(AN: Sorry about this being out so late, but my grandmother died, and my dad had to fly up to Long Island
for her wake and funeral (since my dad's side of the family are all Catholics, and my mom's side are
Baptists). Plus my dad restricted my time on the internet to one hour per day because I yelled at him
about the computer being crappy before we found out about my grandmother. *rolls eyes* I still say I was
softly seething, but no one'll listen. And.... OMK (Oh my Kami)! I've gotten over 100 reviews! And the one
hundredth reviewer is none other than....... *drumroll* Angel of Fire! *laughs evilly* Even though she
doesn't read my fic, we decided to annoy all my reviewers by having a nonreader become...... THE
QUEEN OF THE REVIEWERS! (Well, if it had been a guy reviewer, it would have been King [I'm not
stupid *ignores snort of disbelief from Angel*]......) Anyhow, thanks to everyone who reviewed my last
chapter and admired my pretty song! Rhyming is HARD! As I was saying, lots of people will be happy
today. I finally have Gohan, Goten, Pan, and the crew reunited. *grins* And it only took eleven chapters
and 39 pages to do it! Though they have a heck of a time reuniting. *smirks evilly* Goten gets to be an
idiot! *grins* And I've decided to try to change the fonts and stuff around. If the dumb computer will let me.
Well, enjoy! ~AC)
Chapter Eleven: As They Draw Nearer To Each Other
Marron watched Rayne carefully. As much as she disliked the girl, she couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
She knew how close Willis and Rayne had been. Terrence had been Rayne's replacement older brother,
even taking care of both his own orphaned siblings (Rebeus, Aurora, and Tristan) and Rayne's two
siblings. Gohan had made sure everyone received some money or things to trade with if they worked in
the rebel army, so that's how Willis had earned money to pay for food and clothing. Rayne also helped
out by teaching singing and history classes for the school that they had managed to create in a large
ex-lab in Capsule Corp. When Willis hadn't been on missions with Kare or Gohan, he had often helped
teach singing. Though the two had worked hard, Rayne and Willis had often gone without, giving almost
all of their supplies to the five children.
"Rayne? Are you all right?" Marron questioned, although she knew the girl couldn't know of
Willis's death. Rayne turned to stare at the half android, and Marron was mildly bewildered at the dark
disquiet and deep rue in her eyes.
"Are you all right?" repeated Marron when the girl didn't answer. Rayne smiled slowly, a calm
smile that didn't reach her distressed eyes.
"I'm fine," she informed Marron quietly, then turned back to face forward.
****************************************************************************************************************
Once Pan had calmed down and stopped weeping, there was an uneasy quiet that echoed through the
room. Finally Goten could stand it no longer.
"When are they due back?"
"In about half an hour," Bulma responded, checking her watch. Her own voice was strained with
both excitement and nervousness.
"Are we allowed to go watch for them?" Pan asked, her voice slightly husky from crying. Trunks
still had his arm around her shoulder, but no one seemed to notice as they all waited anxiously for
Bulma's reply.
"Of course. But from a hidden room, to keep safe," Bulma added. Immediately all four were on
their feet. One by one they bolted for the door, leaving Bulma alone with her two unconscious friends.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Almost there," Gohan murmured under his breath, nervously running his hands through his hair.
He closed his eyes as he walked, trying to picture his daughter and brother as he had last seen them.
Pan's grieving eyes fastened onto his as she was sent into the lands of dreams by the cryogenized-air.
Goten looking mildly surprised as Gohan's own fist sent his mind spinning from the realm of consciousness.
Gohan opened his eyes, sighing. At least soon he could see Pan and Goten's face, no longer surprised
but joyous. He smiled faintly as he pictured their faces. He couldn't wait. In answer, his legs picked up
speed into a jog. The half Saiya-jinn ignored the looks his soldiers gave him, and let a broad grin lighten
his face. This horrible day was quickly turning into a great one.
"Gohan?" The general turned to smile at the monk, who grinned back. Krillin scratched his head
thoughtfully.
"Would you mind telling me about Krill and Ikara? I've gotten Rayne, Marron, and Kare's version
of them, but I can't trust them. Kare and Marron their parents after all, and Rayne seems to be like an
aunt to them," the monk said hesitantly. Gohan grinned.
"Of course." Krillin's smile broadened as Gohan began to describe the grandchildren the monk
had never seen. Even as he spoke, Gohan couldn't help but wonder about the grandchildren he would
have. And he would have grandchildren, if Pan ever got married. He narrowed his eyes slightly, but Krillin
didn't notice the gesture. Pan wouldn't die of anything but old age. He would make sure of that. Extremely
sure.
****************************************************************************************************************
Pan sighed.
"Goten, why are we trying to walk through a metal wall?" she questioned her uncle. Goten
frowned, glaring at the wall as if it was to blame.
"I don't know," he mumbled, looking down at the ground. Trunks and Pan groaned
simultaneously, while Bra slapped her forehead.
"You mean we're lost? Wonderful," growled the azure-haired girl, scowling at Goten.
"Yeah, this is the last time we let YOU lead," Trunks added, shaking his head in half-annoyance,
half-amusement.
"Look, gomen ne, but can you guys stop yelling at me? Maybe we can turn around and look for
someone to help us," Goten whined, sticking his hands in his jean pockets. The other three shrugged.
Bra opened her mouth to say something obviously sarcastic, so Trunks quickly cut her off.
"Let's go. I think I heard voices three hallways down," he said, swiftly grabbing his sister's arm
and propelling her down the corridor. He didn't want another shriek-fest until after Gohan and Rayne had
come back.
