Thank you guys for all the kind words you gave me. *Saiyan_twinz starts sobbing like a pageant winner* It was very kind of you all. I must admit I was hoping you guys would guess who 'the person in the chair' is, but really who cares. Anyway, enough of me and back to the story.
PREVIOUSLYIn the faint light Pan's Saiyan eyes could make out a figure sitting behind her desk, with their back turned to her. Pan grinned and charged up a small ki ball in the palm of her hand. Obviously Trunks was distracted, his ki felt funny as if it were a bit misplaced. She shrugged and threw the ball towards the person. It was soon after the ball had left her hand she realized that the person in the chair wasn't Trunks. He was somewhere else in the apartment. She had been too furious to see that. Her eyes widened and she felt sick as she watched the ball fly towards her target. She was about to kill an innocent person, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
AND NOW…Pan gasped as the small energy ball flew towards its target. It was small enough to only slightly singe Trunks, but to anyone else, the blast would go straight through. Pan judged that there would be no way for her to reach the blast in time, so she did the next best thing.
"TRUNKS!!! HELP!!!!!"
Nearly as soon as she had finished yelling, Trunks appeared in the room. He glanced at the blast and his eyes widened. It was getting closer and closer to the desk. Trunks flew towards it to try to deflect it.
But he was too late.
The blast hit the person in the middle of the back, and they slumped in their seat before letting out a pained gasp. Pan stood shaking in the doorway, her hand still hovered where she had fired the energy ball. Slowly the person in the chair turned around to reveal a female form.
"SHIT!!! TRUNKS YOU ASS, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"
Pan smiled as she recognized the voice. Only one woman she knew would be able to take that blast and still be able to yell.
"BRA!!!"
Pan flew at the blue-haired girl and enveloped her in a huge bear hug.
"Youcan'tbelievehowgladIamtoseeyouatthemomentithoughtiwasgoingtokillaninnocentpersonbutnowyou'rehereand-"
Bra grimaced as Pan squeezed on the burn mark on her back.
"Owwww!!! Pan it was YOU?"
Bra looked at the younger Saiyan incredulously. Pan shrunk back and hung her head.
"mmmmhmmmm"
Bra walked to the mirror to examine the damage, leaving Pan to wallow in her shame. On her back, Bra could see a burnt hole, and a bit of singed skin where the blast had made a direct hit. She grimaced as she felt around the area, inspecting the wound. Trunks stood dumfounded, looking from Bra to Pan alternatively.
"Wow, my 'lets surprise Pan' plan really backfired on me didn't it?"
Pan simply glared at Trunks in response. She didn't hate him, she could never really hate him, she was just simply pissed off.
Bra turned and smiled at her brother and then at Pan.
"Oh never mind about that Trunks, I'm fine. And I'm sure that Pan will be more than willing to buy me a replacement top, now wont you Pan???"
Pan sighed in relief; Bra had the incredible ability to make anyone do something for her without sounding too bossy. Besides, what was a couple of hundred dollars to the health of a close friend?
"But of course Bra!! I wouldn't have it any other way."
Bra gave Pan one of her sweetest smiles. The ones she saved up primarily for Vegeta. Bra walked up towards Pan, and without warning, gave her a hug. Pan stood still, shocked. Bra noticed and thumped Pan on the back.
"Is that a more appropriate response for you Pan? Trunks dropped by a couple of days ago and asked me to come see you. I was trying to congratulate you….DUMBASS!"
Pan grinned and rubbed the back of her head embarrassed.
"Oh right, the job thing!"
Too many thoughts were flying around Pan's head. There was no way that she was going to be able to think clearly for another couple of days. Bra and Trunks both shook their heads.
"Okay Pan, I was going to start your training tonight but I don't think we'll get much done. In my professional opinion I believe that for the sake of your managerial future you should-"
Bra rolled her eyes and started walking out the door. She latched onto Pan's sleeve and dragged her away from Trunks' ranting. Pan waved to Trunks as she was pulled out the door, mouthing 'I'll call you'. Trunks stood blinking in the middle of the office as the two walked out the door.
"Bye."
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As soon as they had rounded the corner, Bra dropped Pans arm and slowly started walking towards the exit. Pan frowned and jogged to catch up to her friend.
"Hey Bra!!! BRA!!! What's up, I thought we were going out to celebrate?"
Bra screwed up her nose and frowned.
"With you? I don't think so."
Pan stopped walking with a confused expression on her face. What had happened to her best friend to make her act like such a bitch? Why then did she put on such an act in front of Trunks? None of it made any sense.
