you!"
Pan allowed herself to smile, but said nothing. Trunks paused, blushing even more furiously, making Pan's smile all the more bigger. Gohan cleared his throat and both heads shot up towards the newcomer, even Pan blushed slightly this time as if she were caught in some heinous act.
"Sorry to interrupt you two, but I'd like to have a word with Pan," Trunks nodded, and hurried out of the room, leaving Pan to face her newfound father by herself. He sank into the chair Trunks' had just vacated, and for the first time Pan realized how close the boy had been. It had seemed a comfortable distance before, but now that there was someone else sitting in front of her, especially a man she did not trust completely- or even partially, it was far too close. He smiled hesitantly, "You two seem to be getting along."
Pan said nothing and Gohan sighed.
"There's nothing I can do to make up for everything that has happened to you..everything that I have unthinkingly or unknowingly inflicted," Gohan said, looking into his lap. "I won't ask you to forgive me. I don't expect you to. Ever. I can only hope that you'll agree to stay here and allow me to attempt to be somewhat of a father."
Pan trembled, suddenly incredibly cold again. It was like she was back in the forest, shivering and refusing to power up. She remembered what she had seen and felt before she had passed out and looked away from this man who called himself her father. With a resigned sigh she agreed, "I'll try."
They were silent for a moment, and then to her surprise he began to speak, "I suppose what we can call our history began with my father, your grandfather, Gokou."
~
Seven Years Later
~
"Pan!" Trunks screamed, racing through the corridors of Capsule Corps. 'Where is that little brat? Arg! When I find her.!' Cursing blindly in rage, he burst through the kitchen doors nearly barreling into his mother, before catching himself and stumbling backwards.
"And what might you be doing?" Bulma raised a manicured eyebrow in amusement.
"Do you know where Pan is?" Trunks asked, breathing heavily from his rage more then the fact that he had just been running. "She stole my sword. AGAIN."
"Did you check the gravity room?" Bulma suggested mildly, turning back to her cooking.
"Of course!"
"You don't have to snap dear," Bulma frowned at him. "She probably went to find Gohan in the woods."
Trunks gritted his teeth, "She KNOWS that she's not supposed to interrupt Gohan this weekend, she wouldn't go there. She has to be somewhere close. Why did Gohan insist on teaching her to hide her ki?"
"So she wouldn't nearly die or have you forgotten?" Bulma questioned absentmindedly. "And she asked Gohan before he left if she could visit him- something about wanting to set things as right as possible. I don't think you should bother them at the moment, anyway."
"But she has MY sword," Trunks whined. "Can't I go- just to take it back."
Bulma frowned, her expression growing blank. "I'm sorry Trunks- you know how Gohan gets on the anniversary of his father's and the others' deaths. If Pan took your sword again then you'll get it back eventually."
"You never discipline her," Trunks crossed his arms. Although he was beginning to feel extremely childish, he couldn't help it. This ALWAYS happened! Pan could get away with everything simply because they didn't know what her reaction to their discipline would be. It wasn't fair, especially since they punished him with rigor. Yes, even Gohan, his STEP- father. If the situation was reversed then he KNEW that they would sit him down and not only have a "talk," but Bulma would send him and Gohan into the gravity chamber so the Gohan could give him a "proper" punishment. "You could at least ask her not to touch my things!"
"I'm sorry honey, but that's not my decision to make," Bulma sighed.
"I don't understand," Trunks gritted his teeth. "You let Gohan decide what to do with me- why won't he let you help with Pan? You're HER step-mother."
"Pan's case is different, you know that," She frowned. "But I'll tell you what- I'll talk to Gohan about it, okay?"
Trunks sighed knowing this was the best he was going to get, "Okay."
"Just make sure she's gone," Bulma waved him away. "I need to know if I should set another place."
~
A few hundred miles away Son Pan trudged solemnly through the forest, dragging the large sword uncaringly behind her. It had taken her a few years, but she had finally come to understand these Earthlings and their odd ways..most of them. And it wasn't simply that- she had come to think of a strange man as her father, and Bulma as a mother. She had learned to forgive them all for 17 and 18s' deaths. It was well past time that she accompanied her father to his weekend in mourning.
He hadn't understood when she had asked him to allow her to invade his privacy, but he had agreed anyway as long as she only came for part of the trip. She had agreed, eager to accept any of his conditions. It had been overly nice of him to let her come. She understood what this time meant for him, yet she had to come at least this one time- to apologize for her other parent's actions. 17 and 18's.
She saw him a little ways away, bowing to an oddly shaped dinosaur. It reached its long neck to her father and nudged him with its head. Gohan smiled, said something that sounded soothing to it and turned to Pan, nodding to her.