"Come on, uncle of mine," Pan said, taking him by the arm. She noticed he looked slightly
depressed, and gave him an understanding smile. He weakly returned the grin. "Let's go catch up with
Trunks and B-chan." Goten wrinkled his nose as they began to walk.
"B-chan?"
****************************************************************************************************************
Bulma looked up as Puar slowly began to stir. She walked over to the end of the bed and looked down at
the blue form. Puar's eyes slowly fluttered open.
"Puar?" she asked quietly, leaning over the groggy feline. For a few seconds Puar's eyes were
clouded with confusion, then they cleared and she bolted upright.
"Bulma!" the azure cat squeaked. "Where's Bra? And Trunks? And Goten? And Pan? Where's
Rayne? Where's Terry?" Bulma sighed, and bowed her head.
"Trunks and the other three have gone to the hidden room to watch for Gohan and Rayne, who
haven't returned yet. I already told you about Terry. Please don't make me have to repeat the horrible
news again." Puar closed her eyes for a moment.
"Poor Rayne........" she whispered. Bulma slowly stood. They needed to get their minds off
Terrence's death.
"Well, Puar, Goten was leading the group when they bolted out of the room. If he's anything like
the Goten I remember, they'll be completely lost by now. Let's go and try to find them." Sniffling slightly,
Puar nodded her blue head.
"Let's go." The silvering-haired scientist and the blue cat hovering by her shoulder walked from
the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. Now the occupant of the room was all alone, the only sound in
the room the beeping of the machines and soft breathing of the sole sleeper.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Trunks, I think you've gotten us lost even more," Bra remarked icily, still miffed over his
interference with her argument with Goten. The lavender-haired man rolled his eyes and ignored her.
Muttering under her breath, Bra glared at her brother, who stared back with identical, impassive sapphire
blue eyes.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Goten, shut up!" Pan finally cracked, whacking her uncle over the head. He yelped, cowering
from her. "You've been muttering 'B-chan' incredulously ever since I called Bra that TEN minutes ago!"
Goten looked at her with astonished charcoal black eyes.
"B-but...... B-chan?" he asked, blinking. Pan groaned and covered her ears, running ahead. The
second son of Goku watched his niece dash away, cocking his head to the side like a bird. Frowning
slightly, he shook his head.
"Well, now who am I going to talk to?" he muttered. Only silence followed his question. Goten
sighed deeply. "Well, this sucks. Bra hates me, I've bugged Pan, and Trunks is up ahead. I have no idea
what to do for fun." He abruptly brightened, and an evil smile crossed his handsome face.
"I wonder what my baby niece, best friend, and best friend's kid sister would do if they thought I
was missing?" The very words made the half Saiya-jinn laugh evilly. "This is going to be fun......" He
waited until they turned left down another corridor, then bolted down the right one. "Ja ne, Trunks, Pan,
B-chan......" He paused, blinking. "B-chan?" Once again he began to mutter the name as he raced off in
the opposite direction the other three were headed.
****************************************************************************************************************
Rayne checked her watch, which had miraculously survived her beating by Morris. They would be home
in about ten minutes. The Sirec girl smiled slightly, a grin of half-excitement, half-dread. She would soon
have to face Goten, Bra, Pan, and Trunks. Worse yet, she'd have to face Rebeus, Aurora, and Tristan to
inform them their oldest brother was dead. Gone forever. Rayne shivered slightly. Why did it seem that
every time she became close to someone, they died? Mother, Father, Bolt, Thunder, Snow, Fall and
Terry......... Fall had been her twin. They had been bonded, and had always been able to finish each
other's sentences. Thunder had often joked that they were actually one brain in two identical bodies.
When Fall had been killed, Rayne had known even while in the lands of unconsciousness. And then there
had been Terry. Terry had become her replacement brother, father, best friend..... But he hadn't replaced
Fall. No, he had sworn he wouldn't. Together they had begun raising their five orphaned siblings. Terry's
father had died when he was twelve, killed during a raid on a nearby safe house. His mother had died
shortly afterwards, some say of a broken heart. Rayne sighed. Yes, both of them had known the feel of
heartache.
"Miss Rayne?" The voice slashed through her depressed thoughts, making her jump.
"Yes?" she asked, recognizing the speaker as Spyri, a member of Kare's guerrilla group. The
Swiss man smiled hesitantly. "Penny for your thoughts?" The simple phrase made Rayne smile. She
recalled all the times Terry had asked her the same question.
"Oh, nothing really. Just thinking about what a scene the general is going to make, seeing his
daughter and brother for the first time in twenty years," she said, attempting to grin at the blond. Spyri
laughed.
"I can't wait for that. If he cried over Krillin, then he's going to flood Capsule Corp. when he sees
them!" joked the Swiss, his blue eyes twinkling. Rayne raised an eyebrow.
"General Gohan wept?" she said, unable to stop from chuckling at the picture her mind
presented her. Spyri grinned wickedly.
"Cried like a little baby," he informed her, laughing too.
"I can't believe I missed that!" Rayne lightly slapped her forehead with her good hand. "I've got the
worst luck, don't I?" Spyri's smile faded slightly.
"Yeah, you do," he agreed.
"So, how does he sound when he cries? Does he sniffle like Puar, or make funny snorts through
his nose?" asked Rayne, swiftly centering the subject onto something funny. Spyri's grin returned in full
force.
"You wouldn't believe it, but General Gohan-"
"-But General Gohan is standing right behind you, and has been for the last couple of minutes,"
interrupted a familiar voice. The two jumped, and exchanged guilty looks before turning to face the
speaker.
"Er, hello, sir," Spyri said, saluting him awkwardly. Rayne grinned at the general.
