AN: Here it is... THE FINAL CHAPTER! OMG! I can't believe it! My baby's all grown up... ((sniffles)) Haha. Yeah, I know I'm out-of-character but what can I say? This fic has started my writing fandom and has been with me since the beginning. Heck, it was my beginning! I've seen my writing morph and change into something worthwhile, if not a little cheesy. It's the perfect document to look at if you want to see the drastic changes I've gone through as an authoress.

I've still got a long way to go to be great but I'm far from horrible (I hope...). All of my thanks will go to my final reviewers and, even if I don't mention you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm sad to see my first fic go but it's time and I know you'll all be with me when I'm done with this piece. Honestly, I'm a little scared. This fic is now just a memory to me now. Haha...

Disclaimer: All rights reserved.

So, without further adieu, the final chapter.

Epilogue

You'd think that there would be some tension between the two teams after the final victory. So, of course, there was the skeptic air around each of the girls as they were taken aside by each of their Masters, not knowing they were going to visit. Pan, Bra and Marron pondered the thought of actually hating them for a time, but they decided in letting them have their say first. But, what did they have to say? They had won, fair and square, even while all of their lives hung in the balance, but Trunks, Goten, and Uubu still wanted to prove they had some worth in them.

And in short, this is how it went...

Marron and Uubu

The corridor of the hall was quiet if you minused the slight echo of footsteps. The feet that usually made no sound now resonated lightly in the conditioned-cool air. The blonde locks that were once tied now bounced about her shoulders as she walked towards the hospital wing. The emotions on her face and in her mind fought viciously. They had lost, which wouldn't have been so bad if it weren't for the bet that was made. She wouldn't run away, for that had no honor in it, but an escape route was looking very good right now.

So caught in her thoughts, she almost missed the distinct aura that stood near the hallway for the fighters that needed medical attention. The thought of seeing Bra had left her mind completely, as she hoped to find another escape from this predicament. Luck seemed to be against her again today, but never had it turned on her so quickly.

"Marron," came a voice that was all too familiar. She looked up from the ground and met dark eyes. They stared past her built defenses as if they could see the wheels working in her head. She smiled nervously and unconsciously began to sway on the balls of her feet. She didn't want to meet him now, not when all her emotions were so easy to read. It was already too late to place her mask back on. He would know and break down her partially built wall.

She looked at him again and noticed the look in his eyes. The determination she had seen in her match was now gone and she couldn't help but doubt her own eyes. She saw a reflection of failure glowing back at her, as if he had done something wrong. But they had made an everlasting promise and both were too stubborn to admit they were wrong.

"We lost," she said, looking away from him as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, "and I accept it. There's not much left to say so I don't see the point in-"

But words were lost to both of them.

The fragile tone of her voice and the look of dubiousness in her eyes made him realize something. That, although Marron had grown up and no longer needed his full protection, she was still vulnerable when all the masks came off. Her innocence was still very much intact and she was indeed prone to breakdowns, especially when no one was looking. He had locked her in his arms and the protection she didn't need was given to her, regardless of any fighting she would put up.

But, surprisingly, she didn't struggle or pull away. She held onto the man her feelings had dubbed as her own and seeked the comfort he offered. Marron didn't need him to make any promises, nor any declerations of true love and the such. Right now, all she really wanted was the silent reverie of her body and soul willingly taken over by his own. Their path had come complete circle and she was content to see where their newest journey would lead.

Bra and Goten

The black expanse of her closed eyes now gave way to a white light. If she didn't know any better, aside from the pain throbbing through her body, she'd have guessed she was dead. However, life was much too willing to cause her more pain as they let her wake up from her former state. The shocks of sporadic hurt surged through her and she winced when she attempted to lift her arm. As she did, a pair of comforting hands took her raised one.

"Bra, are you awake now?" came the familiar voice of her childhood protector. However, not ready to face him, she faked sleep as her hand went limp in his grip. She heard him sigh in exasperation and hoped that her act would fool him into leaving. But, knowing that he probably wanted to talk to hear, he would wait around awhile. Damn her body for falling unconscious but it couldn't be helped. That's life and it seemed out to get her even more today.

She waited for him to drop her hand but, to her surprise, he clasped it tighter and held it to his forehead. The blush that she was beginning to feel was now being fought by her willpower to drive it away. She wouldn't blow her cover now. That was potential suicide on her part and, frankly, she did not need that at this very moment. What Bra needed was to collect herself so she could build up her defenses. But the voice she could never misplace invaded her thoughts again and she listened with curiosity.

"I'm sorry to tell you Bra," Goten began, stroking the hand he held in his grip, "but we won the tournament. I know you must be disappointed but there isn't much I can do. But, for one thing, I won't let you leave. I'm not going to give up on you like before. It wouldn't be fair, to either of us..."

The sinking feeling in her stomach had caused her face to pale, she knew. However, she didn't stir from the new piece of information. She felt her hand being placed by her side again and heard the scrap of the chair to her right. In a haze, she wasn't sure if she was dreaming. She wasn't sure if she could handle the truth. That Pan had lost the battle she had fought for so long to the one man she saw as the most overbearing male on the planet. How could they live up to face their mistake all over again, with the chance she'll break once more? With a sigh, being fairly surely he was gone, Bra opened her eyes fully.

And came in contact with Goten's hovering face.

She bit back a scream and chewed her lip as she did so. What kind of martial artist was she? To be fooled so easily, it was ridiculus! But he grinned above her own face, his upper-half bowing while his hands were tucked neatly behind him. The blush she had been able to keep down before was now flushed on her cheeks.

