I feel really special. Seven people to review the last chapter. Hehe... there's a longer Author's Note at the end, since these things tend to get long and annoying.
Special Thanks To Reviews From:
Pan-Chan
ills
pan-chan16k
Badtzzy
Starlight
Lithium-Like- Thanks for reviewing all three chapters!
dbz_girl22
~Symbols~
-...- Thoughts
(A/N:...) Author's Notes (a.k.a. annoying interruptions throughout each chapter, if any. I'm trying to cut down.)
~*~ Scene or Setting Change
Disclaimer: I do not, never have and never will, own DB/Z/GT. I do, however, own Pyra, another original character that'll be introduced at the end, and my Piccolo and Frieza action figures that I recently found after about a year of searching.
Chapter 4
Gohan sighed as he watched Trunks comb his hair in front of his mirror. He was so frustrated with Trunks' sudden interest in another woman that he was on the brink of insanity. If only he could talk to someone besides Trunks, it would be ok to spend some more time on Earth. But no, Trunks had to be difficult. - Damn Trunks and his Vegeta genes. Why didn't Bulma have a kid with Yamcha? Then maybe he wouldn't be so stubborn.- Then Gohan cringed at the thought of Bulma and Yamcha having kids. Sure, he liked Yamcha... but him having kids with Bulma... It was an unnerving thought to say the least. - They'd be blue or black haired geniuses with girl phobias...- He shook his head then he noticed Trunks looking at him weird. "What?"
"You had the strangest expression on your face," Trunks replied before returning to grooming himself. He was getting ready for yet another date with Pyra. "Like you were grossed out or something."
Gohan laughed. "I was. I was trying to think about what Bulma and Yamcha's kids would be like if they had any."
Trunks turned around with an identically scared look on his face. "Don't even joke about that. I didn't know the guy, but from what I've heard... ugh!" (A/N: I just had to put some Yamcha bashing in here, although it's irrelevant. Hopefully, it entertained you.)
Gohan laughed again and then his face became serious. "What has you so bent on dating this girl, Trunks? I've heard the questions she's asked your mother when they're at work, she can't be all that bright....."
Trunks tried not to smile. He wasn't wrong, she was a few fries short of a Happy Meal, but still, Trunks liked her company.... Ok, let's get real here, he liked her body. Why else would he go out with her? And there was also the fact that she kept him away from Pan as much as possible. Trunks had barely seen or spoken to Pan since he met Pyra a month ago and he'd seen Pyra every night, much to Pan and Gohan's disappointment. But he didn't say all that when he replied to Gohan's question. "Well, she may not be that smart when it comes to common sense, but she's funny and fun to be around-"
"But she's stupid!" Gohan said, interrupting him. He couldn't get over that. Why would you want to be with someone so dumb?
"She's not stupid just-"
"Slow? Retarded? Not the brightest crayon in the box? She has a few screws loose? She isn't playing with a full deck?"
Trunks laughed. "She is a little slow, I guess."
"A little?" Gohan's eyes widened. "She might as well be blonde for Kami's sake." (A/N: Sorry to the blondes out there, but you got to admit, that myth is surprisingly true in most cases.)
"Oh shut up, Son Gohan," Trunks laughed. "You got to admit, she has a nice body though."
Gohan raised an eyebrow. "Does she? I haven't really noticed."
Trunks shook his head and chuckled a bit. "Even when you're dead Videl has you whipped huh?"
Gohan smiled. "What can I say, we are bonded forever." Now that he had Trunks in a good mood, now was time to ask the million dollar question. "Anyway, when are you going to dump this Pyra girl and go out with my daughter?"
Trunks' face changed dramatically. He was no longer happy, but exceptionally annoyed. "Why must you ask me that everyday?"
"It's the only thing I can do. I can't exactly talk to anyone else and I can't go back to the Other World until I get you two together."
"Well, I hate to the tell you this, my friend," Trunks started as he reached for his coat and walked towards the door. "But it looks like you're going to be here for awhile."
As the door slammed, Gohan let out an exasperated scream. - Why must this be so difficult?!- Then it suddenly dawned on him... - Trunks said, "...it looks like you're going to be here for awhile" not forever. Maybe there is a chance...-
~*~
Trunks whistled as he walked down the hall and to the kitchen to pick up a snack before going to see Pyra. On the way in, he noticed his mother sitting at the table, drinking tea and reading a magazine.
Without looking up, Bulma asked, "Seeing Pyra again tonight?"
Trunks stopped and looked at her with a confused expression. "How'd you know?"
Bulma put down her magazine and looked up at her son. "Well, there's the fact that you are either on the phone or out with her these days. Then there's the fact that you're wearing that hideously strong cologne. And lastly, you're not carrying your sword with you. You never go anywhere without that thing.... it's weird..."
Trunks smiled as he sat down next to her and grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table. "You know me so well."
"Well, I should. I am your mother..... and a genius."
Mother and son exchanged a smile before Trunks got up, tossed his apple core into the trash, and headed towards the door.
"Wait, Trunks," Bulma called.
Trunks turned around and poked his head into the doorway of the kitchen. "Yeah, Mom?"
She seemed to hesitate, not wanting to offend him. "Why is that you see her every night?" She asked, curiously.
Trunks tried not to frown at the question that he'd just been asked, not only by his mother, but by his best friend only moments before. "Is there something wrong with that?"
"No," Bulma was quick to answer. "Not at all. I was just wondering. You never seem to go sparring with Pan anymore, or even talk to her. It's odd, that's all. You never go without seeing Pan."
Trunks sighed. "I know. I don't know what it is though. Pyra's just... I don't know... I like spending time with her."
Bulma nodded. She knew there was something hidden there, some other reason why he was devoting his attention to her constantly, but she didn't think it was the actual reason for his avoidance of his best friend, that he was afraid of his newfound feelings for her. "Do you like her that much?"
Trunks was slightly surprised by the question. Sure, he liked her lot, but probably not in the way she thought. "Yes, I do." Bulma nodded again, looking as if she were disappointed. "Is something wrong with that?"
"No, it's just that... I don't know... I never pictured you with someone like that. She doesn't seem like the right person for you."
"I'm not looking for a wife, Mom." Trunks was getting annoyed and itching to go meet Pyra.
"I know that," Bulma responded, glaring a little at her son for using the tone that he had.
"But, you should. You are 32 years old, it's time you settled down..... and Pyra just doesn't seem to be the person that you would pick to do that with...."
It was true, but Trunks didn't want to admit it. And it was obvious that Bulma didn't approve of Pyra, but he didn't know if it was just because she was an employee of Capsule Corp., or if it was another reason. Instead of finding out, he put the conversation to a stop. "I better go now, Mom. See ya."
