Okay, here it is! I'm sorry this took so long, but it really is hard to write a love story when you just break-up with your boyfriend. I hope you all understand. / It was no easy task, but somehow writing this did make me feel better. Please let me know what you think! I'm still debating on whether I should write a couple more chapters or ending it right here. What do you think? Let me know!
Christina
Siege And Assist
Part 24
By: Christina
She grasped the soil beneath her. To everyone else, it was dirt. But to her, it was her land. It was no longer Freeza's, it was no longer under threat – it was her people's land. She stood with shaky legs and made her way over to her grandfather. Before she could get there, she could see the rest of her family making their way down to her. They stood on the far end by the castle where they had once been taking safety.
"Let's hear it for Son Pan!" a voice yelled from behind her. She turned her head and immediately recognized her platoon that she had tortured for weeks on end. She smiled at them and realized that the cheering not only came from them, but also from all the other warriors that soon surrounded her. "
Thank you." Pan smiled with tears on the verge of falling. This was definitely monumental. 'I'm the very first woman to be recognized in the Vegetasai army.' "Not to mention I saved the planet." She laughed ironically to herself.
The cheering soon sounded above everything else. Pan walked over to her family and embraced each one. Her mother and father were the first she ran to. "I thought I'd never see you again," she whispered into their ears since the deafening cheering was becoming overwhelming. Pan stepped back and looked around at her. Her grandmother and the queen were standing off to the side holding onto one another as they smiled at her. Goten and Goku proudly smiled at her weakly as they held onto their various broken body parts.
The King and the Prince stood off to another side. Pan stood in fear. It was never really discussed what would become of her. She went before her king, bowed and waited for him to address her.
"You have disgraced your people in so many ways. Not only did you impersonate a man, but you also lied to your superiors…especially your king! You can also add the act of treason onto your account too!"
"Vegeta!" Bulma yelled from the side.
With a deep regretful sigh he said, "But our planet owes its life to you."
Pan jolted her head up when she heard this.
'He just said our…'
"And it seems that you have shown exceptional power through an unseen transformation that I have only heard of. With that said, I bestow the honor of nobility to you and your family."
Pan stood up once she heard this. This is what she had always wanted, to get out of the slums of the South City and to live lavishly among the rich. To go to a better medical school, get better medical attention for her father; take care of her mom and dad so they would never have to work again. But at the same time, she realized that she didn't want it.
"I'm sorry your majesty, but I don't think I can accept your offer." She looked over daringly at her family afraid of what she would see. Instead of seeing shocked faces, she was met with proud smiles. 'I guess I did the right thing after all.'
"I thought that being nobility would make me happy. But now I see there is nothing that would make me happier than being home. There is nothing wrong with being a 3rd class warrior. The only wrong thing that could possibly happen is to be a 3rd class person. And that is something that us Sons just aren't." She bowed her thanks one last time, got together with her family, and flew to the South City – home.
The warm bed was enough to coax Pan straight home and not for the kitchen. Sure she was starving, but after sleeping on a cot and Freeza's ships bed, it just wasn't the same. There was nothing like your own bed. 'That has a great ring to it.' Pan nodded as she changed out of her uniforms.
She placed the tattered material against a chair and looked at it. This was the gift that Prince Trunks had given to her. It was the more feminine version of her male counterpart's uniform, but it also had the emblem of a high ranking officer. 'This is definitely a memory I will never forget.' She gathered her hair into a ponytail and hopped directly into bed. She sighed deeply as she felt herself sink right into the spot. She finally felt it…comfortable.
"PAN!"
'This can't be happening…no, no, no, no, no…' She groaned inwardly.
"Yes mother!" she yelled down hoping that would settle this situation faster.
"Shower and come downstairs right now young lady!"
"But mom…" She whined. Suddenly, she felt like she was eight all over again.
"Now!"
She muttered under her breath as she gathered her towel into her arms and walked into the bathroom. The steaming hot water wasn't such a bad idea though. Even though she had showered after the battle at the camp ground, she still felt a bit dirty. Taking out her flowery scented soap, she realized why.
"Ahhhh…"
She heard hushed talking from downstairs as she walked out of the bathroom.
'Who's down there?' She questioned. She continued her stride towards her room and saw an all too familiar cape.
"The Prince is here."
'Shoot…I said that so loud.' She cursed. 'Maybe he didn't hear.'
Sure enough, his stiff posture and his cape's movement was enough proof that he had heard her.
"Great, now what am I supposed to wear." She wondered as she looked at her closet. Everything she had to wear was probably more girly than the prince was used to seeing her in. Well, when everything she wore in the past week were blue leotards, anything that wasn't spandex was probably considered girly. She had to settle for something subtle. She grabbed a denim skirt and a nice crème colored blouse that accentuated her feminine curves.
