Disclaimer – Same as usual
A/N: Hi! coolkitty2 here! I'm really sorry guys, I'm trying to update as soon as I can…but you guys end up waiting like a week or more…and I get the feeling like some are losing interest in the fic…I apologize… (V.V) I have so much work to do and stuff…but I'll try really hard for you guys okay? So, for the people who have stayed with this fic even though I haven't been updating in a while: Thanx so much! I'll try not to disappoint you folks…
Ages– Pan : 20 Trunks :28 Bra : 21 Goten : 27 Marron : 22 Uub : 27
Reminder – "blah" means speak 'blah' means thoughts --- o --- means flashbacks
Reviewers– There are no existent words that I can use to describe how wonderful you guys are…
Melting Ice
Chapter 5 – The hidden memory
"Pan dear…may I come in?" Bulma asked timidly as she creaked the door open.
After a couple minutes of silence, Bulma took Pan's silent reply as a positive consent. She pushed the door open with her back and entered with a silver tray of food.
Pan, smelling Bulma's cooking turned around slightly, her ears perked up. She just stared at the middle-aged woman and then glanced at the tray. She closed her eyes gently as the delicious aroma filled her nostrils.
Bulma chuckled gently. Then, she began to lay down the plates of food one by one on the small coffee table. Pan noticed this and frowned grimly. If she wanted to eat…then she would have to get out of bed. Why couldn't she just eat in bed? In the past, she had seen other people in the household eat their meals in bed – well…only when they were sick…or when they were experiencing a horrible day…
'Ah forget it Pan. This must be some kind of bribery or something. They probably just want to lure you out of bed to start their "healing" project. …Well that won't work on me! I'll just…starve…if I have to. It's only a couple of hours till dark anyway…'
(Stomach growling)
'What great timing…'
"You are definitely your grandfather's granddaughter, Pan…" Bulma suddenly said, laughing.
Snapping out of her thoughts, the ebony haired girl flinched sharply. Bulma, realizing the words that she just spoke, stepped back slightly. With a hand covering her mouth, Bulma mumbled a soft apology.
'Nice going Bulma! Now you made the poor girl upset!'
The aqua haired woman started to laugh nervously. Why does she always have to say the wrong things at the wrong time?!
"Um…I apologize Pan…I-if you need anything…you can ring this bell, okay sweetie?"
Bulma turned around and walked out quickly. But before shutting the door, she peeked in and smiled gently at Pan,
"I hope you enjoy your meal…and I hope that you can join us downstairs sometime soon too…"
With that said, she closed the door softly.
-x-
"You what???"
"I'm sorry dear…it just slipped!" Bulma said in defense.
"Mother! The whole reason we brought Pan over here was to cheer her up! …You're making it really difficult you know that!"
"Well I'm apologizing aren't I??? Maybe I should just lock myself up in my room and stay out of your way for the remaining month then!"
Trunks breathed out a sigh of frustration as he ran a hand through his lavender locks.
"I-I didn't mean it like that mother…"
"…I understand, no offense taken. Now…isn't there a certain someone you should be checking up on…?" Bulma asked, a knowing smile tugging at her lips.
"Hmm? W-who? Oh…yea, maybe I should pay her a little visit…" Trunks replied, mumbling the last part to himself.
"Alright then, get moving!" Bulma said cheerfully as she disappeared out of the lounging room.
-x-
'To eat…or not to eat…that is the question…'
Pan laid on her bed as she debated whether or not she should eat Bulma's scrumptious meal. Her brow creased slightly as she struggled with the battle going on inside her mind.
If she ate…then she would be nourished and fed…but then the Briefs would surely catch her…
On the other hand, if she didn't eat…the Briefs wouldn't be able to have control over her…but then she'd starve for sure!
…argh! All this debating was giving her a migraine! Surely crap like this couldn't be too hard to handle! She had two choices…it shouldn't be difficult to decide!!! It was either one or the other!
Pan massaged her temples soothingly as the pressure raged on.
"Give me a sign or something!" Pan randomly yelled. …That sure helped.
Out of defeat and fatigue, the ebony haired girl slumped back against the bed. Seconds later she immediately began to eye the tasty food on the small coffee table. …Why oh why did it have to smell so good???