She nodded back, echoing both his grave expression and stance. The dinosaur turned its head towards Pan, and she recognized it from one of her father's more lighthearted stories- Icarus. She bowed to it respectfully, noticing that it too was grieving, trying to take some of Gohan's grief for his own. She smiled slightly, wondering how 17 could ever mock such bonds of friendship.
"It's this way," Gohan spoke softly, and then turned around and began walking, Icarus following him by his side. Pan hurried to catch up and then walked at a slower pace, allowing him room to lead the way.
~
"Will they be visiting Chi Chi on their way back?" Trunks asked, pausing his efforts of cramming as much food into his face as possible to wait for his mother's answer.
She smiled, "Not this time. She said that she wanted to visit here."
"So she'll be arriving tomorrow?" Trunks frowned.
"Yes, I suppose," Bulma smiled faintly. "Why so curious?"
"I just have something I want to show you before then," Trunks smiled and then returned his attention to his plate.
Bulma frowned at her son, wondering what was wrong. First he acted like he was fourteen years old again, complaining about the fact that not only was he expected to help Pan adjust to being a human, but accept Gohan as a father- something he had never considered to be a possible dream, and now he was acting like he had some big secret.
She studied him for a moment as he ate, wondering where the last seven years had gone to. Although she had never really thought about it before now, she realized that the only reason why he was still living in Capsule Corps and hadn't already settled down with one of the last few woman, was because she needed him here to help her.
Over the last few years she, Gohan, and Trunks had been going over plan after plan to get Earth back on her feet. This planet was dying and until this day they still hadn't come up with a feasible plan to save it. Even Pan had been helping then during the last year or so, and no one had the heart to ask why. Not even Trunks. They didn't want to know her answer.
During the first few weeks she had gathered all of the food she could afford to go without, prepared it, and sent Gohan and Trunks to feed it to anyone who seemed to need it. They had come back exhausted and furious, their old anger returning when they surveyed the effects of the androids.
Bulma had immediately changed tactics, knowing that Pan wouldn't understand why they were upset with 17 and 18 again- in her mind they were blameless. She set out a radio signal, informing everyone that if they needed aid, then they could be assisted at Capsule Corps to the best of it's abilities. They came in hundreds at first, running out all of her supplies.
Pan helped dress wounds and amputate limbs with a clear mind, but the others could barely hold their stomachs at the sight of such injuries. But the mobs only lasted a few weeks and then the four-some were left to themselves. It was only after that first year that they realized that the planet wasn't getting any better. Any greener. In fact everything seemed to be growing browner. Hotter.
And then Bulma realized what was wrong- the Earth's core had somehow become unstable and deteriorating, whether this was because of the androids or for some other reason she did not know, and it was being pulled slowly into the sun. She wasn't sure what would happen first- whether the Earth would become too hot to survive on or its core would explode.
The worst part was that she could do nothing about it- there was o way to stabalize it again. No way that she would allow herself to abandon all of these people on the planet to seek refugee somewhere else. No way that anyone would believe her if she told them why what was left of the tribes in the desert seemed to vanish in it's hot thick air.
"Mom?" Trunks question, waving his hand in front of her face. "Mom- are you okay?"
She studied her son's worried face for a moment, remembering how she had gotten on such a disparaging train of thought. "I'm fine Trunks. What was it that you wanted to show me?"
Trunks handed his plate to one of the robot's, and then lifted Bulma's. She nodded her permission and he dutifully handed hers over as well. The robot scurried out of the room and Trunks stood up, "It's in your laboratory."
"My laboratory," Bulma blinked, frowning. "And why were you in my laboratory in the first place?"
"Finishing something you started and then forgot about," Trunks told her. She frowned at him, but was curious. They walked in silence to her laboratory, Trunks opening the door for her, and she shuffled in looking around. Nothing seemed out of place- in fact, nothing seemed any different from when she last left it. She turned questioningly to Trunks. "The time machine."
She started, her eyes widening, and then her eyes shot towards the machine. It had been so long since she had last though about it. So long since she had decided that it wasn't needed. "Why?"
"It's the only way," Trunks said softly. "You know it- I know it. There's no reason for everyone to die period, when we can go back and create a better future. You were willing to when the androids threatened our entire existence, so why not now?"
Bulma stared at her soon. He had a valid point. A very valid point. "But why not discuss it with us first?"
"I didn't know if it was necessary at first," Trunks admitted. "And I knew that this would be a last resort for you and by then it would be too late."
Bulma sighed, and then glared at him in defeat, "Does Pan know about this?"
"Yeah- it would've been pretty hard to keep it from her," He said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Don't think you're getting off this easy," Bulma warned him, her eyes absentmindedly roaming the time machine. He had done a good job of concealing this project of his- hell more then a good job. She hadn't noticed it had she? In fact, now that she looked at it closely she could only see the barest details modified on the outside and they were definitely changes she doubted no one would notice unless they KNEW they were there. "But..I think you just might be right."