When he disappeared out of the door, Bulma sighed. - He's not getting any younger. He better start looking for a wife. I need some grandchildren before I die.... damn Chichi, what have you done to me?-
~*~
Pan grunted as she drove her fist into the punching bag in her basement. Lately, that was the only thing that kept her sanity in tact. She couldn't talk to Trunks, because he was always out with that redhead. She couldn't spar with him, because he was always out with that redhead. She never even saw Trunks anymore, because he was always with the redhead. She was beginning to wonder if he was doing it on purpose, he never did that with any of his other girlfriends. Pan always came first.
She stopped her assault on the punching bag and paled. What if he remembered what she'd done the night that they went to the bar and that's why he was avoiding her? Nah, that couldn't be it. It wasn't Trunks' style. He would've confronted her and made it known when she did something stupid or wrong or something confusing. And then there was the look in his eyes that had confirmed that he was telling the truth when he told her what he had remembered of the night. But it still didn't make sense. She started punching the bag furiously as she thought of what she'd confessed to that night. Maybe if she hadn't done that she wouldn't feel as bad as she did now.
Panting, she threw her boxing gloves down and sat in a chair. - When did these feelings for him start anyway?- She went through every memory she had of Trunks, and she always seemed to always have those feelings for him. It could have started when he beat the Androids... no that couldn't be it. The feeling merely intensified, it didn't just appear. Maybe it was... yeah that was it. She couldn't help but smile at the memory.
Flashback
A 7 year old Pan sat on the ground in front of Capsule Corp. pulling up grass, bored out of her mind. She'd been worried ever since Trunks went into the past to help defeat the Androids. She was angry with him for being so foolish and upset that he might never come back. It was odd, her feelings for him grew into something that her young mind didn't quite understand. She sighed and laid on her back. - I wish Trunks-kun would come back. It's scary here without him around.-
As if on cue, something suddenly appeared on the front lawn. Pan jumped up and ran over to it, and once she saw the word "Hope!" written on the capsule-like vehicle, she instantly knew.
The time machine popped open and out stepped Trunks. He smiled as Pan ran up to him and jumped up into his arms, knocking him backwards a little bit. "Trunks!"
"Hey, kiddo!" Trunks said happily as he hugged her. It was good to be home. "How's everything around here?"
"As good as it gets with the Androids still here," Pan said with a slight frown, then she perked up a bit. "Mom and Bulma are still alive, if that's what you mean."
Trunks smiled and carried her into the house after enclosing the time machine in it's capsule. "Did ya miss me, little one?"
Pan smiled and nodded while gripping tighter on the older Saiyan's neck. "Of course I missed you! I was going crazy, Trunks!"
Trunks smiled. "I missed you too, Panny-chan."
End Flashback
Pan sighed as she got up. If that feeling was something she'd been harboring for over ten years, then it was bound to be strong by now. Yep, she was sure of it. She'd fallen in love with Trunks Briefs. It wouldn't be a problem if he'd felt the same way. Thinking of Pyra, she started another onslaught of punches and kicks to the punching bag, but it was destroyed by her force. She'd kicked a hole straight through it.
Sighing again, she carefully took down what used to be a punching bag, and threw it to the side, where hundreds of other punching bags lay on the floor, all of which destroyed by her rage.
- If I keep this up- she thought as she headed up the stairs. - Mom's going to think I need anger management.-
The Next Day...
Bulma was looking at a cook book while making dinner when the doorbell rang. Trunks eagerly ran over to the door, but skidded to a stop when Bulma called him into the kitchen.
"Hmm?" He asked while looking at the food she was cooking, his mouth watering a little.
"We're having dinner guests tonight," Bulma said without looking at him.
"We?" Trunks asked curiously, reverting his attention to his mother. "Dinner guests?"
"Were you planning on going out with Pyra again?" She sounded annoyed as she asked the question.
"Yeah," He replied as the doorbell rang again. "That's probably her right now."
"Well, invite her in for dinner," Bulma told him. "Because you are not going out tonight, young man. I've invited some special people over for dinner and I want you to be here."
"Need I remind you, Mother," Trunks said harshly. "That I am a grown man and I can do whatever I want."
Bulma turned around and glared at her son, a frying pan in her hand. "Need I remind you that I am your mother and I have a FRYING PAN IN MY HAND!"
Trunks whimpered and ran to answer the door as fast as he could, where someone was knocking and ringing the doorbell impatiently. There was one thing he knew his mother got from Chichi: that horrible frying pan. It made him go from "a grown man" to a scared little boy in a matter of seconds.
"Smooth move," Gohan said, who was leaning against a wall next to the front door, a smirk on his face.
Trunks rolled his eyes and answered the door. His blue eyes shined brightly when he was embraced by Pyra and pulled into a passionate kiss.
"I missed you, Trunksie-poo," Pyra said in a baby voice. (A/N: *Gag, gag, cough, cough*)
"I missed you too, Pyra-poo," Trunks said in the same way.
"Can we say, gag me?" Gohan said, making gag noises.
But the person that caught his attention, who was making the same gestures, was none other than Son Pan, standing behind Pyra in the doorway with her mother at her side. She looked even more amazing than he remembered, and his heart suddenly made a detour and ended up in his throat.
-Yeah, that's Gohan's kid, alright.- Trunks thought, referring to the gag gestures that she was making.
Videl nudged Pan in the side. "Pan, don't be rude."
Pan rolled her eyes then turned her attention to Trunks and Pyra, who still hadn't moved. "Well can we get into the house or what? I'd like to eat sometime this century."
Trunks' eyebrows rose as he and Pyra moved out of the way, allowing Videl and Pan to step inside. "Wait a minute. You're our dinner guests?"
Videl nodded in answer to his question and went into the kitchen. Pan turned and glared at her friend and his girlfriend before walking into the kitchen herself.
Gohan chuckled a bit. "I think my daughter's going to kick your ass, Trunks."
"Uh, Pyra," Trunks started. "We have to stay for dinner so... why don't you go on into the kitchen and have a seat." Once she was out of sight, Trunks turned to Gohan and whispered, "Why would she kick my ass?"
"Oh c'mon now, Trunks," Gohan started. "Are you really that stupid? You haven't seen or talked to her in a month. Isn't that reason enough?"
Trunks sighed. "Yeah I guess you're right."
With another sigh, he and Gohan headed into the kitchen, both with very different attitudes about what Pan might do to Trunks, or even Pyra. While Trunks was terrified, Gohan was smiling from ear to ear. He needed to watch a good fight.