"I don't understand?"
Bra sneered, her once sparkling blue eyes now only revealed coldness and bitterness. She turned her back to Pan and glanced casually over her shoulder.
"I don't expect you would understand, coming from a third class family and all. I wouldn't be caught dead going clubbing with you!! It would ruin my reputation."
Pans pride was wounded. She could easily handle personal attacks. She had experienced that all through the hell otherwise known as high school. She could not, however sit idly by while her supposed best friend insulted her family and her ancestry. She clenched her fist at her side and tried to control her own emotions. She had to understand why all of this was happening. Why Bra had suddenly turned…mean.
"You have absolutely no right to speak about my family that way. You of all people."
Bra stiffened and turned to face her once again. Pan braced herself for a verbal or physical attack, but none came. Instead, Bra did something that confused Pan to hell. She smiled. Not a menacing grin or a conniving smirk. It was a genuine grin. Pan relaxed her stance and stared incredulously at the blue-haired demi-saiyan before her.
"BRA!! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"
Bra grinned wider and patted Pan on the arm.
"Oh nothing….nothing at all. Just a little experiment. Hurry up, otherwise we'll be late."
Bra grabbed onto Pans arm and tried to pull her out of the door. To anyone else watching, Bra was having a very difficult time trying to pull the significantly shorter girl out of the door. Bra had the advantage of her mother's height; she stood at an intimidating 5'8 (177cm). Pan however got her height from her mother's genes, and stood at a mere 5'4 (165cm). Pan had her arms crossed and a wild glint in her eyes, she was insistent on remaining where she was.
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell is WRONG WITH YOU!! First you get all excited and drag me out the door, while Trunks was talking I might add, and as soon as we get out of his sight you go all Vegeta on my ass. Now you're back to your normal bubbly self. So what is it, schizophrenia, bi-polar mood disorder, or are you just a sociopath?"
Bra laughed and slung an arm around Pans tiny shoulders.
"I was diversifying my acting skills. Anyway my agent rang up today and said I've been offered a part in an 'as-of-yet-unnamed' film about the Amazons, I was trying to be cruel and heartless, and by your reaction I think it worked. I fly out to South America tomorrow, so this is a double celebration."
Pan shook her head and let Bra lead her out the door.
"I'm just surprised you can still use the word 'diversifying' in a sentence. I was sure that your IQ was going to drop 50 points by the end of your modeling stint."
They both laughed.
"Ahh well, that would still place me about average wouldn't it. Thank you genetics."
Pan rolled her eyes.
"I'm just thankful that my father got Grandma's IQ instead of Grandpa Goku's."
Bra laughed, and they both exited Satan Incorporated's grounds.
"Yeah, just look at poor Goten."
They had finally reached the car-park where Bra had parked her car. Unlike the majority of the population, Bra avoided capsule cars. Pan had a theory that Bra desperately did not want to take over from her elder brother because she had seen what an impact it had on his life and was not willing to follow suit. She therefore tried to distance herself from anything related to the corporation; particularly capsules. Pan could only gape at Bra's car. It was a royal blue BMW Z3 roadster. It was a car unobtainable to 99.999% of the population; yet here one was, sitting right in front of her face. Pan struggled to get her thoughts back on track. She really should defend her uncle.
"Goten's not dumb…..he's just a bit… naïve."
Bra smirked and raised an eyebrow, jumping easily over the car door and into the drivers seat.
"Not from what I've heard."
Pan blanched.
"BRAAAA!!! I could have done without the mental imagery thankyoverymuch."
Bra leaned over and unlocked the door for Pan.
"Oh grow up! Sex is a natural and beautiful thing, and c'mon who doesn't want to talk about it?"
Pan raised her hand as she quickly got in the passengers side.
"Me!!! I don't want to talk about sex when it involves my uncle."
Bra snorted, starting up the engine and putting the car in reverse.
"I suppose you think I want to talk about my brother's sex life?"
Pan scowled and crossed her arms protectively over her chest.
"Aww c'mon not you too…. I thought only the media, your Mom and my Grandma were dead set on Trunks and me being together. Girls grow out of crushes Bra. I did a long time ago. Anyway, it's too much of a hassle. I mean, normal guys are scared of me, and the only strong men on this planet are: Trunks, Goten, Uub, Yamcha, Tien, My Dad, Vegeta and Krillin. I'm pretty sure that half of those matches are considered illegal in many countries."
