"Rebels of the Revolution"

By Akira

Summary: "Saiyans have no king; Saiyans need no king." The heir to the throne returned long from exile – a choice he made long ago. He took the throne, and within months, rumors of a rebellion emerged. The entire planet turned against him… all except one girl.

Thanks go out to… Videl17, Kutie-Pan, Butterfly Monkey Babe of, Jezika, and chibigoten124/SSJ3MysticPan… for reviewing!

Chapter IV

Over the next week, Trunks was inaugurated as king.  He met a foreign ambassador from the Chiki-yuu race and fortified the Saiya-jin alliance with him.  Along with taking Saiya-jin law and history lessons from Lord Gohan, Steward of Vegeta-sei, his relationship with the Steward continued steadily downward.  For some reason unbeknownst to Trunks, every time Gohan looked at him, a strange glint reflected in those turquoise eyes, and every time Gohan talked to him, a hint of steel was present in the tone.

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Within the next seven days, Trunks had eaten five meals in Gohan's residency with Videl and Pan.  Videl grew more and more attached to the young king, which might also add to the Steward's dislike towards the king.  Pan, on the other hand, remained quiet and aloof during the young king's visits.  She seldom spoke directly to the king, but rather, spoke only when addressed to.  To Trunks, this only added to the luring enigma and mystery surrounding the young girl.

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"My King?" a voice blurted out behind him one day as Trunks was leaving Gohan's residency, heading back to his own chambers.

Trunks turned, his azure eyes shining.  He had been wondering for a very long time if the only daughter of Gohan could talk on her own.  "Yes, Pan of Vegeta-sei, daughter of Gohan?" 

She winced.  She hated being referred to as the daughter of her father.  It was as if all her reputation and dignity lied within her father.  "May I walk with you?" she asked, chiding herself at the bluntness of her voice.  In her determination not to stumble on her words, she had blurted out the question – making herself, in her opinion, rather forward.

Trunks wondered why she winced.  The Nameks had taught him from a very young age that people should be respected and honored at least to the point of naming their full title when addressing them.  It mystified him as to why she even approached him.  The Nameks always knew every other Namek, but just within the seven days he had set foot on Vegeta-sei, he knew that Saiya-jins never approached someone of a higher rank… and it was nearly a crime to associate with someone out of your "social status"; therefore, the unwritten but obeyed laws of status and rank in the Saiya-jin society forbade him to talk to even his own people.  He just wasn't use to women, he convinced himself.  Realizing he had been staring at her face the entire time, he had the grace to blush, nod slightly, and respond, "Sure."

Pan bent her head; it was unusual she ever received attention from the male species… unless it was something humiliating or embarrassing.  She was the first girl to try for warrior status in written history.  All the attention she ever received was gawking, surprise, or resentment.  "How are you faring with palace life, my lord?" she murmured as they past some members of the Elite, all of which knelt and placed had-over-heart deal. 

"It's… rather boring," Trunks said.  Part of him wanted to lie and say it was nice.  His better self got in hold of his conscience before he would lie.  This was the Steward's daughter after all. 

Pan chuckled nervously.  "I suppose it is when you don't have anything to do all day."

"What do you do?" Trunks asked, then immediately wanted to slap himself.  Where did this talkativeness come from?  And this curiosity?

Pan blushed.  It was now her turn to feel the pressure of lying or telling the truth.  It was considered unfeminine and utterly against tradition for a woman to try for warrior status.  He would probably find out sooner or later.  She was surprised he hadn't known already.  "I'm trying for warrior status," she said.

Trunks stopped abruptly.  Did he hear correctly or did she say warrior status?

Pan mentally slapped herself.  What else did she expect?  Of course he wasn't going to accept it and wrap her up in a hug, wishing her good luck… she should've known better.  He was a guy.  What's more, he's a king.  You know better than to talk to someone above your rank, she chided herself.

Trunks seemed to have regained voice.  "Congratulations," he said quietly.

Now Pan stopped abruptly.  Did she hear correctly or did he just say congratulations?  "For what?" she asked, slightly confused.

Trunks nearly killed himself.  He had walked right into this one.  There was nothing to do not but explain.  "On Namek, they use to give out awards for bravery, valor, and confidence.  You most certainly qualify for that award.  It would probably take more bravery out of you, more valor out of you, and more confidence out of you to brave the guys in training for warrior status than for me to face an army with all of the Elite behind me."

Pan remained quiet.  She knew a compliment when she heard one.  He would be the first one… and probably the only one… not to recognize it as a shameful and disgraceful action she had committed by wanting to become a warrior.  This king was definitely something else. 

They arrived at the King's chambers.  Before the door, Pan curtsied.  "Good night, my King," she murmured. 

"Good night, Pan, daughter of Gohan," he said in return, his frame leaning against the door.

Pan floated away.  An image of an ancient pagan goddess of the Saiya-jins floated across his mind.  Trunks shook his head.  From what Gohan had told him, Pan was only a girl… a girl of fourteen.  It was wrong to love one so young in such a short amount of time; it was, however, not wrong to admire one so young.  Shaking his head to clear his mind of these thoughts, Trunks went into his room.  Women or girls… they were both equally confusing… and he seemed to have an attraction to both like a bee to nectar. 

End Chapter IV

A/N:  Really mediocre of a chapter, don't you think?  I don't really like it.  As always, REVIEW!