~*~
"So, Pyra," Videl started, making dinner conversation with the other two human women, the only two people that weren't eating like there was no tomorrow. "I hear you work for Bulma now."
"Yes, I do," Pyra replied, while making a sickening face towards Trunks, who's mouth was covered in food. "For about a month now."
Pan smiled evilly and stopped eating long enough to be a smart ass "Wow! And you're working Trunks too! Keeping it all in the family, eh?"
Gohan burst out laughing, Trunks and Pyra looked shocked, and Bulma couldn't help but smile while Videl gasped. "Pan!"
"What?" Pan asked, smiling innocently at her mother, but turning it into an evil smirk Trunks' way before going back to her food.
"I'm sorry," Videl apologized to Pyra. "Anyway, what were you doing before you came to Capsule?"
"She was probably a whore," came Pan's voice from across the table, creating more laughter from her dead father and a failed attempt at stifling back a smile from Bulma.
"Actually," Pyra said, ignoring Pan's comment. "I worked for a corporation in the States."
"Really?" Once again Pan opened her big mouth. "Were you fucking the boss's son there too?" That comment earned a kick from Trunks, which earned an even harder kick from Pan, making Trunks let out a small moan. Bulma bit her lip to keep from laughing, while Gohan was practically rolling on the floor.
"Pan, what's gotten into you?" Videl demanded, outraged at her only daughter's behavior.
"Nothing," Pan answered after taking a drink. "I'm just filling in the blanks. It sounds to me like she goes around looking for a job at a big corporation so that she can grab the boss or the boss's son, whichever comes first. She sounds like a gold digger to me."
"I never thought of that," Bulma thought out loud, while tapping her lip with her pointer finger. "It actually makes sense."
"Mom!" Trunks was fuming. "Pan! What the hell is wrong with you people?"
"This totally made my day!" Gohan said, in between laughs.
"Well I'm sorry that I don't like her very much," Pan answered. "Why should I? She takes my best and only friend away and I'm supposed to be joyful about it?"
"It sounds to me like you're being a spoiled brat," Pyra snapped, making everyone else in the room stop what they were doing and stare at her, wondering where this sudden surge of courage came from.
"How so?" Pan asked, getting slightly irritated with her assumptions. After all, it was ok for her to assume, but for Pyra, hell no!
"Uh oh," Gohan said, grinning devilishly, then added in a taunting tone, "Someone's going to die."
"Well, you had Trunks all to yourself for so long that when he finally brings someone else into his life, you get angry," Pyra explained, while leaning back in her chair, pleased with herself.
"Ok," Pan said, standing up. "First of all," She counted out one finger on her hand. "I wouldn't mind if Trunks had a girlfriend, it's not like he's never had one before, but, for him to not be able to talk to me at all because he has one, that's what pisses me off."
Trunks jumped up as well when he felt Pan's power rising steadily. "Ok, let's just calm down alright?"
Pyra jumped up too, ignoring Trunks' protests. "Evidently, he found someone more worthy of his time instead of a little kid like you." And with that, she grabbed Trunks and kissed him once again.
"Bad move," Gohan muttered while glancing at his very pissed off daughter.
"A little kid?" Pan said through gritted teeth, balling her hands into fists at her sides, clinching them together so hard that her knuckles were starting to turn white. If she got any angrier, she was going to start glowing and possibly turn into a Super Saiyan. "A LITTLE KID? Since when is an 18 year old a little KID!"
"Uh... Pyra..." Trunks said breathlessly once Pyra finally broke the kiss. "If you ever want to see 29, I suggest we get out of here. Fast."
"No!" Pan said, walking around to the other side of the table so that she was in front of Pyra and getting into a fighting stance, her ki starting to glow around her. "We're going to fight, bitch! No one talks to me like that!"
- Oh shit.- Bulma thought. - I'm going to need another lab assistant.-
"Oh, please," Pyra taunted, while waving her away with her hand. "I might break a nail... or I might hurt you, little girl."
Pan screamed and threw a punch at her, not a strong one, but enough to knock her out so that she'd shut up. Only it didn't connect. Videl grabbed her arm when it was just inches away from Pyra's frightened face, much to everyone's amazement.
"Enough, Pan!" Videl shouted. "Let's go."
After apologizing to everyone, she dragged a reluctant Pan outside, who was still talking shit back and forth to Pyra. She knew that she could easily get out of her mother's strong and back to attempting to disembowel Pyra, but she figured she'd probably kill her if she ever saw her again, and she didn't need to be in prison anytime soon.
Trunks sighed and sat down. "That didn't turn out so great."
"What are you talking about?" Gohan said, smiling. "I had a good time!"
~*~
Once Videl and Pan were out of the door, Videl finally let go of Pan long enough to smack her across the face. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"What do you think?!" Pan screamed back, rubbing the arm that Videl dragged her by and the cheek that she'd just hit. Videl was stronger than she looked.
"Why is it so important that you see Trunks everyday?" Videl asked, while walking next door to their house, with Pan close behind.
"I don't have to see him everyday," She answered. "Once in awhile maybe. What's wrong with him talking to me for at least 5 minutes? He's been ignoring me ever since he met that tramp."
Videl turned around once Pan shut their front door. "That's no excuse to take it out on her. She's a very nice girl."
"Oh yeah, she's a nice girl," Pan said, sarcastically. "So nice that Trunks didn't even bother to defend me when she was insulting me."
"Why should he? You started the whole thing!"
"Well how would you feel if some bitch came strutting into Dad's life and took him away from you? Wouldn't you be upset?"
"Of course I would!" Videl answered. "But it's not the same thing! Your dad and I were in love." Videl's face softened when realization hit her. "Oh Kami... you're in love with Trunks aren't you?"
"What?!" Pan snapped. "No way! Not at all!" But there was no denying it by the look in her eyes. Tears were slowly forming in the corners of the black orbs, tears that she tried to hide the best she could, but they didn't go unnoticed by her mother.
Videl nodded slowly. "Yes. Yes you are. You've fallen in love with Trunks."
Pan put her head down as she began crying, trying to shield the tears that flowed down her cheeks in two lone rivers. "Ok, I do. Are you happy now?"
Videl walked over to her and held her sobbing daughter. - It all makes sense now. She's in love with him.... But why didn't I see this before, I am her mother and all? She's damn good at keeping secrets.- "He doesn't know, does he?"
Pan shook her head, but couldn't say the words. It hurt too much to even think about it.