"So, General, do you snort when you cry? Everyone makes some sort of odd noise. I hiccup-"
Her words were cut off by Spyri's muffled laughter. She looked over at him, frowning. "What?"
"You hiccup?" he asked, his face very red. Rayne heard a stifled inhalation of breath, and turned
to see Gohan also very red from surpressed laughter.
"What's so funny about hiccuping?" she demanded, good hand on hip.
"Hiccuping always is," concluded Spyri, before dissolving into laughter. Still shaking with
held-back laughter, Gohan simply shook his head, flapping his hands at her, and walked away.
"What? Spyri, stop laughing. At least I don't snort when I laugh........ Say, stay away from me.
Should I be running?" Spyri slowly nodded. "Uh-oh. Nodding isn't good. Eep!" The girl bolted past Marron,
Kare, and Krillin, the Swiss man close on her heels, a twisted grin on his face.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Oi, where's Goten?" Trunks abruptly questioned, looking around for his best friend. The other
two shrugged, Pan looking slightly worried.
"I haven't seen him since I ran up to walk with you two," she said. Bra slowly grinned.
"The baka has gotten himself lost by himself! Pan, your uncle is a complete and utter baka!"
Pan shrugged. "Well, he may be a baka, but he's my uncle-"
"-And my best friend-" added Trunks, with a meaningful glance in his sister's direction. Bra
ignored him.
"-So we have to go look for him," Pan concluded, ignoring the interruption. "C'mon, let's go." The
two Briefs siblings stared at each other. Bra opened her mouth to say something negative, but instead
let out a startled yelp.
"Fine," mumbled Bra, glaring at her brother whose elbow had conveniently disappeared behind
his back. She rubbed her aching side, scowling at him.
"I guess we better split up then," said Pan, ignoring the two glaring daggers at each other.
"Okay. I'll go straight backwards. Bra can take the left corridor. Pan, you can take the right."
Abruptly Trunks's voice was commanding and authoritative. Grumbling, Bra obeyed, stalking off and
mumbling obviously curse words under her breath. Pan nodded and hurried away, frowning with worry.
Goten better be all right. Or she'd make him pay for scaring her like this.
****************************************************************************************************************
Goten frowned, staring curiously around the room he found himself in. The wall he leaned against was
made of metal, but the other three sides were a dark glass that made him suspect that he could see
through it, but others couldn't.
"This must be the room Bulma told us about," he realized, speaking aloud. "Cool." He stepped
forward to investigate the glass, reaching out to touch the surface. Yelping, he scrambled backwards as
the glass suddenly disappeared to form a door about his size. Goten stared at it nervously for a moment,
pondering whether the door lead to something dangerous or not. Finally he shrugged and grinned goofily.
"One way to find whether it leads to a bad place or not," he declared, and opened wide the door.
****************************************************************************************************************
Spyri finally gave up, wiping beads of sweat from his brow as Rayne danced around him.
"I do NOT snort," he weakly declared, before sitting on the ground. They had raced far beyond
the group, and the Swiss suspected they were only a minute or so away from Capsule Corporation.
"Whatever you say," giggled Rayne, still bouncing from foot to foot. Spyri rolled his eyes.
"How did you get so hyper?" he questioned, finally managing to catch his breath.
"Since you chased me," she informed him happily, then began to bounce around, gingerly
holding her broken arm in place.
"Doesn't your nose hurt? It is broken." Spyri's words made her stop short, blinking.
"Oh yeah," she said, frowning. "It does, now that you mention- Ow!" Her good hand snapped to
her face as she winced.
"As soon as we get to Capsule Corp., you're getting taken care of." Rayne ignored him,
muttering curse words under her breath at the pain. Spyri raised an eyebrow.
"Really, is that all the swearing you can do? In only English," he questioned, sounding surprised.
Rayne stared at him.
"What do you mean by that?" she finally questioned. Spyri slowly began to smirk.
"I know how to curse in English, Swiss, Spanish, German, Italian, French, and Japanese,"
informed the Swiss, grinning wickedly. Rayne's dark eyes began to gleam.
"Do tell," she said, and listened attentively as Spyri began to gleefully list all the words and
meanings of the curse words he knew.
****************************************************************************************************************
Goten stood, blinded by the sunlight.
"Kuso!" he cursed, unknowingly using the word Spyri spoke at the same second, a block away.
He cowered against the door, shielding his eyes until they no longer hurt. Blinking warily, the half
Saiya-jinn looked around and grinned.
"Guess I'm going to be the first to greet Gohan," he said, smirking at his luck.
"Why not save them the walk? I know all they want to see is me....... Well, and Pan. But mostly
me," he concluded. Beginning to whistle, he jauntily strolled down the block.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Virare inferno means go to hell in Italian-" Spyri stopped in mid-explanation to stare at the
newcomer who peered at them from the street corner. "Say, who're you?" The dark-haired man grinned
goofily, and waved.
"Hello! Konnichiwa Rayne!" the newcomer called, trotting up to them. Spyri blinked.
"Miss Rayne, you know him?" Rayne nodded, smiling a grin filled with half-hidden mirth of which
Spyri didn't understand. Why was seeing the stranger so amusing?
"You look like you came in last in a tumble," commented the man, nodding at her arm and nose.
Rayne shrugged.
"You should see the other guy." The man raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. His cheerful
eyes fell upon Spyri, and he grinned at the same time Spyri's jaw dropped.
"Nandeyo?" whispered the Swiss. The man looked remarkably exactly the opposite of the
general, and yet exactly like him. Rayne frowned.
"You didn't teach me that one. What does it mean?" she questioned. The stranger grinned.
"It means 'what the hell' in Japanese," he informed her. Rayne slowly grinned.
