AN: YEEEEEEEEK!!! *Squeals uncontrollably!* 45 reviews and counting!! Thank you everyone *sniff* I never thought anyone would like TFRA that much. ^_^. To let you readers know school has started for me *eck!* and I won't have as much time to work on TFRA but I will try my best to update weekly or biweekly. Thanks! (pss reviews help inspire me^_~)
Thank you lots Starlight for this chapter's quote!
Oh and I realized bijin isn't one of the more common words you see and I need to explain. bijin- a beautiful woman. Roughly translated as babe but it's still acceptable in formal speech and is not truly disrespectful. Also konoyaro- @$$hole. Umm the whole Saika part of the equation will come into play and be explained later.
El Colibrí fue muy cómico!
Cool Boogie!
-Mizuko
Chapter12- Just Open Your Eyes
"Are you okay?" Violent shaking wrenched Trunks free of the odd pointlessly weird dream. Pan face appeared before his sleepy vision. So beautiful...
"Trunks? Thank goodness your okay." She was "sitting" next to the bed, fully dressed in her usual gray uniform. A touch of worry painted on her brow. She shouldn't worry, her smile was much nicer the way her eye lit up they lit up the same when she was flustered and angry. Of course he would never say that.
"You were worried about me? I'm touched."
"Don't be. I was merely concern that'd I'd have to haul you heavy carcass to the infirmary my self." she huffed as he groggily sat up. "Now if you don't mind I've missed breakfast and I've got other things to do than baby sit." She was nervous and looked a little uncomfortable. He smirked a little, making her squirm.
"Then by all means go, let me not detain you a second longer."
"I would if you'd let go of me."
Still a little dazed he looked at her and noticed that she was not really sitting but floating. Legs crossed a small amount of sweat accumulated on her forehead. She must have been meditating again. 'She must have a hard time concentrating. Is it because of me? Not likely'
Also, he notice a certain traitorous appendage wrapped around her curled around her wrist the tip of it twitching back and forth in a contented fashion. 'Traitor!' he scolded it, releasing Pan. As if to show it's own annoyance, it thumped loudly against the mattress. Pan's eyes went wide with fascination. Trunks watched Pan; amused by the curious way she watched his tail, her beautiful dark eyes following its movements. Like...like she had never watched her own tail before. He couldn't seem to remember seeing hers...
"You don't have a tail?" Trunks asked though it was more of a statement than a question.
"No." she didn't seem upset (or inclined to speak further about it) or shamed by it and she wasn't weakened by her tailless ness as most saiya-jin were. Interesting. If Pan was able to hit and bruise (just slightly) the prince of Beijita-sei without a tail, he wondered how strong she would be with one. Certainly the fiery she-demon would be a force to reckon with then. And make an awesome sparring partner.
~What kind of sparring were we thinking about, eh? ~
'Shut up, you'
"What's having a tail like?" the question stopped him from have another pointless conversation with himself. 'It's like having a little traitor suck to your butt all but flashing neon signs of my every emotion'
"Like another arm." he answer relieved to know she wouldn't know some of the more subtle tail signs.
"What are they for? Seem like nothing but a weakness in a fight. All someone would have to do was pull on it..."
"You mean you don't know, Bijin?"
She snarled at the new name, "Don't you dare call me that! Or do you really want me to knock your lights out so soon after waking up." She snapped, brutally reminding them both why he was here in the first place. She smirked gingerly. He growled not liking being reminded of that particular weakness; still he played it off standing up slowly. "Well if you're going to do that the same way I suppose I wouldn't mind. Though how anyone can stomach seeing such a body is beyond me."
She only smirked knowing he didn't mean that.
"Actions speak louder than words," the delightful look on her face was as priceless as it was frightening, "and if I remember correctly you were the speechless one. You talk the talk Boxer boy but you can't walk the walk."
'What walk? What's she talking about, must be another human saying.'
"Whatever Bijin."
He dodged the following punch.
"I said don't call me that." She meant it this time.
"Fine. I like Utsukushii better anyways." he said quickly exiting. A millisecond later...
Wham!