"This will have to do," she murmured as she pinned her hair up to the side and added some make-up. She wanted to impress the Prince too.
She walked downstairs and was shocked at what she saw.
"Isn't this cape great Pan?" Goten questioned. Pan looked him over and realized that it had the Son emblem on it so it must have been a gift from the King. Although they were sticking to their 3rd class roots, the King still saw it fitting they be commanding officers of Vegetasai's army.
"My, why do you look all dressed up?" Videl smiled knowingly.
"No reason. It's been a while since I've gotten to be a regular woman and wear nice, feminine clothing and make-up. Is there something wrong with that?"
"No, no…not at all," Videl said with a smug smile.
"Mother, what is that smile on your face? I know what that smile is! You're up to no good!" Pan accused. Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Just go answer the door Pan." Videl laughed.
"I'll find out what you're smirking about sooner or later mother." Pan said as she opened the door.
"Hi."
"Hi…" she trailed off. She must've looked ridiculously stupid at the moment.
"Trunks! Come on in!" Videl welcomed as she invited the Prince in.
"I brought this," Trunks said politely as he handed Videl a cake.
"This looks wonderful, thank you Trunks."
"You invited him for dinner mom?" Pan questioned.
"Sure, why not? Come on in Trunks…I'll be in the kitchen if you two need anything," Videl wavered as she walked into the kitchen carrying the cake Trunks had brought over.
"Hi," Trunks said as he realized that Pan wasn't going to start the conversation.
"Hi…what are you doing here?"
"Here in your house or here in South City?"
"Both." Pan stated still not grasping the fact that he was here.
"I saw you guys have a nice swing in the front yard. Why don't we go there?"
"Okay," She said as she led the way outside.
She sat down on the swing unsure of herself. He was here, he must care about her. Or was he just here on business? Or was he here as a way of saying thanks for saving the planet? She wasn't sure.
"Is something wrong Pan?"
"Answer my questions," She said in a quiet voice as she looked up at him.
"Well, I'm here at your house because your mother invited me over for dinner. And I'm here in South City because you live here. But if I were to be brutally honest, I'd say the real reason I'm here is because…well…it's because…"
"Because what?"
"Because of you." He looked over at her expression to see if he could gather anything from it.
"Why me?" She questioned on the verge of tears.
"Because I love you Pan Son. 3rd class or not, you stole my heart. And that night we shared in Freeza's ship was the moment I knew that you were right…it did change everything."
"For the better or for the worst?" She questioned as tears coursed down her cheeks.
"Better," he whispered as he wiped the tears away from her cheeks. "I love you." A gentle kiss followed that gentle statement. Such passion was being transferred into such an innocent kiss.
She rested her forehead on his as he pulled away. "I love you too. But I don't understand, what's going to happen?"
"Well, that all depends on you," he said as he pulled away and held onto her hands.
"Dinner!" Videl yelled from the inside of the house. The moment got awkward there. Pan looked at Trunks and saw that he wasn't sure of what to do either.
"You hungry?" She questioned.
"Starved."
They sat in the living room that was littered with candlelight. The power had gone out again in the entire South City and instead of being embarrassed about this fact in front of her guest Pan just lit a few candles. Videl and Gohan had already retreated up to their room to give the two young adults privacy.
"I honestly don't know where to begin Trunks." Pan said somewhat scarcely.
"It's okay, you can call me Trunks."
She smiled. Reassurance was always nice in an awkward situation. "I know that lying to you was the wrong thing to do and I don't want you to think that that is who I am. I know that was probably the worst first impression I could have possibly made on you."
"Actually, the first impression you've ever made on me was at the Palace when you came to see my mother. Do you remember that? Trust me, nothing but goods thoughts." He winked.
'Damn you for being so cute,' she muttered in her mind. "Well the point is that I think it'd be best if you and I…well if we just decided to end this." Pan stated.
Trunks froze. Was she saying what he thought she was saying? "But Pan…"
"No Trunks really…I want you to listen. You're the Prince and Future King of this planet and I am a 3rd class warrior. If we're going to make this work, I think we need to start from a proper beginning."
A sigh of relief escaped the Prince's lips. Not only had she gotten him good, but he swore that he had stopped breathing for a while.
"You okay?" She hinted with a smirk.
"I'll get you back for that one."
"I'd like to see you try." Pan said as she leaned in closer to him with that same smug look on her face. Trunks wasted no time and inched in the rest of the way to kiss her.
7 months later
She gazed daringly at the clock. She still had a few questions left to answer before her final would be complete and her summer vacation could finally begin. With her being busy at school and Trunks learning what was necessary from his father when it came to politics, they found little time to spend much time together. The vast distance from South City to the castle wasn't too much when flown, but it was a bit out of the way. And after a tiring day of school or work, that distance seemed increasingly difficult to travel. They settled for talking through mail when it wasn't possible to see each other as often as they would like.