"Anyway," Rayne said, ignoring the still-staring Spyri, "this is Lieutenant Spyri, of Kare's group."
The stranger grinned at the dazed Swiss.
"Nice to meet you," he said, but Spyri didn't reply.
"Where is everyone?" asked Rayne. The stranger shrugged.
"Back there." He jerked a thumb in the direction of Capsule Corporation.
"And why are you alone?" questioned Rayne. By now the Swiss had recovered.
"Who should he be with?" Spyri questioned, and the other two laughed at a secret joke his
words presented them.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Kuso, where are you uncle?" Pan growled. Now SHE was lost. "When I find you I'll-" Shaking
her head, she let her mind complete the threat. She turned around and glared in the direction she
thought she had come. "And Trunks, when I find you I'll get you for getting ME lost. Even though it was
Goten's fault." The daughter of Gohan ran a quick hand through her hair before jogging in the direction
she hoped she had come from.
****************************************************************************************************************
All three turned towards the sounds of Gohan's group coming closer. Goten winked at Rayne, who
winked back so that Spyri couldn't see.
"I'll be seeing you two later," he announced, giving them both a wave before turning and fading
into the shadows of the streets.
"Who was that?" asked Spyri, looking bewildered. "He never introduced himself."
"I'll tell you later," she said, grinning secretively. She couldn't wait to see his face when the
Swiss learned that the stranger was Son Goten, brother of General Gohan. "Let's go meet up with the
group." Spyri shrugged.
"Sure," he muttered, still staring after Goten. "If you want to." Sighing, Rayne hooked her good
arm around his and dragged him in the direction of Gohan's group.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Finally," Gohan growled in annoyance as he turned the corner towards Capsule Corporation
and spotted Rayne and Spyri walked in his direction. "What were you two doing?"
"He was teaching me lots of curse words," said Rayne cheerfully. Spyri groaned as Gohan
scowled lightly.
"You weren't supposed to tell him that!" the Swiss hissed fiercely. Rayne ignored him, grinning
even more.
"I learned over 500 curse words!" she proudly informed the general. Gohan sighed and shook his
head.
"How nice," he said wearily. "Just don't repeat them in front of any kids, okay?"
****************************************************************************************************************
Pan turned the corner and slammed into someone, yelping in surprise as she fell to the floor.
"Sorry," said a familiar voice, sounding sheepish. "Sorry, P-chan." Pan grinned at the blue-haired
girl.
"It's okay, B-chan," she assured her best friend. Trunks leaned over and helped her upright,
dusting off her clothes. "Did either of you find Goten?" Both shook their heads at the same time a shout
echoed through the corridor.
"The general is coming! General Gohan is coming!" All three looked at each other in surprise
before bolting in the direction of the voice.
"Wait!" yelled Trunks, catching the teenaged boy by the shirt. "Which way is the exit to go see
them?" The surprised boy smiled.
"I'll show you." The boy began to lead them off. "By the way, I'm Rebeus. Rebeus Willis."
****************************************************************************************************************
Rayne nodded obediently, then dashed off to tell of her learning to Krillin. To her astonishment and brief
disappointment, the monk already knew all of those words, and proceeded to teach her some curse
words in Chinese, Swahili, and Welsh. Overhearing them, Marron shook her head in disgust and walked
over to talk to Gohan. Kare, however, added some words in German that Rayne hadn't mentioned, and
also some Arabian and Korean. Spyri soon joined them, cheerfully adding some words he hadn't
mentioned to Rayne. The four cursers were still chatting when the group arrived at Capsule Corporation.
****************************************************************************************************************
Gohan took a deep breath. This was it. Inside Capsule Corporation was his daughter and brother. Taking
another soothing breath, the half Saiya-jinn paused, trying to calm himself down. Suddenly a thought
occurred to him, and he shuddered.
"You okay, General?" asked Marron, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze. He looked up at her,
and she recoiled slightly at the fear in his eyes. When he spoke, his words were one of a father who's
disappointed the apple of his eye, his baby girl, his Pan.
"What if she hates me? What if she never wants to speak to me again? What if she blames me
for her mother's death-" for he'd never spoken Videl's name aloud since her death- "What if she thinks I'm
a complete and utter baka-" Marron cut him off.
"She won't," Kare's wife assured him. "Pan will understand. Trust me. How could a daughter hate
her father? She may be confused and upset, but deep down, Pan-chan can never hate you, just as you
can never hate her." The quiet words of wisdom calmed Goku's first son slightly.
"I don't know what to say to her," he admitted.
"Then say nothing," she advised him quietly. "Just communicate with your actions." The normal
grim face brightened suddenly as she added, "Just like you did when you greeted Krillin!" Gohan stared
at the blond-haired, blue-eyed woman for a second, then burst into roaring laughter that echoed through
the street and made several soldiers stare curiously at him. Marron soon joined in, her laughter light and
full of mirth.
"Something funny?" questioned an amused voice, and Gohan froze, his eyes widening. He
slowly looked up, and gaped at the young woman who stood before him, a lavender-haired man and a
blue-haired teenage girl standing behind him, all three wearing identical goofy smiles. Gohan swallowed
hard, and opened his mouth twice, shutting it both times. Finally he spoke a single word in a quiet,
almost painfully wistful voice.
"Pan?"