Bra chuckled and waved to a car full of guys tooting at them.
"Geez Pan! I didn't know you were that touchy about it. You are gonna come back to CC, we'll get all done up, and lets see if we can't fix you up with a suitable man by the end of tonight."
Pan sighed in frustration.
"BRA! You haven't been listening to a word I've said have you? I don't need anyone!"
Bra looked over at her passenger with a slight scowl on her face.
"Huh?"
Pan rolled her eyes, and threw her hands up in frustration.
"Oh it doesn't matter!!! Just step on it Bra, show me what this thing can do."
Bra smirked and stepped down hard on the accelerator. The engine roared and the two young demi-saiyans disappeared into the night sky.
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Trunks stood dumbfounded staring at the plethora of rooms that made up Pan's apartment. He'd been dumped. Again. After a week of careful planning and deliberation, his very own sister had managed to ruin his night out with Pan. He sighed in defeat and ran a hand through his hair. He had wanted to do something really special for her tonight. Through all the years, she had been the only one that he could turn to with any problem. She had never judged, and was always there as a shoulder to lean on. Now it was his turn to play the confidant. He walked over to her desk and scanned the pictures of family and friends. He smiled and picked one up, examining it closely and grinning. It was a photo of Pan and himself at last year's Martial Arts tournament. They had both competed in the final match, of which Trunks had narrowly won. The photo was of Trunks holding Pan in his arms. One arm was underneath her knees, the other supporting her upper back. Despite looking like he had been hit with a mountain, he was grinning widely, as was Pan. She had one arm looped around his neck; the other made a peace sign at the camera. One of her eyes was half closed and there were cuts and bruises all over her face, but she was still laughing. Trunks couldn't help himself, he grinned remembering how much fun he had that day. No irritating meetings to attend, no boring people to entertain, and no need to act in front of people. Trunks' face slackened for a moment before tensing up again with steely resolve.
*I don't care if I have to lock Bra in her room, I'm going to celebrate with Pan the way I planned.*
He carefully replaced the picture back on Pan's desk and strode out the door. He locked the door and deactivated the Master override, before turning on his heel and running through the private corridors of Satan Inc. to the limousine waiting for him out back. As soon as he got in, he picked up the phone and used his speed dial.
"Hello, Barnes? Trunks Briefs here. Is everything prepared?…..Good, have everything packed and ready to go in a few hours….I hope so too. See you in a few days hopefully."
Trunks leaned forward and pressed the intercom button.
"Home please."
The chauffer smiled at him from the rear-vision mirror.
"Certainly sir. Estimated time of arrival, 40 minutes"
Trunks smiled and sat back in his seat, thinking about Pan's reaction.
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"NO WAY!!!"
Pan yelled as Bra flashed a tiny leather skirt in front of her face. Bra frowned as she slowly examined the article of clothing.
"I don't see what's wrong with it…It'd look pretty good on you."
Pan slowly backed away from her, her face displayed her terror.
"NO! Don't you have anything of the double leg variety? You know, pants…jeans? Anything?"
Bra turned and rummaged through her walk-in-robe for a couple of second before exclaiming in triumph.
"Ha-ha!"
Pan cringed as she poked her head around the corner. Bra held up a pair of black leather pants, for some reason they looked too small for Bra. Pan studied the pants carefully.
"Is that all you've got?"
Bra scanned the rest of the robe, but after a few seconds shook her head.
"Fraid so. Everything else would be too long for you, shortass. And I'm not about to let you hack into my designer jeans for one night's use. These were my favorite pair when I was younger. Grew out of them too quickly though!"
Pan appeared to contemplate the thought of wearing the 'oh-so-tight-leather-pants' before paling and running towards the door.
"You know, why don't I just borrow something of Trunks'? He's bound to have something more my style."
Bra's eyes widened and she dove to shut the door.
"Oh no you don't missy. Tonight, you're mine."
Pan sighed in defeat, and Bra gleefully threw the pants and a tank top at the younger girl. Pan examined the clothes in her hands and glared back up at her.
"Remind me, why am I friends with you again?"
Bra smirked as she rummaged through her suitcases.
"Because I'm the only creature on this planet that can put up with all your shit!"
Pan pouted and crossed her arms.
"What about you? You're much more effort to be around than anyone I know."
Bra grinned triumphantly and rested her hands on her hips.
"Yeah, but I bring energy to your otherwise drab lives. It's a hobby of mine."