Tonight was different. It was the royal ball where Trunks was to be crowned the new king of Vegetasai. Pan was excited for him. They had only been together for 7 months, but the time seemed to have flown by. There were times when her schedule allowed her to spend the weekend at the Palace or he spend the week at her parents house so the time constrictions weren't as bad as it seemed. It was bad, however, for two people who were in deep love.
The last question! How exciting! She realized that this was an easy extra credit question and quickly jotted down the notations necessary. Gathering her books and bag, she slapped her final down on the teacher's desk and walked out of the school to enjoy her summer.
She walked out onto the streets and greeted fellow classmates with smiles. She had received many gestures of thanks when she returned home from the siege. As soon as she got to her front door, she saw that it was littered with everything! From little flowers that had been picked to adorable thank you cards written from young children in crayon, it was all there. She loved it. She loved what she had done and that she had inspired her people. Generally, people wondered why a third class warrior wouldn't take up the King's offer of being nobles. But then again, these were the Sons. Once people realized who the offer was made to, it was obvious to see why one wouldn't accept it.
Pan quickly jumped into the air and flew home as fast as she could. She had so many things to prepare for before the big night. She had her gown that she still had to pick up, a hair appointment she was surely going to be late to, and a Prince that was waiting for her at the end of all this.
'Since when did I become such a girl girl?' She wondered as she touched down at the house. She quickly dropped her books onto her bed and looked around for he respectable family members.
"Hey honey, how was your final?" Videl asked walking into the living room.
"Good. Hurry mom, we're gonna be late for our hair appointment. Where's dad? Is he getting his tux already?"
"Actually, he's over at your uncle's."
"What are they doing there? Please tell me they're getting ready."
"Hey don't look at me. I just heard he was over at Goten's. Football I believe?"
"FOOTBALL!" Pan yelled. She jumped quickly to the phone and dialed the number in a heartbeat. After a few exchanged words with her uncle, she looked smugly over at her mother. "Don't worry, they're leaving now."
Videl smiled at her daughter. She grabbed her purse, looked around the small house to make sure that it was orderly before they were off to pick up their gowns.
Getting her hair done seemed like such an unnecessary luxury for Pan.
"I don't see why I can't just go like this and in a nice dress," she attempted to reason with Trunks. Of course he had to explain to her that people from all around the galaxy were coming, important nobleman, blah blah blah.
"Okay, okay, you win. Is boredom a scare tactic you learned from your dad?" She teased. Of course, a tickle fight followed that. They always did.
'Man, how much longer is this going to take!' She yelled into her own mind. She hadn't seen her mother yet, but she was sure that she was doing just fine. Pan glanced over at the pearly white dress to her left and the gloves that came with it. It was a gorgeous dress. Pan insisted that her and her family take care of their own things, but Trunks had managed to somehow take over that part.
'Damnit, he is getting better with his negotiating skills.' Pan thought as she just came to the realization.
"All done!" A voice cheered. Pan shook herself out of amazement and wanted to turn around and look in the mirror.
"Uh-uh, you must put the dress on first! We need to see what the entire ensemble looks like."
Pan's eyes died down as she realized that the moment she had dreaded was here, she had to put the dress on. She smiled uneasily at the hair stylists and walked over to the bathroom to change into the dress. She glanced over at the clock and saw that it was already 4:30. She still had to get back home, meet up with her family, and get down to the royal palace before 6:00! With that realization, she ran into the bathroom and quickly threw it on.
"Let's see it!" Videl said from outside. She had already been changed and ready to leave for the ball and she loved to be pampered. She had a massage, a manicure and pedicure, along with her hair and make up being done. She looked beautiful.
"All right, I'm coming out. But no comments!" Pan warned. She opened the door and stepped out into a white dress that just spilled everywhere. It was breathtaking. The beading had been done so intricately that it hadn't overpowered the dress, but only properly accentuated it. Her hair had been piled atop her head beautifully and her make-up was done in subtle earthly tones to bring out the natural colors in her skin. She looked radiant.
"Pan, you look beautiful. Look." Videl said positioning the girl in front of the mirror. Pan breathed in deeply as she braced herself for the unexpected. She was surprised to see a beautiful young lady looking back at her.
"I look so…different…" she murmured.
"You look beautiful Pan," Videl said coming up behind her. Pan looked over at her mother to say thank you but instead saw the clock.
"We have to go!" Pan yelled grabbing her belongings. She ran over to the phone, called her brother, father, and grandparents to meet her at the house so they could leave.
"We all set now?" Videl asked as she gathered herself together also.
"Yeah, let's get home so we can go already."