He looked at the wall, a dent could be seen right at jaw level the size of a fist poking out. Had he been just a few inches closer to the wall she'd have-
Warning! Ship approaching on collision course! Warning! Ship approaching on collision course!
He stood there for half second (long enough for Pan to poke her head out of her room) before dashing off to the bridge.
**********************
Nyaane stared in horror as soldiers ransacked her childhood forest. The giant great wood trees and prestigious Bin'Ro were burning and falling. Flocks of her people could be seen fleeing to the skies...and being shot down from their haven. Her husband's clan had been completely annihilated already.
The House of Linyarii of The Thariinye Clan was the last strong hold against the alien invaders who descended upon their world with out warning or provocation. But it was fruitless the aliens came with intense anger fear and hatred that assaulted any Neg'Vah who got close. The only advantage the Neg'Vah had now was their ability to fly at higher altitudes where the tops of the great wood trees touched the heavens where A'Drai had stopped shining her light the sky was so think with smoke.
The smart ones took cover in the dense branches of what great wood trees were left, unfortunately because of their unique hair coloration and wings they stood out and could easily become sitting targets.
Nyaane focused her mind this was her family's Bin'Ro tree, the tree in which her house had lived in for generations it was the largest and oldest, her house be the leader of the Thariinye Clan. She needed to get inside to reach her personal speeder, much like her brother's Daalphi. The problem was getting lower with out being spotted. There was an entrance hole about 20 meters below with almost no cover from the branches and another on the opposite side on the trunk but most of the alien troops were on that side and she had more chance of being shot. Nyaane had no fear of dying and would have stayed and defended her planet till the very end along with Khleevi of the first house of Fareeli, her husband, who died to give her a chance to escape.
A pain in her chest and emptiness in her mind rushed her and -No now was not the time to think about him or his sacrifice would be in vain.
Looking down the invader were setting fire to her Bin'Ro! It was now or never. She crawled to the middle of the branch she had been hiding on. She could see the entrance from her position. The aliens began to fire! Nyaane fell from the branch like rock. The enemy fire ceased, after all who'd waste their fire on a dead bird?
She waited till the last second to open her wings like a parachute and neatly glide into the entrance. The place was already becoming filled with smoke. Taking a quick look around she immediately knew what level she was on and knew that she was three way from where she needed to be; the top.
Nyaane had a feeling of foreboding the entire time she rushed to the top. The feeling made her speed up over steps and tunnels she knew like the back of her hand. Smoke began to cloud her visions and her lungs as she went higher.
For Khleevi's sacrifice, for the sake of their unborn child she had to survive.
**************
Naav eyes widened slightly, when he arrived at the bridge he was the last there. Pan and Trunk had taken the pilot and navigation seats and Goten the captain's chair while the Ambassador and the blue haired saiya-jin stood behind him. But that wasn't what surprised the stoic Neg'Vah. The main screen showed The Reliance being pulled along helplessly by a ship much larger and far more advanced. Having been raised to be leader of his clan Naav knew the insignia and markings on the side of the larger vessel. He also knew the pain and suffering the ones behind that symbol had caused to his family and hundreds of others.
Pan suddenly slammed her hand down on her controls, growling in frustration. "It's no use! We can't even budge!"
Thank A'Drai he had worked on his mental shield for most of the morning he certainly didn't want to feel that, the look on her face alone was enough to kill. He silently placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and her shoulders relax though the expression on her face didn't budge.
"Calm down Pan, It wouldn't do to much good anyways there are two more ships flanking this one. We'd be shot even if we could." the prince said.
"I recognize that ship." he stated so the others could hear. Goten looked at him to continue.
"That ship belongs to the Consulate of Ewajima or more specifically Reenye their leader and the one responsible for the problems there."
"Then what is this thing tha- Pan's question was cut short by the appearance of two people on the main screen. One was obviously a saiya-jin from Beijita-sei and the other a human form the Hitohi army. Their different styles in uniform told him that much.
The saiya-jin wore a cruel grin one his face.
"Well, I don't suppose your father will be hear of us now, Hybrid."