(AN: What'd you think of Spyri? I put him in for the comic relief. He and Goten really make a hilarious
team. *looks thoughtful* Kind of like Rayne and Krillin. Well, ja ne! I'll work on the next chapter as soon
as possible, for Jevana and the gang. I promise I'll actually have them meet next chapter! *dodges flying
objects* I swear! Ja ne! ~AC)
for her wake and funeral (since my dad's side of the family are all Catholics, and my mom's side are
Baptists). Plus my dad restricted my time on the internet to one hour per day because I yelled at him
about the computer being crappy before we found out about my grandmother. *rolls eyes* I still say I was
softly seething, but no one'll listen. And.... OMK (Oh my Kami)! I've gotten over 100 reviews! And the one
hundredth reviewer is none other than....... *drumroll* Angel of Fire! *laughs evilly* Even though she
doesn't read my fic, we decided to annoy all my reviewers by having a nonreader become...... THE
QUEEN OF THE REVIEWERS! (Well, if it had been a guy reviewer, it would have been King [I'm not
stupid *ignores snort of disbelief from Angel*]......) Anyhow, thanks to everyone who reviewed my last
chapter and admired my pretty song! Rhyming is HARD! As I was saying, lots of people will be happy
today. I finally have Gohan, Goten, Pan, and the crew reunited. *grins* And it only took eleven chapters
and 39 pages to do it! Though they have a heck of a time reuniting. *smirks evilly* Goten gets to be an
idiot! *grins* And I've decided to try to change the fonts and stuff around. If the dumb computer will let me.
Well, enjoy! ~AC)
Chapter Eleven: As They Draw Nearer To Each Other
Marron watched Rayne carefully. As much as she disliked the girl, she couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
She knew how close Willis and Rayne had been. Terrence had been Rayne's replacement older brother,
even taking care of both his own orphaned siblings (Rebeus, Aurora, and Tristan) and Rayne's two
siblings. Gohan had made sure everyone received some money or things to trade with if they worked in
the rebel army, so that's how Willis had earned money to pay for food and clothing. Rayne also helped
out by teaching singing and history classes for the school that they had managed to create in a large
ex-lab in Capsule Corp. When Willis hadn't been on missions with Kare or Gohan, he had often helped
teach singing. Though the two had worked hard, Rayne and Willis had often gone without, giving almost
all of their supplies to the five children.
"Rayne? Are you all right?" Marron questioned, although she knew the girl couldn't know of
Willis's death. Rayne turned to stare at the half android, and Marron was mildly bewildered at the dark
disquiet and deep rue in her eyes.
"Are you all right?" repeated Marron when the girl didn't answer. Rayne smiled slowly, a calm
smile that didn't reach her distressed eyes.
"I'm fine," she informed Marron quietly, then turned back to face forward.
****************************************************************************************************************
Once Pan had calmed down and stopped weeping, there was an uneasy quiet that echoed through the
room. Finally Goten could stand it no longer.
"When are they due back?"
"In about half an hour," Bulma responded, checking her watch. Her own voice was strained with
both excitement and nervousness.
"Are we allowed to go watch for them?" Pan asked, her voice slightly husky from crying. Trunks
still had his arm around her shoulder, but no one seemed to notice as they all waited anxiously for
Bulma's reply.
"Of course. But from a hidden room, to keep safe," Bulma added. Immediately all four were on
their feet. One by one they bolted for the door, leaving Bulma alone with her two unconscious friends.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Almost there," Gohan murmured under his breath, nervously running his hands through his hair.
He closed his eyes as he walked, trying to picture his daughter and brother as he had last seen them.
Pan's grieving eyes fastened onto his as she was sent into the lands of dreams by the cryogenized-air.
Goten looking mildly surprised as Gohan's own fist sent his mind spinning from the realm of consciousness.
Gohan opened his eyes, sighing. At least soon he could see Pan and Goten's face, no longer surprised
but joyous. He smiled faintly as he pictured their faces. He couldn't wait. In answer, his legs picked up
speed into a jog. The half Saiya-jinn ignored the looks his soldiers gave him, and let a broad grin lighten
his face. This horrible day was quickly turning into a great one.
"Gohan?" The general turned to smile at the monk, who grinned back. Krillin scratched his head
thoughtfully.
"Would you mind telling me about Krill and Ikara? I've gotten Rayne, Marron, and Kare's version
of them, but I can't trust them. Kare and Marron their parents after all, and Rayne seems to be like an
aunt to them," the monk said hesitantly. Gohan grinned.
"Of course." Krillin's smile broadened as Gohan began to describe the grandchildren the monk
had never seen. Even as he spoke, Gohan couldn't help but wonder about the grandchildren he would
have. And he would have grandchildren, if Pan ever got married. He narrowed his eyes slightly, but Krillin
didn't notice the gesture. Pan wouldn't die of anything but old age. He would make sure of that. Extremely
sure.
****************************************************************************************************************
Pan sighed.
"Goten, why are we trying to walk through a metal wall?" she questioned her uncle. Goten
frowned, glaring at the wall as if it was to blame.
"I don't know," he mumbled, looking down at the ground. Trunks and Pan groaned
simultaneously, while Bra slapped her forehead.
"You mean we're lost? Wonderful," growled the azure-haired girl, scowling at Goten.
"Yeah, this is the last time we let YOU lead," Trunks added, shaking his head in half-annoyance,
half-amusement.
"Look, gomen ne, but can you guys stop yelling at me? Maybe we can turn around and look for
someone to help us," Goten whined, sticking his hands in his jean pockets. The other three shrugged.
Bra opened her mouth to say something obviously sarcastic, so Trunks quickly cut her off.
"Let's go. I think I heard voices three hallways down," he said, swiftly grabbing his sister's arm
and propelling her down the corridor. He didn't want another shriek-fest until after Gohan and Rayne had
come back.