Pan chuckled and walked into Bra's bathroom in order to get changed. Her friend was utterly mad, but she had to admit, life just would not be the same without her friend's quirkiness. Pan sighed as she looked at the outfit Bra had picked out for her. How she got herself into these things, she really didn't know. If only she had the ability to say 'no' to more people when they asked her to do things like this. Pan slipped her work clothes off and struggled with the clothes for a few minutes.
*Oh well, it's only one night. Surely I can go one night without seeing someone I know*
Pan gulped as she looked in the mirror. If she saw anyone she knew, she would never live down the shame. The pants were a perfect fit. Well, as perfect as leather pants could be. The tank top was tiny to say the least. It was blood red and had 'Royalty' scrawled across the front in white lettering. Pan frowned, for some reason she did not feel comfortable wearing the top. She always associated anything royal to Vegeta or Bra, not herself.
*Oh well, I'm doing this for Bra. I only see her a couple of times a year now, so I'd better make it worth her while.*
Despite loving Bra like a sister, Pan could not help but wish she could have talked to Trunks a little bit. He was like a big brother, only not. Pan found that strange. She saw Bra, Bulma and Vegeta as a second family, but not Trunks. There was some indiscernible quality that made him different from the rest of his family. Somehow Pan could not put her finger on what it was…….Or did not want to.
"PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNN!?!? Aren't you ready yet?"
The small demi-saiyan checked herself quickly in the mirror before hesitantly opening the door and stepping out to model in front of Bra. The older girl ran her eyes up and down Pan, taking in the effect of the costume. She smirked and kicked a pair of boots in Pan's direction.
"Here! Put these on, and my masterpiece will be complete."
Pan bent over, and tried as best as she could to put the boots on her feet. She cursed as the leather strained against her movement.
"I don't know how you expect me to dance in these. I can barely bend over."
Bra grinned evilly.
"That may be a good thing tonight."
Pan finished doing up her shoes and straightened up, glaring at Bra.
"I already told you, I don't want-"
Bra closed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know you don't want or need a guy at the moment. Neither do I. I just want to have a bit of fun. So grab your stuff, and lets get out of here."
Pan grabbed her cards, a couple of hundred in cash and her key and encapsulated them. Bra grabbed her purse and her car keys and both girls headed out towards the garage. When they got there, Bra threw Pan a separate set of keys to her own.
"Here! You should probably rock up separate to me, that way we'll draw less attention to ourselves. I'll take my car, and you can take the bike."
Bra gestured to a black sports bike in the corner of the garage. Pan's eyes glittered as she made her way around the new machine. When she got to the back she grinned in delight. Instead of having the usual "CCdemobike" on the number plates, it had 'P-chan' instead.
"I thought you'd like that! Since I'm not going to see you for another 6 months, I thought I'd give you an early birthday gift. The pants are yours too, as is that jacket and helmet sitting on the seat."
Pan turned from drooling over the bike and sprung towards Bra, knocking the taller girl over.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!"
Bra grinned at her best friend and patted Pan on the back.
"Okay Pan, you're getting my ass dirty. C'mon, we're late enough as it is."
Pan untangled herself from Bra and ran towards the bike, quickly throwing on the jacket and helmet. Bra chuckled as she raced to her car.
"Bet I can beat you there, Pan!"
Pan flipped up the visor on her helmet. There was a familiar glint in her eyes; she loved challenges.
"Oh really? I don't think so."
With that, Pan kicked the stand up and turned the keys in the ignition. Bra smirked and started her motor, staring defiantly over at Pan.
"Ready to lose?"
Pan laughed and revved the motor.
"Never!"
The sound of screeching tires broke through the peacefulness of the night, as the two girls sped towards Satan city.
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Trunks sat in his limo, struggling to remain awake. He had been up at 4:00am that morning training with his father, and he was now physically and emotionally drained. Just as he was about to doze off, Trunks was startled awake as the limo swerved off the road, and onto the edge of the road. Trunks looked out the window and spotted a bike, and what looked to be Bra's car screaming along in the opposite direction. Trunks grinned as he watched the figure on the bike showing off in front of his sister.
