The Meaning of Love

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ. Need I say more? O_o

Chapter Three ^_^

Pan slowly undressed shyly. She was glad that the lady had turned her back. It had been a while since Pan had been pampered. She didn't miss it, yet, she didn't feel like neglecting it either. She slowly slipped into the water, and hissed as searing pains shot through her back. She slowly sank into the steaming water, and her muscles immediately relaxed.

She let out a breathe, and rubbed her sore muscles.

"What relation do you have to my son?"

The abrupt question took Pan by surprise. "I beg your pardon m'lady?"

Bulma turned around, holding a soft lavender kimono with white cherry blossoms embroidered into it. "I'm apologize for my rudeness. I'm Bulma. The Lady of this house. And Trunks is my son. Soon to be the clan leader. Now tell me. How is it that you know my son?"

"Well," Pan bit her bottom lip. "I was out tending to the gardens one day, and I just happened to have heard something coming from behind me. When I turned around, I found Atien crawling away, and so I followed. Somehow, Atien led me to Trunks. I tended his wounds in secret, until he was healed. How Atien found him, I'll never know."

Bulma's eyes narrowed in confusion. "But why did you have to tend to his wounds in secret?"

Pain flashed across Pan's eyes. Tears brimmed her onyx orbs, as she relived her memories.

"I'm sorry Pan. I didn't mean to prod. But when you're ready, perhaps I can tend to your wounds that cannot heal by themselves ok?"

"Thank you Lady Bulma." Pan rose out of the water, and began to pull on the first layers of the kimono. She had just finished the first, when the door to the hot springs burst open.

"DON'T ANSWER ANY OF HER QUESTIONS!" Trunks panted, and Atien stared confused from his view on Trunks's shoulders.

Pan squeled in surprise, and pulled the second robe tighter around her body. Trunks panted, and rested his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breathe. Bulma stared at her son bewildered. Her eyes clouded over.

"Have you no respect for a lady's privacy? I thought I taught you better Trunks!"

"What are you……" Trunks raised his head, and his eyes lay on Pan. "I-I-I thought that….." He couldn't mutter a thing. Pan was stunning. The kimono brought out her curves, and the lavender brought out her onyx colored eyes. His eyes met hers. Her shock started to disappear. During this moment, Bulma took the opportunity to leave the room unnoticed t give them their space.

"Ummm….Trunks, could you…." Pan started, and Trunks snapped out of his trance.

"Right! Sorry!" And he turned to leave.

Suddenly, Atien began to wail. Pan dashed across the room without doing up the rest of her kimono. The white layer clung to her wet body, slightly transparent. Trunks handed Atien over to Pan. Startled at his sudden outburst.

"Shhhhh." Pan soothed as she held him in her arms. "It's okay. I'm here now. Shhhhh."

"Ummmm…. Maybe sing to him?" Trunks suggested. In truth, he wanted to hear her voice. There was no way that an angel like her could not sing.

Pan looked up. "You think?" Trunks shrugged. She opened her mouth, and a melody started to flow from her pink lips. "Kaze ga yoseta kotoba ni, oyoida kokoro,

Kumo ga hadobu ashita ni, hazunda koe, tsuki ga yureru kagami ni, furueta kokoro, hoshi ga nagare koboreta, suteki da ne, futari te wo tori aruketa nara, ikitai yo, KIMI no machi ie ude no naka." Slowly, Atien was lulled to sleep.

Trunks smiled gently. He was right. She really could sing. She really was an angel. 'What am I thinking? I am a warrior. I should think no such thoughts until I am certain that I want her to be my wife. But, maybe I am certain.'

Pan winced as the pain in her back returned. She swayed slightly, but Trunks had caught her, and she leaned on him for support. She smiled up at him, and the sat down against the wall. He held her gently in his arms, and she to was pulled into the world of dreams. Forgetting that she was only half dressed.

*_* Shadows *_*

He stood watching her. The baby had sensed his presence. Now he understood how she had always escaped his grasp. The child could some how sense him. Sense danger it self.

'You can't be safe forever Pan. Once that child is gone, you will be mine, and together, we shall dominate all of Japan.'

A black streak could be seen, and then, he was gone.

^_^ Trunks and Pan ^_^

Trunks was just about to fall asleep to, but then the doors to the bathing room, burst open, and a furious blonde stood at the doors. Her blue eyes were livid. Livid with anger, and hatred. Her eyes darted around the room, and finally landed on him, and Pan who's head had drooped to his shoulder.

"TRUNKKKKKSS!!!!!!!!!" she screeched, and in his arms, Pan began to awaken.

Atien woke up as well, and once again began to wail. Pan sat up abruptly, and bounced Atien slightly in her arms whispering things into his ear trying to calm him. But the girl with blonde hair seemed to disturb him. The closer she got, the harder Atien cried. Soon, his screams were echoing through the halls of the manor.

"Marron!" Trunks yelled. "What are you doing?" Trunks stood, and pulled Pan up against his chest out of instinct.

Pan yelped in surprise, and turned to face him. Trying to push away, but he ignored her, and held fast. "Trunks, what are you doing?" No matter what she said though, a warm feeling arose in her stomach, and the feeling of security surrounded her. Even Atien's crying had grown to small sobs. So instead, she relaxed into his arms, and lay her head on his chest. Be sides, standing on her own was bringing the pain back to her back.

Marron's glare pierced the back of her head. "Trunks, who is this imposter?!"

"Hold your tongue Marron. This is Pan, and she is under my care."

"Oh? Is that all? Because if that is, it still doesn't explain her state of dress! Trunks there's no more need to cover up for this whore. It's okay baby. I like you just as much as you like me. We can be together. We'll go behind your father's back. He'll never know."