Pan had wondered why Trunks wanted her there so early. She was sure that a small reason of it was because everyone was so interested in seeing this Pan girl. How was it a third class had the ability to mesmerize a Prince? She had to be something special. And then, there was also the aspect that everyone was very interested in seeing just who defeated Freeza, the almighty Ice-jin. Pan was worried that this would make Trunks jealous or feel less of a man. But for other reasons, he couldn't have been prouder to have this woman by his side. Not to mention his father was also proud, in his own way, to have her in the family. Many were interested to hear the tale of how she achieved the transformation that many had attempted time and time again. Once, Pan had enough guts to ask the King about it. While everyone was away from the dinner table and it was just Pan and the king, she had inquired about it from him. He of all people would know what it was that happened to her.
"It's a transformation that only affects the purest of hearts."
"Why didn't my grandfather, uncle, or grandfather achieve it?"
"Because they went into the sieges for all the wrong reasons. Or so we think anyway. It's a complicated thing to explain, just be satisfied with what you've got." The King grunted. Pan smiled. She had so many other questions to ask, but she figured that maybe searching elsewhere was probably the best bet.
They had been in the carriage for a while and the castle was coming up. Pan was excited. She hadn't seen Trunks all week either because he was busy or because she was. This was going to be great!
She got out of the carriage first. She was met with a handsome purple-haired man with a tuxedo on. Her grin widened as she realized just how handsome he really was.
'And he's mine,' she rattled off in her head. She took his hand, kissed him gently and followed as they proceeded into the foyer where they would meet and greet all the guests that were coming.
Pan smiled mechanically again as another person attempted to chat things up between her and the prince. This was so boring. She looked over at her parents and saw that they were enjoying appetizers as well as the atmosphere and company of their family members.
'Lucky,' Pan thought unhappily.
"It was a pleasure meeting you Ms. Son," The man that had been talking to them said. He gently kissed her hand and walked on.
"That was the last, I promise," Trunks whispered to the small woman next to him.
"I'm glad. That has got to be the most spit I've ever collected on my hand," she comically stated. Trunks smiled down and leaned down to kiss her.
"Come on, let's go to the table. I think we're going to begin eating soon." At the thought of food, Pan's face lit up immediately.
"You owe me desert for this."
"I promise."
Dinner came and went with the same polite chatter. Pan and her family had joined the royal family in the front. Not just because Pan was Trunks' girlfriend, but just to the fact that it was the Son family that assisted in the ending of Freeza.
Vegeta stood and tapped his glass in a very classy manner. It was ironic. Through this man into spandex and armor and he was the world's most ruthless warrior. Throw him into a tuxedo and he was near a gentlemen. Pan now understood why this man was fit to rule their country.
"This night is to celebrate my son's coming into royalty. He has learned well and I couldn't have made a wiser decision in choosing who is fit to run this planet. With that said, I would like to introduce you all to the new King Trunks," Vegeta said as he took a seat and his son stood.
Trunks nervously stood up and took in the applause around him.
'That's odd, Trunks never gets nervous. He lives for this kind of stuff,' Pan thought eerily. She figured he was just nervous at having to take over the Planet and have to deliver a speech after Vegeta had just delivered his. That man did have a way with words.
"This has got to be the most momentous occasion in my life. Well, next to my birth, but you get my point," he said charmingly. Naturally, everyone in the room chuckled lightly. He looked over at Pan nervously as she smiled and silently encouraged him to go on.
"But there is something wrong. I can't accept the King's offer to rule Vegetasai."
Pan's mouth dropped. He had been wanting this since he knew he could become a king someday. She was hoping that this was another one of his charming jokes, but the look on his face was evidence enough to prove he wasn't joking.
"I cannot be a competent King to rule Vegetasai unless I have the perfect Queen."
'Queen? Is this his way of telling me he has an arranged marriage set up?' Pan queried in her mind. She was almost ready to get furious with him when she looked up and saw that he was looking straight at her.
"I want you, Son Pan, to rule alongside me as my Queen. From what I see, there is no one better for this position. You are perfect inside and out. You are the jewel that hid within Vegetasai's dirt. You are the reason why perfection exists."
She melted into a puddle. Her mouth failed to move, but the tears that coursed down her cheek were evidence enough of her answer.
"…yes," she sniffled. Trunks smiled his handsome, wide smile and placed the ring he had on her ring finger. Pan didn't even have the heart to look down at it; she knew that what Trunks picked out was extravagant and beautiful. Instead, she just jumped into his arms and kissed him. She ignored the fact that the women (and some men) in the room were glaring daggers at her. She didn't care. Right now, she felt her entire world fall completely into place. This was the beginning of the new Vegetasai.
So, how was that? Not too bad, right? Let me know! Should I continue or should I stop? Hmm, let me know!
Christina