"I'll have your head for this you disrespectful cur! I demand you release us at once T'kal!" the prince snarled in a frighteningly cold voice laced with deadly anger. It was then that Naav realized just how dangerous the prince could be, after seeing his sister knock him down a peg or two the other day he hadn't thought much of the odd looking saiya-jin. But even his mental barriers couldn't completely block out the rage held coolly at bay. The rage seemed to make him stronger... The lavender haired one seemed ready to carry out this threat with more willingness than need be.
Perhaps this was the reason his people consider them barbaric; fortunately the ambassador tried a different approach.
"Release this ship and we will forgive this oversight in protocol."
The human blanched at the ambassador and Goten but the saiya-jin didn't bat an eye.
"I don't take orders from hybrids," T'kal spat not taking his eyes off the prince, "Or their Hitohi lap dogs."
For the second time in less than ten minutes Pan slammed her hand down on her consul, "I'd tell you to go somewhere but not even the devil would want your company, you disgusting waste of oxygen and space!"
**************
Trunks inwardly winced at Pan's insult, glad he wasn't at the receiving end one that one. T'kal didn't like that one little bit, the traitor looked as if he wanted to blast the Reliance right then and there.
The admiral interrupted before T'kal could explode, "Charming, " he gave Pan a long searching look. Trunks felt embers of rage brush his mind again, (partially leftover from Naav daring to openly lay a hand on her.) He would have liked to blast that insignificant human for even batting an eye in her direction! We just called to let you know we have blocked out your communication and have a firm hold on your ship. You are surrounded. Any attempts in escape will result in failure. Consular Reenye and Master Freiza will be please to have such distinguished guests. Dead or alive."
The screen went blank.
Trunks checked where their present course was heading, Ewajima. And fast too, the ship that was pulling them far exceeded their travel technology.
Why now? Why there? If only he'd been in here a few moments earlier.
"Do you know who this Freiza guy is?" he heard Goten ask Naav.
"No, but I assume he is the one behind all this."
"Damn with this delay Gohan will definitely be on Beijita-sei before us." Great. More complications.
"What about escape, there must be something we can do." as much as he wanted to pound those two into ashes, escape was the best plan. Though Trunks had no doubt In his mind that he, Goten or Goku could defeat T'kal, they needed to reach Beijita-sei ASAP to at least make sure that Gohan and Vegeta didn't fight.
"Did anyone check for escape pods?" Bra inquired, hand resting on Goten's arm.
"I did." Pan said looking at the blank main screen, " But someone has to stay behind and cause a distraction...." Pan said scanning the room assessing it occupants. Her gaze was the most calculating he'd seen from her thus far. 'What are you up to Utsukushii?'
"I'll do it." Trunks said before anyone else, "T'kal has insulted the royal house for too long. The rest of you are needed on Beijita-sei."
His tone brooked no room for argument; he kept a careful eye on Pan expecting her to object. She was strangely complacent.
"Alright then lock and load people let's move out!" Goten instructed, herding Bra and a reluctant looking Naav out of the bridge. Goku lingered behind, watching Pan as well. The older saiya-jin gave him a 'watch her' look. Trunks nodded, he wasn't the only one to notice Pan's sudden quiet. Goku exited the bridge leaving
"Come on Utsukushii."
He followed her out of the bridge
"Let me stay Trunks. I can distract them." She said.
The last one off the ship would have a higher risk of getting recaptured or shot down, and they both knew it.
"We are not going to argue about this. What's the point? We'll both end on Beijita-sei anyways"
"Alright fine. Just let me get my locket real quick," she said ducking into her room. He only had to wait a minute before she came out wearing it. He led the rest of the way towards the escape pods. Later, looking back on this day that was probably one of the biggest mistakes he'd made.
Upon arriving he found four of the five pods already filled and their occupants asleep. In front of him was the open and ready coordinates already set. Four of the five pods.... Five pods six people...th- Pan tapped his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," she whispered suddenly grabbing the back off his neck and kissing him fiercely. For a moment he was too shocked to do anything. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, crushing her petite body against his and returned the kiss with a fierce intensity. Dreams were no comparison to the real thing. The passion in the kiss didn't disappear but became more tendered. Slowly (reluctantly) they both broke the kiss. Trunks was left dazed more or less. His mouth worked to say something and after a moment or to finally say. " I hope you weren't sorry about that."
