Chapter 5

She sighed, trying to relax as she was prodded, poked and burnt. The afternoon before the ball and everyone was in a rush…thankfully, it meant she only had to be in each place a maximum of 20 minutes…unfortunately, because everyone was in a rush, no one cared if they poked you're eye out or something

"Ok, you're done" The hair dresser smiled, taking a minute to admire her handy work "NEXT!"

"Wow, Pan…you look fantastic" Bra smiled, turning in her chair to look at her

"You scrub up nicely too" Pan replied, with a large grin "So…that's it, right? Nothing else to do but to put our dresses on at the palace"

"I think that's it" Bra murmured, paying the hairdressers "Yeah, that's it. Nails, hair, make-up all done…time to get dressed!"

"Finally" Pan sighed, climbing into the car "I was getting tired of all those people, wondering why a girl in jeans looked so done up"

"Not done up" Bra shook her finger, tutting "Beautiful. They were wondering what a beautiful woman was doing without a man on her arm"

"Whatever Bra" Pan replied, folding her arms "It's not like you can read minds or anything"

"Yes, but being part of the royal family means I have to have some sort of bond with my people, so I can GUESS what they're thinking…and I have yet to be wrong"

"There's always a first" Pan muttered under her breath

"Will you stop" Bra scolded, punching her on the arm, lightly "You're beautiful, your second to none and any man would be lucky to even get a SMILE from you. Now, I don't want to hear another word from you about how you look, do I make myself clear"

"Crystal" Pan replied, staring out the window. Sighing in frustration, Bra turned to look out hers, resting her head on her hands "Bra? What's the ball like?"

"What's brought this on?" Bra raised an eyebrow

"Just…curious" Pan answered, quietly "So, whats the ball like?"

"Well…usually its boring, dancing, food, more dancing, drinks, lots more dancing and chatting…and at the end you're feet hurt like hell…"

"That's enlightening" She mumbled, earning a glare from her friend

"BUT. Sometimes it fun. It really depends who you go with. Last few years I've been with ass holes, but this year…"

"This year you're going with my uncle" Pan smirked, teasingly

"Yes well…he is cute" Bra drifted

"He's my uncle" Pan replied, disgusted

"And well-built"

"He's my uncle"

"And incredibly and utterly sexy"

"HE'S MY UNCLE!"

"Don't hear me complaining about you talking about my brother"

"I don't talk about you're brother in that way"

"Yet" Bra smiled, holding up a finger to silence Pan "Besides. You should have fun with my brother at the ball"

"If he isn't chatting up girls" Pan muttered and Bra slapped her head

"Please don't tell me you believe the things the newspapers say"

"No, it's just…" Pan replied, drifting off in thought

"Lady Bra, we have arrived at the palace" The driver called, pulling up to the entrance "Do you require my assistance for anything else?"

"No, that will be all, thanks" Bra bowed quickly, then ushered Pan into the palace and up to a guest room "Right, you go have a bath, whatever, get dressed then go next door to my room"

"Ok…" Pan entered the room, finding all of her stuff already laid out in front of her.

She knocked twice on the door, feeling uncomfortable being in a dress out in the corridors

"Oh Pan, you look great!" Bra squealed, ushering Pan into her room. Pan looked meekly to her feet, toes curling under the crimson high heels. Her dress was nothing too fancy (like Bra orginally wanted) just a plain straight dress that was brought in around the bust and waist but flared down to her ankles with a slit that allowed movement. And although she was compliamented thousands of time by Bra and ever a few servents, she still felt insecure about herself and the Prince going out to a ball.

"Oh, stop looking so self conscious and compliament me!" Bra nudged her friend, bringing Pan's attention back into the room.

"You look wonderful, Bra" Pan smiled, as Bra gave a twirl in her dress, its deep blue material flying around her. And while Pan's dress was nothing short of simple, Bra's was the opposite. She'd gone full out on puffy material and sparkling jewels. And while it looked tacky on the hanger, Bra managed to pull it off and still look like a princess.

"When don't I? Hey, look! Blue and red! We're Vegeta-sei's royal colours" Bra grinned, fixing her hair "You know what that means…you and Trunks-"

"Will you stop with the sister-in-law hints Bra" Pan cried, rubbing her head

"The truth hurts" Bra said, sympathetically

"Geez Bra, you just don't give up"

"Nope" She grinned "Anyway, its time to fix you up!"

"What? I just spent all day getting prodded and pokedby professionals! I don't think I need anymore make-up!"

"Just a touch-up" Bra grinned, pulling out a huge bag "Nothing much"

"No"

"Pleasse" Bra begged, pulling the 'puppy-dog' look

"I hate you" Pan growled, sitting on a stool

"Hold still" Bra hissed, almost poking Pan in the eye "Besides, you're only wearing mascara, eye shadow and lipstick"

"Still hate you"

"Not feeling the love"

"Idiot"

"That's you're princess you're talking too"

"I thought you were my 'sister-in-law'?" Pan retorted, with a roll of her eyes

"Ah ha! So you admit it!"

"…Shut up"

"How long till Trunks gets here?" Pan asked, watching Bra put on her own make-up

"I don't know" Bra replied, looking at Pan through the mirror "Soon, I hope"

"Ack, I'm tired of waiting!"

"Calm down, the ball has only just started" Bra said, placing her make-up back in the bag "Besides, the only people who'd be down there is my mother and the waiters"

"I suppose" Pan breathed, calming down "But I'm sick of waiting…it's already been 2 hours!"

"You forget, I've been waiting with you" Bra frowned, plopping next to Pan on the sofa "So I'm just as bored as you"

"Yeah, well…I just wished they'd hurry up" Pan pouted, folding her arms over her chest

"Err, princess Bra, ma'am" A timid voice came from the door as it creaked opened "You're dates are waiting in the foyer"

"You see Pan" Bra grinned, trotting to the door "No more waiting…Now prepare yourself for 3 hours of dancing"

With a groan, Pan followed Bra out of the room and down the corridor…

"I hope they're ready" Trunks muttered, tugging at his bowtie "I hate waiting"

"I know" Goten grimaced "Plus, I want to get out of this penguin suit as soon as possible"

Trunks chuckled and fixed the cape around his neck "At least you don't have to wear a cape…this thing is forever getting trapped in doors!"

"Ok, I'll go down first, ok?" Bra smiled, gripping onto Pan's hands in excitement "Wish me luck"

"Why?" Pan asked, tilting her head to the side

"Just in case I trip" Bra gulped and turned round the corner

Pan could hear the clicking of Bra's heals and the hushed voices at the bottom of the stairs "This is it" She told herself, before following Bra's lead down the stairs

"Wow…" Trunks gaped, watching Pan float down the stairs, red dress flowing behind her

"I think he likes it" Goten commented as Bra slapped herself on the forehead

"What do you think?" Pan asked, twirling around

Trunks, as a lost for words, just gawked at her, mouth opening and closing like a fish

"He likes it" Goten smiled, nudging Trunks in the ribs "I can tell"

"You look…beautiful Pan" He said, holding out his arm to her "Shall we?"

"We shall" Pan grinned, taking Trunks arms. With Bra and Goten behind them, the couples made their way to the ballroom…