The silver tray held some hot ramen with some fresh lettuce to freshen up the soup. A small French baguette with some sliced cheese and meat. At the corner of the tray stood a cool glass of water. Next was a bowl of strawberries and smaller bowl of melted chocolate for dip. (A/N : Yummy strawberries dipped in chocolate! XD)
She knew her mouth was watering…she knew she had to look away…but she couldn't resist.
Before any opposing thoughts could stop her, Pan leaped from the bed to the comfy armchair and started gobbling down her meal.
-x-
"Trunks! Wait up!" a voice called as Trunks made his way up the staircase.
He turned his head slightly to meet the person, and noticed his little sister trailing after him.
"Bra? You need help with something?" He questioned.
Breathing heavily, the aqua haired teen caught up to her brother and held on to his arm.
"You need something?" Trunks asked with a cocked eyebrow.
"Y-yea, h-hold on…!" Bra wheezed as she tried to regain her breath.
Sighing impatiently, Trunks raised his free arm and to check his watch.
'Hmm…it's past 2 already, I wonder if Mother left Pan some food…'
"Okay Trunks! …Trunks??? TRUNKS!!!" Bra hollered into her elder brother's ear.
She smiled triumphantly as she regained her brother's attention.
"What is it that you want Bra?!" Trunks shouted angrily as he rubbed his poor ears.
"I want to go with you!" She chirped as she encircled her arm with his.
"Want to go where…?" Trunks replied, confusingly.
"To Pan's room! Duh!" Bra said, poking her brother. "Well let's go then!"
Before Trunks can utter a sound, his sister dragged him up the steps and down the hallway.
-x-
'This is…paradise…! Yum! Bulma's definitely brushing up on her cooking skills!'
As Pan began to lick her last plate, she heard footsteps edging closer to her location. Maybe it was Bulma…?
A shiver ran down her back as she heard a male voice.
'Ack! It's Trunks!!!'
Pan drank the remaining water in the cup and quickly leaped back into bed.
-x-
"Trunks…maybe we should knock first?" Squeaked a trembling Bra.
Trunks glanced down at his shaking sister.
"Why should I? She's probably asleep anyway, wouldn't knocking wake her up?" He questioned.
At his reply, the young saiya-jin princess trembled with an even faster rate. She gripped her brother's arm even harder, which was pretty painful for the saiya-jin prince, for she had sharp nails.
A strangled cry emitted from his mouth, begging for his arm to be released.
"Ah! I'm sorry Trunks! I didn't know I had such grip!" Bra apologized as she backed away slightly.
The lavender haired man sighed as he rubbed his sore arm.
"Bra, why don't you just go to your room and trim your nails or whatever. I'm going to enter Pan's bedroom any minute now, either you come in with me or you scram."
The aqua-haired saiya-jin gave her sibling a curt nod and took in a deep breath.
-x-
Trunks slumped against his pillows; completely and utterly exhausted.
He ruffled his bangs in a slightly irritated manner. He bent his head back as he absorbed the comfort of his bedroom. He needed to relax…what had happened awhile earlier was…well…rather upsetting and not exactly his brightest of times in life.
The young saiya-jin prince closed his eyes tiredly as he became vulnerable to his slumber…he just wanted to forget everything…just for a moment… He wanted to be relieved of all this stress, so…just for this short time…he needed to forget…just this once…
--- o ---
"Trunks-kun!" a voice squeaked.
'Who's calling me..?'
"Trunks-kun!" The voice echoed again.
The laughter and happiness that was put into all this effort to call out to him made him turn around in eagerness.
"Who's there?" He replied to the small figure. As the shadow neared towards his path, he could see that this was only a child…and he concluded that the mysterious enigma was a just a little girl. He reached out for the person…and as he made the first connection with his own firm grip and her soft little hand…he felt a soaring shock of familiarity as a warm feeling surged through his body…
Who was this child? …He did not know…and before he could make up more intriguing and curious questions, he felt himself being tugged forward.
" Wait…where are we going????" He questioned, looking down at the girl with curiosity and uneasiness. 'That's strange…why does my voice sound different???'
With a gulp…Trunks searched around frantically for some sort of object that would show him his reflection. Not long after that that, a mirror popped right in front of him and without even questioning it's appearance, he quickly looked in.
"……AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" his voice echoed throughout the emptiness.
"W-what's happening to me??? It's like I'm fourteen again!!!" His shocked and baffled voice shook. His hands tangled between his short lavender locks as he stared unbelievingly back at his teen self.