*Probably some guy trying to show off in front of my sister. I should probably check it out just in case.*
Trunks pressed the comm., and told the driver to continue back to CC without him. With that, Trunks opened up the sunroof, and flew out into the night sky. He could still make out the two figures zooming through traffic. The guy on the bike was really giving it to Bra. Trunks grinned. His sister was not going to like that. She was the biggest show-off that ever lived, and she certainly would not appreciate being outshone. Trunks zoomed down for a closer look. He studied the guy on the bike closely. Or was it a guy? Trunks strained his eyes to see. In the moonlight he could just make out a lithe figure sitting on what looked to be one of the new CC proto-types. Trunks frowned. Those models weren't supposed to be released for public sale until mid November, so what was this one doing on the streets? Trunks followed along for some time, the bike had pulled away in the traffic, dodging and weaving in between the traffic. Trunks continued to follow it. Eager to figure out whom the mystery rider was. After a few more minutes riding, the biker suddenly stopped at what appeared to be a nightclub. Trunks quickly descended from the sky to the side of the building, hoping that the night sky would give him adequate cover. He took off his jacket, tie and glasses, and ran around the corner trying to get a glimpse at the face of the skilled rider. People swarmed about the entry, lining up in hopes of getting in. Trunks strained to see over the masses of people. To his surprise he saw the rider out of the corner of his eye unzipping their jacket, and he realized that the rider was definitely female. Trunks ran his eyes over the mystery woman's body.
*Wow! She's hot.*
The woman pulled off the jacket, and placed it over the seat of the bike. She then lifted her hands to the bottom of the helmet, Trunks stared in anticipation.
"Trunks?"
He tore his eyes away from the entrancing figure, spinning to see who called his name. Standing in front of him was Bra. She had one hand on her hip, and her purse in the other.
"What are you doing here? You weren't following us were you?"
She glared at the nervous expression on Trunks' face.
"No, I was heading home when you and your sexy biker friend over there ran me off the road. By the way where's Pan? I need to talk to her for a moment. Did she go back to CC?"
Bra stared at Trunks incredulously; surely her genius brother could not be that thick! Could he? By the expression on Trunks face, he had not figured it out. She sighed and put a hand on Trunks' arm.
"Brother dear, try to locate Pan's Ki."
Trunks frowned and shut his eyes. Bra grinned as her brother's eyes snapped open.
"She's here?"
Bra nodded.
"Then the biker? That was Pan!?!?!?"
Bra smirked as Trunks' face turned interesting shades of red and purple. She placed an arm through her brothers, and tried to walk him to the entrance of the club.
"C'mon Trunks lets go find Pan, so you can tell her how damn 'hot' you think she is."
Trunks paled and dug his feet into the concrete, stopping Bra in her tracks. He grabbed both her wrists and held them out in front of her.
"You dare mention this to anyone, especially Pan, and I swear I'll resign and name you as successor to Capsule Corps."
Bra laughed but cut it short when she saw how serious he was.
"Fine! Don't get all worked up about it. It's not like you knew it was Pan or anything. Just calm down."
Trunks stared at her for a bit longer before letting both wrists go.
"Get in there, I'll follow you in a couple of minutes."
Bra grimaced and looked at her brother. He looked down right miserable.
"Trunks-"
He turned away and started packing up his things. Bra sighed and headed towards the front of the queue. She waved at the bouncer, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before being quickly let in. Trunks looked at the watch on his wrist, he'd give them five minutes before going in after them. Or would he? Trunks could not get the image of Pan out of his head, and it was ruining his plans. There was no way he could follow through with his plan now. Bra would completely take it the wrong way. Trunks sighed.
*What do I do now?*
Trunks ran a hand through his hair and rolled his neck around.
*Ahhh screw it, Pan's my best friend and most loyal confidant. If Bra wants to think something else is going on, let her think it. I don't care.*
Trunks smirked and grabbed his now encapsulated belongings. He strode up to the bouncer and shook him by the hand. The bouncer grinned. Three celebrities in the club at once, boy was this going to be good for business. He opened the door and Trunks strode towards the lights and smoke.
*Here we go.*
……….To be Continued?
Alright, I know that this one took a bit longer than I would have liked, but I have actually got it done. I apologize if this chapter seems a bit clichéd, I try to steer away from that where possible, but sometimes it is bound to happen. Again, I'd love any comments/compliments/complaints about anything at all. It helps me to improve my writing and usually helps your experience. If you have any ideas about what is going to happen next please comment, I'd love to see whether you guys are thinking along the same lines as me. ^_^ Once again, I'll try to get another chapter out in semi-decent time, but exams are approaching for me, so I may have to sacrifice some writing time to revise. Drop me a line if you want to know anything at all è saiyan_twinz@emailaccount.com.
What is Trunks planning? Will Pan enjoy it? And will saiyan-twinz ever get around to progressing with the plot? Find out next time on 'Breaking Through'