Videl led her daughter into her room and sighed. - I hope she gets him away from that gold digger. Trunks would be perfect for her.-
The Um.. Next Day
Pan sat on the roof of her house early that morning, sulking and wallowing in her self-pity. She had a long talk with her mother about Trunks that night, and she had to admit, she felt a great weight lift off of her shoulders. It felt good to be able to share those feelings with someone, to be able to get it off of her chest instead of keeping it bottled up inside, but she soon felt depressed again at what she saw below her.
Trunks was walking Pyra out of his house, at almost 6 in the morning. It almost make her sick to think of why she was there so early. She masked her ki and tried her best to hold back the tears that were slowly forming in her eyes as she listened to their conversation.
~*~
"I had a great time, Trunks," Pyra said, smiling at him. "After that little bi- uh... friend of yours left." There was something about the way she said "friend" that bothered him a little bit, but he decided to ignore it.
"I'm surprised everyone in the world didn't hear what a 'great time' she had," Gohan said harshly as he walked up to the couple, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "By the way she was screaming, I thought Pan came back to kill her or something... that was until I opened my eyes..." Gohan cringed and made a disgusted face, like someone was eating worms or something in front of him.
Of course Trunks ignored him, but couldn't help but blush a bit as he turned his attention to Pyra. "I'm glad you did. I'll call you."
After they kissed and waved and all that other bullshit, Gohan turned to Trunks. "Would it have really killed you to control yourself long enough to go to her apartment? Or at least give a guy some warning first! My eyes and ears are scarred for life now, kid!"
Trunks just smiled and shook his head as he turned around to head for the door, but he stopped and paled a little bit at what he saw on the roof of the next house: Pan. Their eyes met for awhile, neither of them saying a thing. Trunks was about to open his mouth, but she flew away before he could say anything.
Trunks sighed and ran his hand through his hair as he turned to his deceased friend. "She hates me doesn't she?"
Gohan smiled. "Maybe. But I doubt it." He put his hand on Trunks' shoulder as they walked closer to the door. "From what I've seen from the Other World, she's always idolized you. She's just angry. Give her time to cool off."
Trunks stopped once they were inside. "It's still about me not seeing her all month, right?"
Gohan fell over anime-style and got back up. "How can you have a genius mother and still be so stupid? And they call me dumb!"
~*~
Pan landed in the city and decided to take a walk to clear her thoughts. A million questions were running through her mind, but the one that stood out was: Why didn't he want to see her? Pyra couldn't have meant that much to him that he'd push his best friend away, Trunks never did that. He never even got that close to anybody, he wouldn't allow himself to. So why was he doing that now? And why didn't he give her an explanation, or even speak to her the night before? It didn't make any sense. And all Pan could do was try her best not to cry and call attention to herself, but she wasn't doing a good job of it. Totally absorbed in her thoughts, she didn't even notice the man who was walking in the opposite direction, and she ran into him.
"Sorry," She muttered with her head down.
"Pan?" The man asked.
She lifted her head slowly, trying to remember where she had heard that voice. But when she saw his face, she instantly knew. "Xavier?"
The man identified as Xavier smiled. He had spiky black hair and green eyes. He wore an oversized black T-shirt and black jeans, just as Pan had remembered him. "The one and only." Then he frowned when he noticed the tears in her eyes. "Are you ok?"
"That's a dumb question," Pan said, half smiling.
"C'mon," Xavier said, putting an arm around her and leading into the coffee shop that they were standing in front of. "I'll buy you some coffee and you can tell me what's bothering you."
Pan nodded and soon found herself spilling her guts to her old friend. When Pan was 14, Videl made her go to a summer camp where she met Xavier, and the two 14 year olds became fast friends. She even told him about her crush on Trunks, and almost everything about her life, except for her being one fourth-Saiyan, which he found out on accident when Trunks blurted it out during one of his visits to the camp. It didn't bother him at all, it didn't change the way he felt about her, and in a way, in brought them closer together, since he was always an outcast because he had the ability to start fires with his mind. (A/N: Wouldn't that be the tightest power to have?) The two adolescents caused trouble all over the camp, playing jokes on all of the cliques of people that dared to make fun of them, like putting honey in their hair or raising their underwear on the flag pole, and even re-wiring the appliances in the kitchen, so that the light switch turned on the stove, etc., earning them their biggest achievement: getting kicked out of camp.
"That little bitch!" Xavier exclaimed, after hearing about the night at Bulma's. "I would've knocked her out."
"I tried," Pan said, smiling. "Believe me, I tried."
"And Trunks didn't even try to defend you?" Xavier asked. "Or give you an explanation as for why he was ignoring you for so long?"
"Nah, he barely even spoke to me the whole night." Pan looked sad as she said it, and Xavier knew why.
"That's a damn shame," Xavier said, shaking his head. "And what a little whore! What are you going to do?"
Pan shrugged, then she was struck with a sudden idea, like a bolt of lightening. She smiled evilly with an equally evil glint in her eyes as she did so.
"Uh oh," Xavier said. "I know that look. What's up, Pan-chan?"
Pan smiled and asked, "How would you like to help me pay a little visit to Miss Pyra?"
Xavier smiled but then it faded into a worried frown. "You're not going to kill her are you?"
Pan laughed. "Tempting, but no. I was thinking more along the lines of what we used to do at camp. I mean, I haven't seen you in 4 years, I think it's time we get back to old times."
Xavier grinned mischievously and leaned forward. "Alright, I'm in. What's your plan?"
Pan leaned forward and whispered in his ear about what kind of torture she wanted to put Pyra through, making him grin at every gruesome detail, while a very shocked, confused, and intrigued Gohan stared at them from the window of the coffee shop, wishing he could hear through glass.
*~*~*~*~*
There it is, Chapter 4, a little shorter than the previous two. I actually had this finished when I posted the third chapter, but I had to wait for reviews, ya know? And then there was the fact that school's starting Tuesday, so I figured I better hurry up and post this chapter when I had the chance. I wasn't really happy with this chapter, it was mostly dialog, but I had a hell of a time writing the dinner at Bulma's. I laughed my ass off at myself. And I know that this is getting dragged on and on and that Trunks should stop being such a wimp and confess, but I have to keep you interested, don't I? Oh, I have a little question to ask you people. My title doesn't really work, does it? I was thinking of changing it to "You Can't Help Who You Love", or something like that. Can you please let me know if you have any suggestions in your reviews. And as always, flames are happily accepted. Oh, and if you want to be emailed when chapter 5 comes out, just let me know in your review and leave your email address, ok? Ok. Now, on with the chapter preview.
Next Chapter: Hmm.. this chapter is sort of undetermined, but I can tell you that Trunks and Pan actually talk.. er... argue and Pan and Pyra have another confrontation. And then the moment of truth: Pan and Xavier's plan for revenge!... That I have yet to discover myself...