"Marron, if you like me as much as I like you, then you must really want to kill me right now. And what I do, or who I spend time with is none of you business. I suggest you leave, before I go over there, and personally beat the crap out of you."

Marron glared one final time at Pan, and then left. She was not very happy at the moment. She stomped out of the room, and slapped the doors together.

"Trunks?" Pan finally whispered. The girl looked like a real bitch. 'Just great. One more person who wants my head on a silver platter.'

"Yes Pan?" he finally loosened his grip on her small form.

"Ummm….could you take Atien so I could finish dressing?" a red line ran across her face as the blood rushed to her cheeks.

Trunks blushed. "Sure." He mumbled.

Pan slowly walked over, and finished slipping the rest of the layers on. She now wore a light lavender kimono with white cherry blossom outlines embroidered into it. The silk felt cool against her skin. She picked up a pair of black hair chopsticks, and weaved her hair up into a bun.

She turned around and smiled a weak smile. "Done."

Trunks turned around, and returned the smile. His face cast a worried look as pain flashed in her eyes. "How's your back?" he asked walking over to support her again.

"Okay. Do you have any yak milk? Atien looks a little hungry."

Trunks looked surprised. "Well why don't you…..ummmm…I mean…"

"Breast feed him?" A twinkle made its way to Pan onyx eyes. "That would be wrong. He should not be fed like that by any one but his mother."

"But aren't you?"

"No." Her voice became hard. She closed her eyes, and seemed to be counting to ten. "Not to be rude Trunks, but…..I'm rather hungry, and…."

"Oh!" Trunks had just realized that she'd been asleep for two days, and she must be hungry. "Right sorry. Let's go back to your room, and we'll see what I can do k?"

Pan tried to smile, but a troubled look lay firm in her eyes. Trunks shifted Atien to rest on his other shoulder. His brow furrowed in worry. 'I've just met her… yet I feel the strongest of urges to protect her. Father will not be happy.' "What bothers you Pan?"

"Trunks, who was that girl?"

He sighed, and they started to walk side by side. "Well… that was Marron. She and I used to be engaged. But…well, things didn't quiet turn out. She was caught with another man. She was supposed to hung, but…I couldn't allow it. Now I wish I had. Ever since she'd been pestering me. Trying to get me to 'love' her, but I don't. To tell you the truth, she angers me more than anyone I know."

Pan stared at the ground. "I'm sorry for nosy, but, I was wondering….do I not need to meet the Lord of this manor? Is it tradition?"

"Oh you will, in time, but he's not quiet what you would call….gentlemanly. He's rather…cold, but warm on the inside." He paused. A question still lay unanswered, and he yearned to ask it. "Pan, you said Atien was not your child right?"

Pan nodded. Her face becoming paler. "Yes. Why do ask?"

"Then…where is his mother? His father, and how did end up with him? Or why are not with your family?"

Pan's eyes clouded over. "His parents are dead. I am the only family he has. We may blood related, but…he is my brother none the less. As for my family, I have none. I do not deserve to have one. I…" tears brimmed in her eyes as her heart, and soul was forced to relive the memory. "I was…"

Trunks stopped. He wrapped his unoccupied arm around her. "Pan… if it is painful to relive your life, then do not. I do not want to see you cry. For some unkown reason, I care for you already as a good friend."

She smiled at him. He slid open the door to her room, and motioned for her to enter. She sat on the bed, and slowly eased herself into a laying position. She sighed contentidly. Trunks placed Atien in a large basket full of blankets. It would have to do for now. He couldn't sleep with Pan, for he might have damaged her wounds further.

There was a knock on the door. Trunks sighed. Would he never get to be alone with Pan? "Come in." he said in a bored voice.

A servant girl walked in, and bowed low. "M'lord," she said in a high voice. She had yet to reach puberty. She was no older than the age of 14. "The High Lord wishes to meet the girl at dinner. He told me to tell you that she is to come alone."

"Very well."

As the girl left, he turned back to Pan, but already, she had fallen victim to the warm sheets. Turning to Atien, he was about to say, "Well it's just you and me," but discovered the babe asleep as well. Sighing, he walked out the door, wondering what Vegita had in mind for Pan. It was rare that he wanted to see someone. Especially alone.

^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^

UUUmmmmmmmmm …..Hi. yeah. Sorry this chap was a lil late…..okay like a whole week late, but the thing is, my best best best friend just moved, and I've sort of been taking it a little hard. After all, we were sort of like sisters, but any who, thanks to the following people.

bitten by the kitten~ ^_^ glad u like. what do you think of this chapter?

Amy85~ sorry this was such a late update! _* my best friend (who's like a sis to me) moved sooo....more depression. -_-'

Trupan~ Well, I didn't leave u hangin this time did I? ^_^ happy? no cliffy, so now it's okay to wait a lil longer for an update!

Adobo-chan~ I speak to walls to. And to stuffed animals. They'll tell me if ur spyin on me! but ne who, hoped u liked this chap!

ladybugg~ thanks. u know, i never thought real life had this much drama. but now, my best friend, (practically my sis) just moved to london. -_-' more depression. ne who, hope u liked. this chap was 4 u. keep writing. ur good.

Blu Kaos~ cool way to spell ur name! ^_^ wish i were that creative. hope u liked this chap!

v son saiyan~ well, some questions have been answered. all that's left is about ten other questions. _* ' hehehehe......

snug~ yeah i guess, but to me...that would sort of made plain, n undetailed. hope this chap was betta ne? sorry it took so long to update, but i have my reasons.

RisikaShardae~ well, here's ur other chap. don expect me to update to soon. depression gets to u.

miky~ wrote some more for ya! but won't be writing more for a while. T_T wish i had less home work! -____-

So till next time.....just chill. BB! ~_*