A strange smile twitched at the corner of her mouth.
He was suddenly ripped away form Pan as she shoved him roughly into the escape pod and shutting it before he could react, already the sleepy gas began to seep in. 'Why-' There were only five pods. 'There's no way Pan can defeat T'kal by herself!' An image of a bloody and broken Pan flash through his mind.
"Dammit, Pan! Open this thing up!" he yelled at her through the glass-like window of the pod. 'Stupid girl! what's she thinking?, she'll get herself killed.'
He could fell the gas taking affect, making him incredibly sleepy and unable to do anything, but glare angrily at her.
"Sorry Trunks. You needed on Beijita-sei more than I am, I bet my dad is already there." she paused briefly, "And don't you even think of coming after me or I swear I'll kill you myself! I can take care of myself, Trunks! They'll regret the day the made an enemy of Son Pan!"
He cursed himself for letting Pan catch him off guard. How could she do this!? He should have stayed behind her. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to her now. Nor would her father he thought privately. He scowled at her determined dark eyes even as his began to flutter closed and unconsciousness over took him.
*****************
Gohan was lead quickly to the throne room of Beijita-sei's palace. Not that it was necessary he could feel Vegeta's ki from the moment they landed.
Apparently his arrival had caused more of an upset than he had wanted. But it served the same purpose he would find Goten and take Pan home (after inflicting serious bodily harm for bringing her here in the first place.)
The throne room was huge with elaborate carmine marble wall and giant columns. A long red carpet leading up to the dais and throne where King Vegeta of the Saiya-jin Empire sat. There was a second smaller throne beside it, empty of course. It reminded Gohan too much of that day and why she wasn't here beside him, now. He would not lose his only daughter to this place as well.
He and Vegeta hadn't spoken since that day twenty years ago. Vegeta hadn't changed much physically, quite small for a saiya-jin, but his size was compensated by his strength and cunning. A ruthless adversary in combat and in war. His hair was still in gravity deifying spikes, straight up with the infamous widows peak common among saiya-jins. He wore blue uniform standard of Saiya-jin Empire, but his armor bore the royal insignia.
"Guards! Leave us!" Vegeta commanded stepping down from the throne. There was a moment of silence as the two saiya-jin cautiously regarded each other.
"Why are you here?" Vegeta asked bluntly skipping any and all formalities and preamble. (If he ever actually used any)
"You know why I'm here. Where is my daughter Vegeta?
"Your daughter?" the king repeated rising an eyebrow.
"Feigning ignorance doesn't suit you, Vegeta. Where is she?"
The older saiya-jin's scowl darkened but he other wise ignored the comment.
"I should be asking you where my son is at."
"Your son?" The prince of Beijita-sei was missing as well?
"For almost two months now." So that's why there have been no resent attacks. Wait "Pan's been missing for roughly the same time."
There was a second of thoughtful silence Both leaders thought along the same lines.
"You do think..." No, that can't be right. You're getting all upset for nothing. Pan was traveling with a friend of Goten's. The fact that he never got the name of that supposed friend nagged the edges of his mind, "She would never associate with-"
"Nor would my flesh and blood. With your kind" The saiya-jin king spat with cool confidence.
"I have no idea where your son is, but my brother said he was heading here along with the ambassador and my daughter. They should have been here by-
A guard, running in and quickly bowing before his king interrupted Gohan.
"My lord a message form Elite Saika, the Prince has been located. On the space station Zion."
Pan and Goten...
"What's that boy doing there?!"
The solider faltered and the king sudden flare of anger.
"H- he didn't say. By he was in the company of a young lady..."
Gohan was sure it was someone else, billions of women be with the Prince, but also a small sinking feeling that one could be Pan.
"Are you suggesting my son is gallivanting about for such trivial non-sense?"
"No! No Sire."