(giggle)
He sharply looked down at the small child…and for the first time…he noticed that her face was cloaked in darkness…it was hidden. He could see the outline of her tiny body…but no details of her face…the only reason he knew that she was a little girl was because of her high pitched voice.
"…who…who are you?? And how did I become so small again?? Is this your doing??" Trunks yelled as he jumped back slightly and waited for an answer from the girl.
"…baka…" She replied quietly; trying to hide the fact that she was snickering.
"Excuse me?!"
"Oh hush up you cry baby!"
"……"
"Dende, it took forever for you to calm down! Okay…now that I have you all quiet and stuff…listen up and listen good bub! Kapiche?" (A/N: Sorry I don't know the how to spell 'Ca-pish' …you know what I mean…right?)
"…er…sure…"
"Good…now, I need you to wake up." She said simply, giving him the 'no but's' look.
"…what???" Trunks sputtered.
"You heard me." The little girl shot back, putting her hands on her hips in a 'Chi-Chi/Bulma kind of style'.
"I don't understand what you're implying…this is lacking total logic! …and hey! Where are you going?!" Teen Trunks said looking up to see the child walk away slowly.
"My job is finished. I showed you what I needed to show you…now go on, she's waiting for you." The little girl said; he could tell from the sound of her voice, that she was smiling. She backed away farther and farther away from him.
"Who..?" Trunks stupidly replied.
"Pfft…don't ask too many questions baka! The answer is not complicated for a genius like you."
"Wait..please..I don't understand any of this! Who are you?? And who is 'she'?
"Think Trunks, think. Don't you remember any of this? Your childhood perhaps? Don't you recall spending time with someone like this?" She whispered softly.
"What…?"
"You're the only one who can save her Trunks, you need to save her."
"I…need to save someone?"
"Goodbye Trunks." The little girl laughed. She waved her small hand at him as she began to disappear from toe and up.
"Wait!!! I need answers!!!" Trunks desperately cried out, running towards the disappearing child.
"…Fine…just a clue…it'll probably give it all away though…" The darkness stopped enveloping her body as her face finally started to appear…
Trunks gasped as the mysterious girl revealed herself…and he felt a small chill as he too, disappeared into the darkness…
'Pan…was that you…?'
"…Not quite Trunks, not quite." A hearty child's laughter was the last sound he remembered…before he began to sink more and more into the dark and quiet emptiness.
A/N: As a gift of apology…here's the long chappie…hehe I hoped you guys enjoyed it! Sorry if it's pretty rusty/cruddy…it's been awhile…heh I'll try to update as soon as possible…grr…die exams..die! lol Seeya soon!
Author's response to comment –
GogetaJr – lol Always food eh? Hehe I love your little dialogues with Goku and Vegeta! They're so funny! Thanx for the long review! How sweet of you! -
Miki23 – New reviewer! NEW REVIEWER! lol (greets Miki23-chan with a hug) Oh thank you so much! Well…are you content with the update? Hmm? lol
DarkAceGambit – Ah thanks! I'm happy that the previous chappie was enjoyable for you!
PanBraSaiyin – lol Yes!! And I just updated…again! lol I finally updated! Yay! Ah, don't worry; I'm lazy too! Hehe Thanks!
Amon's Angel of the Darkness – Yea! Evil cliffies..are bad!!! lol This one isn't too much of a cliffie neh? lol Thanks a bunch!
Ninja Chic – Sorry about that! I can't help it…I need Trunks to be caring in this fic!!! lol I hope you like the guys again by now! lol Thanx gurl!
Candy the Duck – Yea…Pan doesn't know about the ki bracelet…sorry for the confusion! Thanks for your comment!
Son Oliver – lol heh heh…I know…we should all give Goku a good shake! lol but to revive him…hmm…maybe…heh who knows? lol I love being mysterious and stuff! Thanx!
Trupan – Thanks Trupan! I hope this one isn't too…messed up either! lol I won't get all depressed over it though! I promise! lol Thanx for your support! -
Mii-chan1 – Hehe Yes! Her Son qualities are showing! - Thanks, I hope you liked the chappie!
element6 – lol Here's your update! Sorry about the wait! Aww, thanks!
lil Mari – Thank you so much! Your comment was very sweet! )
tatsumi sagara – Last but not least! lol Thanks! Yes, I guess Pan really wants someone to understand her…nods Here's the updated chappie, sorry about the wait! Thank you for everything!
- o – This has been…coolkitty2 – o -