A/N:  I must admit to you guys that after this chapter, I only did one more.  I never continued writing the fic after that.  Some of you also already know that I never really cared for this story.  It's about 4 years old and there are a lot of errors, which I'm surprised a lot of you overlooked.  I'm a bit flattered that you guys enjoyed the story though.  That's why I'll consider writing the additional chapters necessary to complete the fanfic.  I'll take all your comments into consideration and make an effort to produce better chapters than those previously written (meaning 1 to 9).  All right, enough blabbering.  On to the fic!!!!!!!!!

Chapter 8: The Match-Ups?

I awoke to the sound of fighting downstairs. With sleep still in my eyes, I dragged myself to the training room to see what the racket was about.  I wasn't surprised to see dad in the training room again. He was training with Trunks.

"Good morning you guys," I yawned out.

They just acknowledged my presence and continued with their training.  I walked into the kitchen still half asleep to see mom sipping some coffee while reading the Saturday newspaper.

"Good morning sleeping beauty," my mom teased. "So are you ready for the World Martial Arts Tournament today?"

"I guess..." I replied a bit unsure.

"Before I forget, I got a message for you from Goten."

My eyes lit up at the sound of his name. Mom had now gained my full attention.

"What is it?" I asked.

"He said he'll see you at the Martial Arts Tournament later on today and for you to meet him at the registration area," My mom replied.

"Okay," I quickly commented running off before she could say anything else.

I threw on a pair of black gym tights and a short spandex top with a loose red t-shirt over it. I pulled my hair into a band then exited through my bedroom window. I left a note behind on my bed telling my mom and dad that I had left early for the tournament.

I arrived at the stadium 10AM. There was a large crowd already lined up to register. I rose to the air excitedly and began scanning the crowd for Goten.  I couldn't wait to see him again, to embrace him and maybe even express to him how I felt.  That's when I saw him standing by a palm tree near the registration booth patiently awaiting my arrival.

"Hey Goten."

Goten spun around surprisingly to acknowledge my presence.  "Oh it's you. I've been waiting for you about 30 minutes now.  Whereon earth had u been?"

"I got your message a bit late actually.  But I came here as fast as I could.  So are you participating in the Martial Arts Tournament also?" I asked.

"Uhhh.... yeah I am," he answered a bit hurriedly. "Bra, I asked u to meet me here because I had to deliver a message to you from my niece."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, she said she wouldn't be participating in the tournament anymore.  With regards to why she changed her mind, I don't know. You'll have to ask her yourself. Well, I'll see you later then..."

"Hey Valese," Goten called out to a cute brunette in the crowd. "Let's go."

"But Goten… wait…"
I watched as Goten strolled away disappearing into the crowd with that stupid tramp. I stood there feeling absurdly sorry for myself.

Ten minutes later, my mom, dad, Trunks, Goku, Piccolo and the rest of the Z Warriors came waltzing through the crowd.  All of us registered at the booth together and headed to a waiting room near the arena. There we met eight other fighters including Goten waiting to be paired up. The sight of Goten and that girl standing together immediately stirred up anger and sadness within me. As a result, I excused myself from the room for a while.

I walked up some stairs to a spectator room specially provided for Pan's family and friends, courtesy Mr. Satan. There I saw Pan sitting in a chair near an opened window gazing at the over enthusiastic crowd.  I pulled a chair next to her.

"Oh Bra, you startled me," Pan cried.

"Sorry," I apologized. "I thought you weren't coming to the tournament?"

"Actually I really wasn't planning on coming, but I changed my mind at the last minute. Plus, I wanted to see u fight," she replied cheerfully.  "I won't miss that for the world."

"How sweet of you,"  I commented a bit carelessly.  Not really the person I truly wanted to care.

"So what's the matter?" Pan asked inquisitively.

"Is it that obvious that I'm upset?"

"Yes, I can see that something is bothering you," she replied. "I know it's not any of my business but, does this have anything to do with my dumb ass uncle Goten? You can deny it all you want Bra, but I know you have feelings for the guy. Too bad you had to be another one of those girls to fall into his trap..."

"His trap?" I cut in nervously.

"Um... have you forgotten one of the first things I told you when you came back to Earth. Goten has a lot of girlfriends and I'm sorry to say that he doesn't know when to limit himself sometimes. Girls for some reason, just can't get enough of him... even when they know what they're getting themselves into."

Before I realized it, tears were already flowing from my eyes. Pan stared at me comfortingly.  "You make him sound like he's some sort of player or something.  Do you actually think so lowly of your uncle?"

"Look, I wasn't trying to be mean or anything but I guess as the saying goes -the truth hurts- ," Pan said while hugging me.

Feeling embarrassed, I dried my tears with the palm of my hands hurriedly and pulled away from Pan's concerned grasp.

"I'm sorry," I apologized. "This isn't like me."
I got up and headed towards the stairway.
"Cheer me on okay."

Pan walked over towards me.  "Of course i will," she said smiling eagerly.

"Oh and Bra, believe it or not, but my dumb ass uncle has feelings for you too. He's just too macho to actually do something about it."

I turned around and smiled at her naughtily.  "Actually he did do something about it. We both did... some time ago..."

"Umm... I don't know if I'm analyzing that comment correctly," Pan said awkwardly. "but umm...are you saying you and Goten... you know... slept together?"

I gave her a look of contentment that quenched her suspending curiosity.

"Are u serious?"

"Sure am," I replied. "It happened three weeks ago.. we had spent the night together in my bedroom..."

"Next up, Bra!!" the referee announced.

"I guess it's my turn to choose a number," I supposed.

"But..."

"I'll tell u all about what happened tomorrow," I yelled behind me while I continued walking down the steps.

I ran elatedly to choose my number and was paired against Piccolo to fight in the second round.  However, my smiles of excitement soon turned to puzzlement as I heard Trunks and Goten bickering in the participants' room.

"I told you if you hurt my sister's feelings that I'd kick your ass!!!"  Trunks thundered while groping Goten at the collar.

"But Trunks… hold up man, I..."

"You what!"

"Trunks stop!!!" I screamed cutting them both off.

Trunks dropped Goten to the floor guiltily and just stood there.

"The two of u are disqualified!" the tournament committee shouted.

I looked at both Trunks and Goten sadly, then ran out of the stadium.

"Bra waitttt!" Goten shouted behind me. "Waittttttt!"

I just kept on going.