Night Shadows- Chapter 7

by Tanyaneko

Disclaimer: You already know I don't own it, I'm not making any money off it, and the characters aren't mine.

A/N: Sorry again that it took so long to get this one out. I had a slight case of writer's block. (Don't you hate that?) Anyway, thank you to Tom, Candy, fluffy, Saiyan Serpent, kristy, Kirrie, AMCM74, KinkySaiyan, V-chan, Jackie, Someone, TANYANEKO?!? (Hehe, don't worry people. I don't review my own fics. That was my cousin, she was over my house, and ff.net on my compy is pretty much set to my name. Also, by what she said, I meant that I hoped I hit 110 before I finished writing 7. I'm not one of those mean people who holds chapters! Eurgh, writer's block sucks enough by itself without adding evil chapter-hoarding-ness.) and O.o. 100 reviews… *sniffle* Thank you, thank you so much! Wow, I can hardly believe I'm finally on Chapter 7. Tell me what you all think about this one, people!

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"Ubuu! Hurry up or we'll be late for our double date with Trunks and Marron at the park!" Pan nagged her boyfriend.

He poked his dark head out of the kitchen, grinning good-naturedly, to gaze lovingly at her. "You know, Pan," he commented, "if you helped me, I'd get the sandwiches packed faster."

Pan shook her head, silky raven tresses flying. "You do it better." Besides, she added silently, I can't make Trunks jealous by telling him what a wonderful boyfriend you are for doing this all by yourself if I help you. She had no intention of ever allowing him to discover that it was all to make the lavender-haired man jealous. Sometimes, though, she felt that he knew anyway. And yet, he was still there with her, like a wonderful friend who stuck around because he knew she needed his help. She shook the feeling off. There's no way he knows. But she wasn't positive.

****At the park****

Trunks glared at Pan as she and Ubuu landed in front of him and Marron. "You're late."

"Sorry," Pan smirked. "We were busy. We were having so much fun we lost track of time."

Trunks' blue eyes darkened, and Pan's own eyes sparkled in reply, delighted that she was getting to him.

"Well, if he was a good boyfriend like you always say," Trunks snapped, "he would have remembered your responsibilities and gotten you here on time instead of getting caught up in whatever you were doing."

"At least he's not a prude like Marron," Pan retorted.

"Marron's not a prude!" He defended. "She's just innocent, that's all. She's not a cheap slut like you!"

Pan's eyes widened in shock. "What did you just call me?" Her aura glowed golden as her ki rose dangerously. "You have no right-"

"No right? I have no right? C'mon, Pan, I see you and Ubuu necking all over the place. It's only a logical conclusion that you two are doing it."

She just stared at him, hurt surprise evident. He should have known she wouldn't go and do something like that. He was practically her best friend, she thought he knew her-

"And then there was the way you threw yourself at me that night in your room."

Unbidden, the tears came. An angry flush rose to her damp cheeks, and her voice, steely ice though quavering, said, "Trunks, you knew I was going to wait. I thought you knew me better than to make assumptions like that." She stopped, and then added, "And never talk about that night in my room ever again. As far as I'm concerned, it didn't happen. And anything I said that night I didn't mean." With a final muffled, anguished sob, she took to the air and left.

Trunks stared after her, suddenly realizing how hurtful he'd been, when a memory came back to him- of him and Pan, when she'd been about fifteen.

"My parents made me promise to wait for the right guy before I sleep with anyone." She was smiling, proud of herself.

"I'm proud of you, Panny," he answered, beaming back down at her. "Maybe if I'd made that promise, my reputation wouldn't be so horrible."

She shook her head. "I don't think you're horrible, Trunks. And I'd never say anything bad about stuff like that to you."

"I'll never say anything like that to you, either, Pan. I know you'll never do anything that would ever give me reason to."

He shook his head, frowning, and feeling horrible, wretched, and low for what he'd just said. I'm sorry, Pan. I didn't mean it…

He stared longingly after her, wanting very much to follow, but not sure if Marron and Ubuu would be okay with it.

The blond girl smiled, and as if knowing what he was thinking told him reassuringly, "Go after her. Apologize."

Trunks nodded, thankful, and without another word, flew after Pan.

When the streaking light that was Trunks got farther away, Ubuu reached out to gently take Marron's hand.

"How much longer, Ubuu?"

"I don't know. I really don't like seeing them hurt each other like this."

"Why can't they just admit how they feel?"

"Pan did. She got hurt. Now she's pretending it doesn't matter and that it's all just a game."

"And Trunks is scared."

"We can only wait and help them. And hope that they don't find out."

"Part of me hopes that they do."

"We never know how they'll react, though."

She looked troubled by that, and he leaned down to give her a reassuring kiss.

Oooooh!!!!!! The plot thickens! As always, I want to know what you think!

~Tanyaneko