Special Thanks To Reviews From:
Pan-Chan
ills
pan-chan16k
Badtzzy
Starlight
Lithium-Like- Thanks for reviewing all three chapters!
dbz_girl22
~Symbols~
-...- Thoughts
(A/N:...) Author's Notes (a.k.a. annoying interruptions throughout each chapter, if any. I'm trying to cut down.)
~*~ Scene or Setting Change
Disclaimer: I do not, never have and never will, own DB/Z/GT. I do, however, own Pyra, another original character that'll be introduced at the end, and my Piccolo and Frieza action figures that I recently found after about a year of searching.
Chapter 4
Gohan sighed as he watched Trunks comb his hair in front of his mirror. He was so frustrated with Trunks' sudden interest in another woman that he was on the brink of insanity. If only he could talk to someone besides Trunks, it would be ok to spend some more time on Earth. But no, Trunks had to be difficult. - Damn Trunks and his Vegeta genes. Why didn't Bulma have a kid with Yamcha? Then maybe he wouldn't be so stubborn.- Then Gohan cringed at the thought of Bulma and Yamcha having kids. Sure, he liked Yamcha... but him having kids with Bulma... It was an unnerving thought to say the least. - They'd be blue or black haired geniuses with girl phobias...- He shook his head then he noticed Trunks looking at him weird. "What?"
"You had the strangest expression on your face," Trunks replied before returning to grooming himself. He was getting ready for yet another date with Pyra. "Like you were grossed out or something."
Gohan laughed. "I was. I was trying to think about what Bulma and Yamcha's kids would be like if they had any."
Trunks turned around with an identically scared look on his face. "Don't even joke about that. I didn't know the guy, but from what I've heard... ugh!" (A/N: I just had to put some Yamcha bashing in here, although it's irrelevant. Hopefully, it entertained you.)
Gohan laughed again and then his face became serious. "What has you so bent on dating this girl, Trunks? I've heard the questions she's asked your mother when they're at work, she can't be all that bright....."
Trunks tried not to smile. He wasn't wrong, she was a few fries short of a Happy Meal, but still, Trunks liked her company.... Ok, let's get real here, he liked her body. Why else would he go out with her? And there was also the fact that she kept him away from Pan as much as possible. Trunks had barely seen or spoken to Pan since he met Pyra a month ago and he'd seen Pyra every night, much to Pan and Gohan's disappointment. But he didn't say all that when he replied to Gohan's question. "Well, she may not be that smart when it comes to common sense, but she's funny and fun to be around-"
"But she's stupid!" Gohan said, interrupting him. He couldn't get over that. Why would you want to be with someone so dumb?
"She's not stupid just-"
"Slow? Retarded? Not the brightest crayon in the box? She has a few screws loose? She isn't playing with a full deck?"
Trunks laughed. "She is a little slow, I guess."
"A little?" Gohan's eyes widened. "She might as well be blonde for Kami's sake." (A/N: Sorry to the blondes out there, but you got to admit, that myth is surprisingly true in most cases.)
"Oh shut up, Son Gohan," Trunks laughed. "You got to admit, she has a nice body though."
Gohan raised an eyebrow. "Does she? I haven't really noticed."
Trunks shook his head and chuckled a bit. "Even when you're dead Videl has you whipped huh?"
Gohan smiled. "What can I say, we are bonded forever." Now that he had Trunks in a good mood, now was time to ask the million dollar question. "Anyway, when are you going to dump this Pyra girl and go out with my daughter?"
Trunks' face changed dramatically. He was no longer happy, but exceptionally annoyed. "Why must you ask me that everyday?"
"It's the only thing I can do. I can't exactly talk to anyone else and I can't go back to the Other World until I get you two together."
"Well, I hate to the tell you this, my friend," Trunks started as he reached for his coat and walked towards the door. "But it looks like you're going to be here for awhile."
As the door slammed, Gohan let out an exasperated scream. - Why must this be so difficult?!- Then it suddenly dawned on him... - Trunks said, "...it looks like you're going to be here for awhile" not forever. Maybe there is a chance...-
~*~
Trunks whistled as he walked down the hall and to the kitchen to pick up a snack before going to see Pyra. On the way in, he noticed his mother sitting at the table, drinking tea and reading a magazine.
Without looking up, Bulma asked, "Seeing Pyra again tonight?"
Trunks stopped and looked at her with a confused expression. "How'd you know?"
Bulma put down her magazine and looked up at her son. "Well, there's the fact that you are either on the phone or out with her these days. Then there's the fact that you're wearing that hideously strong cologne. And lastly, you're not carrying your sword with you. You never go anywhere without that thing.... it's weird..."
Trunks smiled as he sat down next to her and grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table. "You know me so well."
"Well, I should. I am your mother..... and a genius."
Mother and son exchanged a smile before Trunks got up, tossed his apple core into the trash, and headed towards the door.
"Wait, Trunks," Bulma called.
Trunks turned around and poked his head into the doorway of the kitchen. "Yeah, Mom?"
She seemed to hesitate, not wanting to offend him. "Why is that you see her every night?" She asked, curiously.
Trunks tried not to frown at the question that he'd just been asked, not only by his mother, but by his best friend only moments before. "Is there something wrong with that?"
"No," Bulma was quick to answer. "Not at all. I was just wondering. You never seem to go sparring with Pan anymore, or even talk to her. It's odd, that's all. You never go without seeing Pan."
Trunks sighed. "I know. I don't know what it is though. Pyra's just... I don't know... I like spending time with her."
Bulma nodded. She knew there was something hidden there, some other reason why he was devoting his attention to her constantly, but she didn't think it was the actual reason for his avoidance of his best friend, that he was afraid of his newfound feelings for her. "Do you like her that much?"
Trunks was slightly surprised by the question. Sure, he liked her lot, but probably not in the way she thought. "Yes, I do." Bulma nodded again, looking as if she were disappointed. "Is something wrong with that?"
"No, it's just that... I don't know... I never pictured you with someone like that. She doesn't seem like the right person for you."
"I'm not looking for a wife, Mom." Trunks was getting annoyed and itching to go meet Pyra.
"I know that," Bulma responded, glaring a little at her son for using the tone that he had.
"But, you should. You are 32 years old, it's time you settled down..... and Pyra just doesn't seem to be the person that you would pick to do that with...."
It was true, but Trunks didn't want to admit it. And it was obvious that Bulma didn't approve of Pyra, but he didn't know if it was just because she was an employee of Capsule Corp., or if it was another reason. Instead of finding out, he put the conversation to a stop. "I better go now, Mom. See ya."