"Come on, uncle of mine," Pan said, taking him by the arm. She noticed he looked slightly
depressed, and gave him an understanding smile. He weakly returned the grin. "Let's go catch up with
Trunks and B-chan." Goten wrinkled his nose as they began to walk.
"B-chan?"
****************************************************************************************************************
Bulma looked up as Puar slowly began to stir. She walked over to the end of the bed and looked down at
the blue form. Puar's eyes slowly fluttered open.
"Puar?" she asked quietly, leaning over the groggy feline. For a few seconds Puar's eyes were
clouded with confusion, then they cleared and she bolted upright.
"Bulma!" the azure cat squeaked. "Where's Bra? And Trunks? And Goten? And Pan? Where's
Rayne? Where's Terry?" Bulma sighed, and bowed her head.
"Trunks and the other three have gone to the hidden room to watch for Gohan and Rayne, who
haven't returned yet. I already told you about Terry. Please don't make me have to repeat the horrible
news again." Puar closed her eyes for a moment.
"Poor Rayne........" she whispered. Bulma slowly stood. They needed to get their minds off
Terrence's death.
"Well, Puar, Goten was leading the group when they bolted out of the room. If he's anything like
the Goten I remember, they'll be completely lost by now. Let's go and try to find them." Sniffling slightly,
Puar nodded her blue head.
"Let's go." The silvering-haired scientist and the blue cat hovering by her shoulder walked from
the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. Now the occupant of the room was all alone, the only sound in
the room the beeping of the machines and soft breathing of the sole sleeper.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Trunks, I think you've gotten us lost even more," Bra remarked icily, still miffed over his
interference with her argument with Goten. The lavender-haired man rolled his eyes and ignored her.
Muttering under her breath, Bra glared at her brother, who stared back with identical, impassive sapphire
blue eyes.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Goten, shut up!" Pan finally cracked, whacking her uncle over the head. He yelped, cowering
from her. "You've been muttering 'B-chan' incredulously ever since I called Bra that TEN minutes ago!"
Goten looked at her with astonished charcoal black eyes.
"B-but...... B-chan?" he asked, blinking. Pan groaned and covered her ears, running ahead. The
second son of Goku watched his niece dash away, cocking his head to the side like a bird. Frowning
slightly, he shook his head.
"Well, now who am I going to talk to?" he muttered. Only silence followed his question. Goten
sighed deeply. "Well, this sucks. Bra hates me, I've bugged Pan, and Trunks is up ahead. I have no idea
what to do for fun." He abruptly brightened, and an evil smile crossed his handsome face.
"I wonder what my baby niece, best friend, and best friend's kid sister would do if they thought I
was missing?" The very words made the half Saiya-jinn laugh evilly. "This is going to be fun......" He
waited until they turned left down another corridor, then bolted down the right one. "Ja ne, Trunks, Pan,
B-chan......" He paused, blinking. "B-chan?" Once again he began to mutter the name as he raced off in
the opposite direction the other three were headed.
****************************************************************************************************************
Rayne checked her watch, which had miraculously survived her beating by Morris. They would be home
in about ten minutes. The Sirec girl smiled slightly, a grin of half-excitement, half-dread. She would soon
have to face Goten, Bra, Pan, and Trunks. Worse yet, she'd have to face Rebeus, Aurora, and Tristan to
inform them their oldest brother was dead. Gone forever. Rayne shivered slightly. Why did it seem that
every time she became close to someone, they died? Mother, Father, Bolt, Thunder, Snow, Fall and
Terry......... Fall had been her twin. They had been bonded, and had always been able to finish each
other's sentences. Thunder had often joked that they were actually one brain in two identical bodies.
When Fall had been killed, Rayne had known even while in the lands of unconsciousness. And then there
had been Terry. Terry had become her replacement brother, father, best friend..... But he hadn't replaced
Fall. No, he had sworn he wouldn't. Together they had begun raising their five orphaned siblings. Terry's
father had died when he was twelve, killed during a raid on a nearby safe house. His mother had died
shortly afterwards, some say of a broken heart. Rayne sighed. Yes, both of them had known the feel of
heartache.
"Miss Rayne?" The voice slashed through her depressed thoughts, making her jump.
"Yes?" she asked, recognizing the speaker as Spyri, a member of Kare's guerrilla group. The
Swiss man smiled hesitantly. "Penny for your thoughts?" The simple phrase made Rayne smile. She
recalled all the times Terry had asked her the same question.
"Oh, nothing really. Just thinking about what a scene the general is going to make, seeing his
daughter and brother for the first time in twenty years," she said, attempting to grin at the blond. Spyri
laughed.
"I can't wait for that. If he cried over Krillin, then he's going to flood Capsule Corp. when he sees
them!" joked the Swiss, his blue eyes twinkling. Rayne raised an eyebrow.
"General Gohan wept?" she said, unable to stop from chuckling at the picture her mind
presented her. Spyri grinned wickedly.
"Cried like a little baby," he informed her, laughing too.
"I can't believe I missed that!" Rayne lightly slapped her forehead with her good hand. "I've got the
worst luck, don't I?" Spyri's smile faded slightly.
"Yeah, you do," he agreed.
"So, how does he sound when he cries? Does he sniffle like Puar, or make funny snorts through
his nose?" asked Rayne, swiftly centering the subject onto something funny. Spyri's grin returned in full
force.
"You wouldn't believe it, but General Gohan-"
"-But General Gohan is standing right behind you, and has been for the last couple of minutes,"
interrupted a familiar voice. The two jumped, and exchanged guilty looks before turning to face the
speaker.
"Er, hello, sir," Spyri said, saluting him awkwardly. Rayne grinned at the general.