~
Pan knelt next to Gohan, following his example and closing her eyes. She didn't know what she had been expecting, but it certainly had not been the rubble of a once-proud city. If she had no purpose for following Gohan here then she would have been slightly confused by this whole situation. But at the moment she couldn't allow herself to be confused.
She bowed her head, and with a deep breath began to speak, "I have come here on the behalf of 17 and 18. They raised me until the day they died, and therefore I have the burden of every wrong they have ever committed on my own back and wish to make what little atonement I can."
She took a deep breath to continue, but Gohan stopped her, placing his hand over her mouth, "They've already forgiven you."
"How? Why?" Pan asked, surprised.
He smiled down at her, "Haven't I told you enough about them? You should know why."
Pan frowned, but said nothing. For a long moment there was silence and then Gohan pulled his daughter to his side, she leaned her head on him.
"I wish..I could have met them," She said slowly. "I remember my mother..I remember," Her eyes glazed over as she saw the woman's death again. Her mother's death. Gohan kissed the top of her head.
"Let's go back a day early, okay?" He said, smiling down at her. After a moment she nodded and they stood up in unison. Gohan turned away from the scene, waiting for Pan to follow suit.
She stood there for a moment more, and then turned to her father, "Why did you let me come then?"
"Why did you bring Trunks' sword?" Gohan smiled.
She frowned at him, "Fine. It doesn't matter much anyway."
"You really should stop stealing Trunks' sword though," Gohan frowned at her.
Pan sighed and nodded, "It won't happen again father."
He smiled.
~ Pan walked beside her father, Trunks' sword awkwardly in her hand. He would not allow her to drag it behind her in such a disrespectful fashion, and therefore she was now swinging it back and forth in front of her, trying to imitate some of the moves she had seen Trunks make in the past.
Gohan said nothing on the long walk back, still thinking about his friends and then what Pan had just tried to do. Was she about to commit suicide when he stopped her? Or..what? She wouldn't kill herself, right? She had long since left that phase..right? He frowned, unable to find his answer.
"Dad- what's that?" Pan paused her sword work and pointed to a clearing where something a few different shades of green was crouched over. Gohan had to admit that it blended so well into the forest that he wouldn't have seen it if Pan hadn't pointed it out. Now he stared quizzically at it.
"I don't know," He shook his head, but was determined to find out. He stalked over to the green..thing, Pan following close behind. When they grew closer he saw that it was indeed a being and it seemed to be crouched over..a human? He watched, eyes transfixed, as the human under the being's face began to sag horribly, turning into putty. And then the being stood up, revealing that the human was indeed only skin now and its tail unplucked itself from...it.
Gohan stood in horror at the sight he had just seen. Had that..thing just sucked out the insides with his TAIL?! He didn't have any time to wonder more as the thing turned to him, eying the duo with a calculation that almost made Gohan quiver. Almost.
"Pan," He said softly, getting his daughter's complete attention quickly. "I want you to go and tell Bulma and Trunks about this thing."
"What?" Pan asked, confused. "But you may need my help!"
"Just go," Gohan commanded. She was still rooted to her spot, anger coursing through her features. "If you hurry you might get back in time."
She blinked, sighed, and then with a burst of speed flew off. Gohan watched her go and then turned back to the thing.. "Who are you?"
"Cell," It's voice was deep and had hidden laughter behind it.
~
Pan sped through the air, upset that her father had sent her away so that he could fight the thing by himself. And what made her seethe the most was that she knew, by the fact that he had wanted her to warn the others about this thing, that he was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to beat this thing. And he still wouldn't let her stay and help.
She fumed silently in rage all the way back to Capsule Corps, and when she landed she wasted no time in charging into the living room, where she had felt both of their kis.
"Gohan's fighting this evil green thing that can suck everything out of people, only leaving their skin," the words came out of Pan's mouth in a tumble. The mother and son blinked at her, completely taken aback by both her abrupt and what she had just said.
"Pan what-," Trunks started, but she cut him off.
"Sorry for taking your sword- won't happen again," She said quickly, chucking the sword at him which he caught deftly. She bowed to them, turned and ran away, feet pounding after her. The duo left behind blinked at her hasty entrance and departure.
"Pan- wait up!" Trunks cried, hurriedly placing his sword back in its sheath (which he had put on earlier out of habit), and raced after her, leaving his mother in his wake. Bulma sighed, not exactly understanding what was going on.
~
Hopefully I can get the next chappy up sometime soon. Gomen again for taking so long!; And as much as I hate to admit it- this will probably turn out as a t/p. -.-; But it figures that when I complain to someone about loosing this chapter I find it.; *rubs back of head*
Go to my website! http://www32.brinkster.com/ahoc/ahoc.html
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