When he disappeared out of the door, Bulma sighed. - He's not getting any younger. He better start looking for a wife. I need some grandchildren before I die.... damn Chichi, what have you done to me?-
~*~
Pan grunted as she drove her fist into the punching bag in her basement. Lately, that was the only thing that kept her sanity in tact. She couldn't talk to Trunks, because he was always out with that redhead. She couldn't spar with him, because he was always out with that redhead. She never even saw Trunks anymore, because he was always with the redhead. She was beginning to wonder if he was doing it on purpose, he never did that with any of his other girlfriends. Pan always came first.
She stopped her assault on the punching bag and paled. What if he remembered what she'd done the night that they went to the bar and that's why he was avoiding her? Nah, that couldn't be it. It wasn't Trunks' style. He would've confronted her and made it known when she did something stupid or wrong or something confusing. And then there was the look in his eyes that had confirmed that he was telling the truth when he told her what he had remembered of the night. But it still didn't make sense. She started punching the bag furiously as she thought of what she'd confessed to that night. Maybe if she hadn't done that she wouldn't feel as bad as she did now.
Panting, she threw her boxing gloves down and sat in a chair. - When did these feelings for him start anyway?- She went through every memory she had of Trunks, and she always seemed to always have those feelings for him. It could have started when he beat the Androids... no that couldn't be it. The feeling merely intensified, it didn't just appear. Maybe it was... yeah that was it. She couldn't help but smile at the memory.
Flashback
A 7 year old Pan sat on the ground in front of Capsule Corp. pulling up grass, bored out of her mind. She'd been worried ever since Trunks went into the past to help defeat the Androids. She was angry with him for being so foolish and upset that he might never come back. It was odd, her feelings for him grew into something that her young mind didn't quite understand. She sighed and laid on her back. - I wish Trunks-kun would come back. It's scary here without him around.-
As if on cue, something suddenly appeared on the front lawn. Pan jumped up and ran over to it, and once she saw the word "Hope!" written on the capsule-like vehicle, she instantly knew.
The time machine popped open and out stepped Trunks. He smiled as Pan ran up to him and jumped up into his arms, knocking him backwards a little bit. "Trunks!"
"Hey, kiddo!" Trunks said happily as he hugged her. It was good to be home. "How's everything around here?"
"As good as it gets with the Androids still here," Pan said with a slight frown, then she perked up a bit. "Mom and Bulma are still alive, if that's what you mean."
Trunks smiled and carried her into the house after enclosing the time machine in it's capsule. "Did ya miss me, little one?"
Pan smiled and nodded while gripping tighter on the older Saiyan's neck. "Of course I missed you! I was going crazy, Trunks!"
Trunks smiled. "I missed you too, Panny-chan."
End Flashback
Pan sighed as she got up. If that feeling was something she'd been harboring for over ten years, then it was bound to be strong by now. Yep, she was sure of it. She'd fallen in love with Trunks Briefs. It wouldn't be a problem if he'd felt the same way. Thinking of Pyra, she started another onslaught of punches and kicks to the punching bag, but it was destroyed by her force. She'd kicked a hole straight through it.
Sighing again, she carefully took down what used to be a punching bag, and threw it to the side, where hundreds of other punching bags lay on the floor, all of which destroyed by her rage.
- If I keep this up- she thought as she headed up the stairs. - Mom's going to think I need anger management.-
The Next Day...
Bulma was looking at a cook book while making dinner when the doorbell rang. Trunks eagerly ran over to the door, but skidded to a stop when Bulma called him into the kitchen.
"Hmm?" He asked while looking at the food she was cooking, his mouth watering a little.
"We're having dinner guests tonight," Bulma said without looking at him.
"We?" Trunks asked curiously, reverting his attention to his mother. "Dinner guests?"
"Were you planning on going out with Pyra again?" She sounded annoyed as she asked the question.
"Yeah," He replied as the doorbell rang again. "That's probably her right now."
"Well, invite her in for dinner," Bulma told him. "Because you are not going out tonight, young man. I've invited some special people over for dinner and I want you to be here."
"Need I remind you, Mother," Trunks said harshly. "That I am a grown man and I can do whatever I want."
Bulma turned around and glared at her son, a frying pan in her hand. "Need I remind you that I am your mother and I have a FRYING PAN IN MY HAND!"
Trunks whimpered and ran to answer the door as fast as he could, where someone was knocking and ringing the doorbell impatiently. There was one thing he knew his mother got from Chichi: that horrible frying pan. It made him go from "a grown man" to a scared little boy in a matter of seconds.
"Smooth move," Gohan said, who was leaning against a wall next to the front door, a smirk on his face.
Trunks rolled his eyes and answered the door. His blue eyes shined brightly when he was embraced by Pyra and pulled into a passionate kiss.
"I missed you, Trunksie-poo," Pyra said in a baby voice. (A/N: *Gag, gag, cough, cough*)
"I missed you too, Pyra-poo," Trunks said in the same way.
"Can we say, gag me?" Gohan said, making gag noises.
But the person that caught his attention, who was making the same gestures, was none other than Son Pan, standing behind Pyra in the doorway with her mother at her side. She looked even more amazing than he remembered, and his heart suddenly made a detour and ended up in his throat.
-Yeah, that's Gohan's kid, alright.- Trunks thought, referring to the gag gestures that she was making.
Videl nudged Pan in the side. "Pan, don't be rude."
Pan rolled her eyes then turned her attention to Trunks and Pyra, who still hadn't moved. "Well can we get into the house or what? I'd like to eat sometime this century."
Trunks' eyebrows rose as he and Pyra moved out of the way, allowing Videl and Pan to step inside. "Wait a minute. You're our dinner guests?"
Videl nodded in answer to his question and went into the kitchen. Pan turned and glared at her friend and his girlfriend before walking into the kitchen herself.
Gohan chuckled a bit. "I think my daughter's going to kick your ass, Trunks."
"Uh, Pyra," Trunks started. "We have to stay for dinner so... why don't you go on into the kitchen and have a seat." Once she was out of sight, Trunks turned to Gohan and whispered, "Why would she kick my ass?"
"Oh c'mon now, Trunks," Gohan started. "Are you really that stupid? You haven't seen or talked to her in a month. Isn't that reason enough?"
Trunks sighed. "Yeah I guess you're right."
With another sigh, he and Gohan headed into the kitchen, both with very different attitudes about what Pan might do to Trunks, or even Pyra. While Trunks was terrified, Gohan was smiling from ear to ear. He needed to watch a good fight.