"Good now get out of my sight." The guard left and Vegeta turned to him. "I'll give you three days. If the brat isn't here by then I want you off my planet."
************
Pan sagged when she was sure he was asleep, he would probably hate her now. 'Whatever, it wasn't as if we were buddy buddy in the first place.' she tried to shrug it off. Tried. But that look... That look in his eyes had made that crystal clear. Absently her fingers traced her lips.
She shook her head; she had things to do, a distraction to make, chaos to cause and ships to blow up.
She set the pods to launch in one minute thirty seconds.
"Alright, let's make some noise!"
She sped back to the bridge and manually targeted the two unsuspecting warships behind theirs. Fools they were to not have their defenses up when in the presence of an enemy ship, even a captured one. They didn't have time to rectify their mistake as Pan shot two beam cannons straight into the other ships. Due to the lack of air in space she could not hear the implosion but she most certainly felt the shockwaves, tossing both the Reliance and her captor ship. The others would be gone by now and T'kal and Menneth would surly be hopping mad by-
T'kal's face appeared in front of her on the main screen. For a second Pan wavered under the saiyajin's murderous glare, subconsciously wishing Trunks was there to back her up, wondering how he always seemed so calm and cool in these situations. Pan grit her teeth and stood her ground. She never needed help before and she certainly didn't need any now.
"Oops. My finger must have slipped."
"Wench! You'll pay for this!" He paused for a moment, glancing at something off screen. "This can't be right! She can't be the only person on that ship!." T'kal turned back to her mad as a hornet. "You will pay for this Wench-"
She snorted to further irritate him. "And you'll be the one to do that I suppose. Well I haven't anything to worry about then. Even a baby would have known not too leave an enemy ship armed."
"You insult my intelligence-"
"How observant." she spat.
T'kal snared. "That's it. That's the last straw! I've heard enough of your tongue. It's high time you learned your place girl."
******************
Jonathan B. Witman, aka Ace. Graduate with top honors from the Space Force division of the Hitohi army now Wing Commander of the 45th fighter squadron. The brown haired gray-eyed man gave a chuckle as his wing mates whooped and cheered as the last remaining Blue fighter was destroyed.
"Good shootin' sir!" his co-pilot, Spade cheered.
"Did ya see that? I took out one with only one torp!"
"Yeah right! I did a 180 and put two seekers down his tail pipe."
There 45th two youngest pilot's bickered the two Medici brothers known as the Crazy 8's for their crazy, stupid and juvenile moves which were more likely to get them kill then actually work as they mysteriously did.
"Baloney!"
"Settle down you two knuckleheads we kin all celebrate a'ter we report back ta base" Jack's mellow voice carried over the radio. His tone didn't fool him as it had the youngsters. Old Jack's smile practically blasted over the frequency. Jack was the oldest and most experienced member of the 45th.
"Ok, 45th let's move out!" Ace said signaling time to leave; the others fell into formation. "We're going home!"
"YEAh! Drinks are on us!" Club whooped from the rear. Club was one of his squad's bombers. Excellent marksman, and weapon specialist.
"Us?" questioned the last member of the group.
"Aww but sweetums. Sugerbear, honeybunch. Please..." Snickers could be heard over the radio.
"Oh alright, just tonight though." The other bomber and last member of the 45th, Diamond conceded to her husband's plead.
"All right come on let's get moving I want to be in before the mess hall rush." He told them with a chuckle. They were a crazy bunch, tough to get used to at first. But now they were like a second family.
Pan would have loved them.
***************
Quotes of the day:
Life is not measured by the breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away-Unknown
"Absence diminishes small loves and increases great ones, as the wind blows out the candle and fans the bonfire."
- Francis Duc de la Rochefoucauld
From the reviewers:
To do something kind for someone you will one day be repaid.
-Unknown
****************
Mizuko's answering machine: Gone fishing.
Just kidding! Finally things start to get interesting! Now we have one more variable in the equation; Ace.
What's this guy got to do with anything? Gohan and Vegeta don't seem too happy. I wonder how they'll react when-
Oops I can't spoil the story. Heheh….
Please leave a review after the tone!