"So, General, do you snort when you cry? Everyone makes some sort of odd noise. I hiccup-"
Her words were cut off by Spyri's muffled laughter. She looked over at him, frowning. "What?"
"You hiccup?" he asked, his face very red. Rayne heard a stifled inhalation of breath, and turned
to see Gohan also very red from surpressed laughter.
"What's so funny about hiccuping?" she demanded, good hand on hip.
"Hiccuping always is," concluded Spyri, before dissolving into laughter. Still shaking with
held-back laughter, Gohan simply shook his head, flapping his hands at her, and walked away.
"What? Spyri, stop laughing. At least I don't snort when I laugh........ Say, stay away from me.
Should I be running?" Spyri slowly nodded. "Uh-oh. Nodding isn't good. Eep!" The girl bolted past Marron,
Kare, and Krillin, the Swiss man close on her heels, a twisted grin on his face.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Oi, where's Goten?" Trunks abruptly questioned, looking around for his best friend. The other
two shrugged, Pan looking slightly worried.
"I haven't seen him since I ran up to walk with you two," she said. Bra slowly grinned.
"The baka has gotten himself lost by himself! Pan, your uncle is a complete and utter baka!"
Pan shrugged. "Well, he may be a baka, but he's my uncle-"
"-And my best friend-" added Trunks, with a meaningful glance in his sister's direction. Bra
ignored him.
"-So we have to go look for him," Pan concluded, ignoring the interruption. "C'mon, let's go." The
two Briefs siblings stared at each other. Bra opened her mouth to say something negative, but instead
let out a startled yelp.
"Fine," mumbled Bra, glaring at her brother whose elbow had conveniently disappeared behind
his back. She rubbed her aching side, scowling at him.
"I guess we better split up then," said Pan, ignoring the two glaring daggers at each other.
"Okay. I'll go straight backwards. Bra can take the left corridor. Pan, you can take the right."
Abruptly Trunks's voice was commanding and authoritative. Grumbling, Bra obeyed, stalking off and
mumbling obviously curse words under her breath. Pan nodded and hurried away, frowning with worry.
Goten better be all right. Or she'd make him pay for scaring her like this.
****************************************************************************************************************
Goten frowned, staring curiously around the room he found himself in. The wall he leaned against was
made of metal, but the other three sides were a dark glass that made him suspect that he could see
through it, but others couldn't.
"This must be the room Bulma told us about," he realized, speaking aloud. "Cool." He stepped
forward to investigate the glass, reaching out to touch the surface. Yelping, he scrambled backwards as
the glass suddenly disappeared to form a door about his size. Goten stared at it nervously for a moment,
pondering whether the door lead to something dangerous or not. Finally he shrugged and grinned goofily.
"One way to find whether it leads to a bad place or not," he declared, and opened wide the door.
****************************************************************************************************************
Spyri finally gave up, wiping beads of sweat from his brow as Rayne danced around him.
"I do NOT snort," he weakly declared, before sitting on the ground. They had raced far beyond
the group, and the Swiss suspected they were only a minute or so away from Capsule Corporation.
"Whatever you say," giggled Rayne, still bouncing from foot to foot. Spyri rolled his eyes.
"How did you get so hyper?" he questioned, finally managing to catch his breath.
"Since you chased me," she informed him happily, then began to bounce around, gingerly
holding her broken arm in place.
"Doesn't your nose hurt? It is broken." Spyri's words made her stop short, blinking.
"Oh yeah," she said, frowning. "It does, now that you mention- Ow!" Her good hand snapped to
her face as she winced.
"As soon as we get to Capsule Corp., you're getting taken care of." Rayne ignored him,
muttering curse words under her breath at the pain. Spyri raised an eyebrow.
"Really, is that all the swearing you can do? In only English," he questioned, sounding surprised.
Rayne stared at him.
"What do you mean by that?" she finally questioned. Spyri slowly began to smirk.
"I know how to curse in English, Swiss, Spanish, German, Italian, French, and Japanese,"
informed the Swiss, grinning wickedly. Rayne's dark eyes began to gleam.
"Do tell," she said, and listened attentively as Spyri began to gleefully list all the words and
meanings of the curse words he knew.
****************************************************************************************************************
Goten stood, blinded by the sunlight.
"Kuso!" he cursed, unknowingly using the word Spyri spoke at the same second, a block away.
He cowered against the door, shielding his eyes until they no longer hurt. Blinking warily, the half
Saiya-jinn looked around and grinned.
"Guess I'm going to be the first to greet Gohan," he said, smirking at his luck.
"Why not save them the walk? I know all they want to see is me....... Well, and Pan. But mostly
me," he concluded. Beginning to whistle, he jauntily strolled down the block.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Virare inferno means go to hell in Italian-" Spyri stopped in mid-explanation to stare at the
newcomer who peered at them from the street corner. "Say, who're you?" The dark-haired man grinned
goofily, and waved.
"Hello! Konnichiwa Rayne!" the newcomer called, trotting up to them. Spyri blinked.
"Miss Rayne, you know him?" Rayne nodded, smiling a grin filled with half-hidden mirth of which
Spyri didn't understand. Why was seeing the stranger so amusing?
"You look like you came in last in a tumble," commented the man, nodding at her arm and nose.
Rayne shrugged.
"You should see the other guy." The man raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment. His cheerful
eyes fell upon Spyri, and he grinned at the same time Spyri's jaw dropped.
"Nandeyo?" whispered the Swiss. The man looked remarkably exactly the opposite of the
general, and yet exactly like him. Rayne frowned.
"You didn't teach me that one. What does it mean?" she questioned. The stranger grinned.
"It means 'what the hell' in Japanese," he informed her. Rayne slowly grinned.