~*~
"So, Pyra," Videl started, making dinner conversation with the other two human women, the only two people that weren't eating like there was no tomorrow. "I hear you work for Bulma now."
"Yes, I do," Pyra replied, while making a sickening face towards Trunks, who's mouth was covered in food. "For about a month now."
Pan smiled evilly and stopped eating long enough to be a smart ass "Wow! And you're working Trunks too! Keeping it all in the family, eh?"
Gohan burst out laughing, Trunks and Pyra looked shocked, and Bulma couldn't help but smile while Videl gasped. "Pan!"
"What?" Pan asked, smiling innocently at her mother, but turning it into an evil smirk Trunks' way before going back to her food.
"I'm sorry," Videl apologized to Pyra. "Anyway, what were you doing before you came to Capsule?"
"She was probably a whore," came Pan's voice from across the table, creating more laughter from her dead father and a failed attempt at stifling back a smile from Bulma.
"Actually," Pyra said, ignoring Pan's comment. "I worked for a corporation in the States."
"Really?" Once again Pan opened her big mouth. "Were you fucking the boss's son there too?" That comment earned a kick from Trunks, which earned an even harder kick from Pan, making Trunks let out a small moan. Bulma bit her lip to keep from laughing, while Gohan was practically rolling on the floor.
"Pan, what's gotten into you?" Videl demanded, outraged at her only daughter's behavior.
"Nothing," Pan answered after taking a drink. "I'm just filling in the blanks. It sounds to me like she goes around looking for a job at a big corporation so that she can grab the boss or the boss's son, whichever comes first. She sounds like a gold digger to me."
"I never thought of that," Bulma thought out loud, while tapping her lip with her pointer finger. "It actually makes sense."
"Mom!" Trunks was fuming. "Pan! What the hell is wrong with you people?"
"This totally made my day!" Gohan said, in between laughs.
"Well I'm sorry that I don't like her very much," Pan answered. "Why should I? She takes my best and only friend away and I'm supposed to be joyful about it?"
"It sounds to me like you're being a spoiled brat," Pyra snapped, making everyone else in the room stop what they were doing and stare at her, wondering where this sudden surge of courage came from.
"How so?" Pan asked, getting slightly irritated with her assumptions. After all, it was ok for her to assume, but for Pyra, hell no!
"Uh oh," Gohan said, grinning devilishly, then added in a taunting tone, "Someone's going to die."
"Well, you had Trunks all to yourself for so long that when he finally brings someone else into his life, you get angry," Pyra explained, while leaning back in her chair, pleased with herself.
"Ok," Pan said, standing up. "First of all," She counted out one finger on her hand. "I wouldn't mind if Trunks had a girlfriend, it's not like he's never had one before, but, for him to not be able to talk to me at all because he has one, that's what pisses me off."
Trunks jumped up as well when he felt Pan's power rising steadily. "Ok, let's just calm down alright?"
Pyra jumped up too, ignoring Trunks' protests. "Evidently, he found someone more worthy of his time instead of a little kid like you." And with that, she grabbed Trunks and kissed him once again.
"Bad move," Gohan muttered while glancing at his very pissed off daughter.
"A little kid?" Pan said through gritted teeth, balling her hands into fists at her sides, clinching them together so hard that her knuckles were starting to turn white. If she got any angrier, she was going to start glowing and possibly turn into a Super Saiyan. "A LITTLE KID? Since when is an 18 year old a little KID!"
"Uh... Pyra..." Trunks said breathlessly once Pyra finally broke the kiss. "If you ever want to see 29, I suggest we get out of here. Fast."
"No!" Pan said, walking around to the other side of the table so that she was in front of Pyra and getting into a fighting stance, her ki starting to glow around her. "We're going to fight, bitch! No one talks to me like that!"
- Oh shit.- Bulma thought. - I'm going to need another lab assistant.-
"Oh, please," Pyra taunted, while waving her away with her hand. "I might break a nail... or I might hurt you, little girl."
Pan screamed and threw a punch at her, not a strong one, but enough to knock her out so that she'd shut up. Only it didn't connect. Videl grabbed her arm when it was just inches away from Pyra's frightened face, much to everyone's amazement.
"Enough, Pan!" Videl shouted. "Let's go."
After apologizing to everyone, she dragged a reluctant Pan outside, who was still talking shit back and forth to Pyra. She knew that she could easily get out of her mother's strong and back to attempting to disembowel Pyra, but she figured she'd probably kill her if she ever saw her again, and she didn't need to be in prison anytime soon.
Trunks sighed and sat down. "That didn't turn out so great."
"What are you talking about?" Gohan said, smiling. "I had a good time!"
~*~
Once Videl and Pan were out of the door, Videl finally let go of Pan long enough to smack her across the face. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"What do you think?!" Pan screamed back, rubbing the arm that Videl dragged her by and the cheek that she'd just hit. Videl was stronger than she looked.
"Why is it so important that you see Trunks everyday?" Videl asked, while walking next door to their house, with Pan close behind.
"I don't have to see him everyday," She answered. "Once in awhile maybe. What's wrong with him talking to me for at least 5 minutes? He's been ignoring me ever since he met that tramp."
Videl turned around once Pan shut their front door. "That's no excuse to take it out on her. She's a very nice girl."
"Oh yeah, she's a nice girl," Pan said, sarcastically. "So nice that Trunks didn't even bother to defend me when she was insulting me."
"Why should he? You started the whole thing!"
"Well how would you feel if some bitch came strutting into Dad's life and took him away from you? Wouldn't you be upset?"
"Of course I would!" Videl answered. "But it's not the same thing! Your dad and I were in love." Videl's face softened when realization hit her. "Oh Kami... you're in love with Trunks aren't you?"
"What?!" Pan snapped. "No way! Not at all!" But there was no denying it by the look in her eyes. Tears were slowly forming in the corners of the black orbs, tears that she tried to hide the best she could, but they didn't go unnoticed by her mother.
Videl nodded slowly. "Yes. Yes you are. You've fallen in love with Trunks."
Pan put her head down as she began crying, trying to shield the tears that flowed down her cheeks in two lone rivers. "Ok, I do. Are you happy now?"
Videl walked over to her and held her sobbing daughter. - It all makes sense now. She's in love with him.... But why didn't I see this before, I am her mother and all? She's damn good at keeping secrets.- "He doesn't know, does he?"
Pan shook her head, but couldn't say the words. It hurt too much to even think about it.
Videl led her daughter into her room and sighed. - I hope she gets him away from that gold digger. Trunks would be perfect for her.-
The Um.. Next Day
Pan sat on the roof of her house early that morning, sulking and wallowing in her self-pity. She had a long talk with her mother about Trunks that night, and she had to admit, she felt a great weight lift off of her shoulders. It felt good to be able to share those feelings with someone, to be able to get it off of her chest instead of keeping it bottled up inside, but she soon felt depressed again at what she saw below her.