"I thought so," he said with a grin and stood up straight, "You always were a pretty deep sleeper, Bra. But I felt your pulse go up when I held it and I figured you were 'playing dead.' That's not very nice, trying to avoid me."

His smile had intrigued her, always had and always will. However, this one was laced with a bit of sorrow and his eyes looked tired. He knew that she had found out about the loss. He had no other reason to be here except tell her that. It wasn't as if she'd never see him again. Quite the contrary, she doubted there would be a time when she could go a day without seeing him now that the final thread of fate had broken and a new one formed.

"What can I help you with?" she asked, her voice sounding tired, even to herself. She bit back the little voice in her head that asked her to comfort him because that was a complication she really just didn't need. How could she console him when he was the one who won?

He shook his head and smiled sweetly, if not a bit sadly, at her. His eyes focused and he leaned down again, even as she opened her mouth to protest. However, it was in vain as he touched her lips with his own. The bet had been made and broken. Now a new bond would be forged. But, unlike the last time, this one wouldn't be formed by the heat of hate or revenge. Instead, the feelings that were once left unsaid ignited to form their untamed emotions and their cycle of life would change in order to accomodate them.

Pulling away, the grin Goten always had was still on his face but tinted over his cheeks was a telltale blush. Not that Bra noticed, since she had taken that moment of opportunity to look away with her face inflamed. However, the words that couldn't be said and the things they felt that weren't acted on were promised to be said one day. If not in that kiss, then in a proper moment where both weren't left to such crude examples of affection.

But, even as Goten took his seat again with a small smile, maybe that day didn't really need to come.

Pan and Trunks

Eyes that were once closed now opened to greet the the lights of the medical hall she had now become accquainted with. Pan opened her eyes and was surprised to find herself, not in a bed, but tucked carefully in someone's embrace. Now, most days, she wouldn't panic and would swiftly take out any and all opposition that happened to be in her way. However, her body was heavily fatigued and even opening her eyes was a task that needed extra effort.

"So you're finally awake, ne, Pan-chan?" came the soft, teasing voice of her captor and she cringed at the nickname he had given her only too long ago.

Looking up, the smirking face of her ultimate rival awaited there. His arms were secure around her, though she didn't understand why. There was a bed less than a yard away and yet he resorted to cradle her as if she were a child. How pathetic did he think she was? She did make a slight bout of protest, as she wriggled in his hold. However, he wasn't swayed from his first notion and merely held her tighter, bringing her form closer to his own. Only then did she realize that there was little to no distance between them and the blush she had usually fought was now very bright.

"Trunks-san?" said a passerbyer, which turned out to be a nurse, "Is she finally awake?"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Pan's stare looked upward at her, thankful for the distraction away from the lavender-haired fighter and she nodded with a small flash of helplessness in her eyes. It was pitiful, really. One of the strongest women on the planet and she was being nestled in a man's embrace. Was there anymore humiliation that she hadn't experienced today?

"I see that she is," said the gleeful nurse, almost as if she had a secret to tell. Then Pan found out that she did and it only added to her pain. "You're so very lucky, Pan-san. Eversince your match, Trunks-san has graciously kept you company. He even refused to let you lay down by yourself. He simply decided to hold you. Isn't that sweet?"

The blush was now spreading to her ears, she could feel it, as the nurse giggled at the 'adorable pain,' as she dubbed them as of right then. Of course she knew Trunks had a possessive streak, but what was the bed going to do? Grope her? Even as the nurse said her goodbye, the crimson stain upon her cheeks was still aflame. Noticing, Trunks decided to do one of his favorite things in the world...

Annoy Pan.

Placing her closer to his face, Trunks snuggled against hers with a smirk. The heat had risen and he chuckled when she fought her way away from contact with his skin. She glared but made no move to leave him and opted to rest her head against his shoulder. She closed her eyes again and he knew she had lost consciousness once more. But instead of placing her on the bed, which he was going to do once she woke up, he walked to the cot and placed her on it, only to climb on himself.

Many things were left unsaid and understanding was still far from either of them. But he'd allow one more selfish desire before facing the fiery woman who had stolen the heart he never knew he had. His loose embrace would tell her everything she needed to know, once she stirred again, and he would be waiting to see whether she accepted him or not. Her choice, whatever it may be, was hers to make and he waited in both anticipation and fear. If she walked away now, he would never hold it against her. After all, he had done it once before.

But, in Pan's unconscious, her decision was set, even if she didn't know it. As he looked down at her exhausted form, who had only been able to stay awake for a few minutes, he felt the smile he always had for her resurface. When he went to nuzzle her ebony hair, content in the fact that it may be the first and last time, her hands caught his shirt and balled it into her fists. Her need to be with him had always been there, would always be there, and he couldn't help but look forward to a prospect concerning the two of them, together.

In the end, Trunks would always hold onto the little girl of the past, but looked forward to the woman of the future.

And though Pan would never admit it, she had let herself fall over and over, hoping he would catch her, just once.

But now that he had finally met the woman who fell from so high above, he found it impossible to get enough. Her being left him satiated and her heart anchored him to the world. Pan had finally been held, cherished, and was caught by the man who never even noticed she had fallen so far for.

But destiny wasn't about to let either of them slip away from each other. Not again.

The End

SxSxSx

AN: So it was written, and so it is done. Thank you, my readers, whether you've reviewed every time, occasionally, or never at all. Thanks to you from the bottom of my heart because now I've finished my most beloved fic. I hope to see you in any future fics I may do, regardless if it's Pan/Trunks or not. Thank you, one last time.

Well, until we meet again,

Adobo-chan