"Anyway," Rayne said, ignoring the still-staring Spyri, "this is Lieutenant Spyri, of Kare's group."
The stranger grinned at the dazed Swiss.
"Nice to meet you," he said, but Spyri didn't reply.
"Where is everyone?" asked Rayne. The stranger shrugged.
"Back there." He jerked a thumb in the direction of Capsule Corporation.
"And why are you alone?" questioned Rayne. By now the Swiss had recovered.
"Who should he be with?" Spyri questioned, and the other two laughed at a secret joke his
words presented them.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Kuso, where are you uncle?" Pan growled. Now SHE was lost. "When I find you I'll-" Shaking
her head, she let her mind complete the threat. She turned around and glared in the direction she
thought she had come. "And Trunks, when I find you I'll get you for getting ME lost. Even though it was
Goten's fault." The daughter of Gohan ran a quick hand through her hair before jogging in the direction
she hoped she had come from.
****************************************************************************************************************
All three turned towards the sounds of Gohan's group coming closer. Goten winked at Rayne, who
winked back so that Spyri couldn't see.
"I'll be seeing you two later," he announced, giving them both a wave before turning and fading
into the shadows of the streets.
"Who was that?" asked Spyri, looking bewildered. "He never introduced himself."
"I'll tell you later," she said, grinning secretively. She couldn't wait to see his face when the
Swiss learned that the stranger was Son Goten, brother of General Gohan. "Let's go meet up with the
group." Spyri shrugged.
"Sure," he muttered, still staring after Goten. "If you want to." Sighing, Rayne hooked her good
arm around his and dragged him in the direction of Gohan's group.
****************************************************************************************************************
"Finally," Gohan growled in annoyance as he turned the corner towards Capsule Corporation
and spotted Rayne and Spyri walked in his direction. "What were you two doing?"
"He was teaching me lots of curse words," said Rayne cheerfully. Spyri groaned as Gohan
scowled lightly.
"You weren't supposed to tell him that!" the Swiss hissed fiercely. Rayne ignored him, grinning
even more.
"I learned over 500 curse words!" she proudly informed the general. Gohan sighed and shook his
head.
"How nice," he said wearily. "Just don't repeat them in front of any kids, okay?"
****************************************************************************************************************
Pan turned the corner and slammed into someone, yelping in surprise as she fell to the floor.
"Sorry," said a familiar voice, sounding sheepish. "Sorry, P-chan." Pan grinned at the blue-haired
girl.
"It's okay, B-chan," she assured her best friend. Trunks leaned over and helped her upright,
dusting off her clothes. "Did either of you find Goten?" Both shook their heads at the same time a shout
echoed through the corridor.
"The general is coming! General Gohan is coming!" All three looked at each other in surprise
before bolting in the direction of the voice.
"Wait!" yelled Trunks, catching the teenaged boy by the shirt. "Which way is the exit to go see
them?" The surprised boy smiled.
"I'll show you." The boy began to lead them off. "By the way, I'm Rebeus. Rebeus Willis."
****************************************************************************************************************
Rayne nodded obediently, then dashed off to tell of her learning to Krillin. To her astonishment and brief
disappointment, the monk already knew all of those words, and proceeded to teach her some curse
words in Chinese, Swahili, and Welsh. Overhearing them, Marron shook her head in disgust and walked
over to talk to Gohan. Kare, however, added some words in German that Rayne hadn't mentioned, and
also some Arabian and Korean. Spyri soon joined them, cheerfully adding some words he hadn't
mentioned to Rayne. The four cursers were still chatting when the group arrived at Capsule Corporation.
****************************************************************************************************************
Gohan took a deep breath. This was it. Inside Capsule Corporation was his daughter and brother. Taking
another soothing breath, the half Saiya-jinn paused, trying to calm himself down. Suddenly a thought
occurred to him, and he shuddered.
"You okay, General?" asked Marron, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze. He looked up at her,
and she recoiled slightly at the fear in his eyes. When he spoke, his words were one of a father who's
disappointed the apple of his eye, his baby girl, his Pan.
"What if she hates me? What if she never wants to speak to me again? What if she blames me
for her mother's death-" for he'd never spoken Videl's name aloud since her death- "What if she thinks I'm
a complete and utter baka-" Marron cut him off.
"She won't," Kare's wife assured him. "Pan will understand. Trust me. How could a daughter hate
her father? She may be confused and upset, but deep down, Pan-chan can never hate you, just as you
can never hate her." The quiet words of wisdom calmed Goku's first son slightly.
"I don't know what to say to her," he admitted.
"Then say nothing," she advised him quietly. "Just communicate with your actions." The normal
grim face brightened suddenly as she added, "Just like you did when you greeted Krillin!" Gohan stared
at the blond-haired, blue-eyed woman for a second, then burst into roaring laughter that echoed through
the street and made several soldiers stare curiously at him. Marron soon joined in, her laughter light and
full of mirth.
"Something funny?" questioned an amused voice, and Gohan froze, his eyes widening. He
slowly looked up, and gaped at the young woman who stood before him, a lavender-haired man and a
blue-haired teenage girl standing behind him, all three wearing identical goofy smiles. Gohan swallowed
hard, and opened his mouth twice, shutting it both times. Finally he spoke a single word in a quiet,
almost painfully wistful voice.
"Pan?"
(AN: What'd you think of Spyri? I put him in for the comic relief. He and Goten really make a hilarious
team. *looks thoughtful* Kind of like Rayne and Krillin. Well, ja ne! I'll work on the next chapter as soon
as possible, for Jevana and the gang. I promise I'll actually have them meet next chapter! *dodges flying
objects* I swear! Ja ne! ~AC)