Trunks was walking Pyra out of his house, at almost 6 in the morning. It almost make her sick to think of why she was there so early. She masked her ki and tried her best to hold back the tears that were slowly forming in her eyes as she listened to their conversation.
~*~
"I had a great time, Trunks," Pyra said, smiling at him. "After that little bi- uh... friend of yours left." There was something about the way she said "friend" that bothered him a little bit, but he decided to ignore it.
"I'm surprised everyone in the world didn't hear what a 'great time' she had," Gohan said harshly as he walked up to the couple, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "By the way she was screaming, I thought Pan came back to kill her or something... that was until I opened my eyes..." Gohan cringed and made a disgusted face, like someone was eating worms or something in front of him.
Of course Trunks ignored him, but couldn't help but blush a bit as he turned his attention to Pyra. "I'm glad you did. I'll call you."
After they kissed and waved and all that other bullshit, Gohan turned to Trunks. "Would it have really killed you to control yourself long enough to go to her apartment? Or at least give a guy some warning first! My eyes and ears are scarred for life now, kid!"
Trunks just smiled and shook his head as he turned around to head for the door, but he stopped and paled a little bit at what he saw on the roof of the next house: Pan. Their eyes met for awhile, neither of them saying a thing. Trunks was about to open his mouth, but she flew away before he could say anything.
Trunks sighed and ran his hand through his hair as he turned to his deceased friend. "She hates me doesn't she?"
Gohan smiled. "Maybe. But I doubt it." He put his hand on Trunks' shoulder as they walked closer to the door. "From what I've seen from the Other World, she's always idolized you. She's just angry. Give her time to cool off."
Trunks stopped once they were inside. "It's still about me not seeing her all month, right?"
Gohan fell over anime-style and got back up. "How can you have a genius mother and still be so stupid? And they call me dumb!"
~*~
Pan landed in the city and decided to take a walk to clear her thoughts. A million questions were running through her mind, but the one that stood out was: Why didn't he want to see her? Pyra couldn't have meant that much to him that he'd push his best friend away, Trunks never did that. He never even got that close to anybody, he wouldn't allow himself to. So why was he doing that now? And why didn't he give her an explanation, or even speak to her the night before? It didn't make any sense. And all Pan could do was try her best not to cry and call attention to herself, but she wasn't doing a good job of it. Totally absorbed in her thoughts, she didn't even notice the man who was walking in the opposite direction, and she ran into him.
"Sorry," She muttered with her head down.
"Pan?" The man asked.
She lifted her head slowly, trying to remember where she had heard that voice. But when she saw his face, she instantly knew. "Xavier?"
The man identified as Xavier smiled. He had spiky black hair and green eyes. He wore an oversized black T-shirt and black jeans, just as Pan had remembered him. "The one and only." Then he frowned when he noticed the tears in her eyes. "Are you ok?"
"That's a dumb question," Pan said, half smiling.
"C'mon," Xavier said, putting an arm around her and leading into the coffee shop that they were standing in front of. "I'll buy you some coffee and you can tell me what's bothering you."
Pan nodded and soon found herself spilling her guts to her old friend. When Pan was 14, Videl made her go to a summer camp where she met Xavier, and the two 14 year olds became fast friends. She even told him about her crush on Trunks, and almost everything about her life, except for her being one fourth-Saiyan, which he found out on accident when Trunks blurted it out during one of his visits to the camp. It didn't bother him at all, it didn't change the way he felt about her, and in a way, in brought them closer together, since he was always an outcast because he had the ability to start fires with his mind. (A/N: Wouldn't that be the tightest power to have?) The two adolescents caused trouble all over the camp, playing jokes on all of the cliques of people that dared to make fun of them, like putting honey in their hair or raising their underwear on the flag pole, and even re-wiring the appliances in the kitchen, so that the light switch turned on the stove, etc., earning them their biggest achievement: getting kicked out of camp.
"That little bitch!" Xavier exclaimed, after hearing about the night at Bulma's. "I would've knocked her out."
"I tried," Pan said, smiling. "Believe me, I tried."
"And Trunks didn't even try to defend you?" Xavier asked. "Or give you an explanation as for why he was ignoring you for so long?"
"Nah, he barely even spoke to me the whole night." Pan looked sad as she said it, and Xavier knew why.
"That's a damn shame," Xavier said, shaking his head. "And what a little whore! What are you going to do?"
Pan shrugged, then she was struck with a sudden idea, like a bolt of lightening. She smiled evilly with an equally evil glint in her eyes as she did so.
"Uh oh," Xavier said. "I know that look. What's up, Pan-chan?"
Pan smiled and asked, "How would you like to help me pay a little visit to Miss Pyra?"
Xavier smiled but then it faded into a worried frown. "You're not going to kill her are you?"
Pan laughed. "Tempting, but no. I was thinking more along the lines of what we used to do at camp. I mean, I haven't seen you in 4 years, I think it's time we get back to old times."
Xavier grinned mischievously and leaned forward. "Alright, I'm in. What's your plan?"
Pan leaned forward and whispered in his ear about what kind of torture she wanted to put Pyra through, making him grin at every gruesome detail, while a very shocked, confused, and intrigued Gohan stared at them from the window of the coffee shop, wishing he could hear through glass.
*~*~*~*~*
There it is, Chapter 4, a little shorter than the previous two. I actually had this finished when I posted the third chapter, but I had to wait for reviews, ya know? And then there was the fact that school's starting Tuesday, so I figured I better hurry up and post this chapter when I had the chance. I wasn't really happy with this chapter, it was mostly dialog, but I had a hell of a time writing the dinner at Bulma's. I laughed my ass off at myself. And I know that this is getting dragged on and on and that Trunks should stop being such a wimp and confess, but I have to keep you interested, don't I? Oh, I have a little question to ask you people. My title doesn't really work, does it? I was thinking of changing it to "You Can't Help Who You Love", or something like that. Can you please let me know if you have any suggestions in your reviews. And as always, flames are happily accepted. Oh, and if you want to be emailed when chapter 5 comes out, just let me know in your review and leave your email address, ok? Ok. Now, on with the chapter preview.
Next Chapter: Hmm.. this chapter is sort of undetermined, but I can tell you that Trunks and Pan actually talk.. er... argue and Pan and Pyra have another confrontation. And then the moment of truth: Pan and Xavier's plan for revenge!... That I have yet to discover myself...
