Finding Inspiration
By: LLy
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball, Dragonball Z, Dragonball GT.
A/Ns:-Does anyone know how to fix the faulty format? The spacing, italics, and bold are all coming out wrong and it's annoying the heck out of me!
-Have to go to school soon…this will be the last major update before schoolwork/projects pile on me again. I'll try to write in between classes but it will be slow.
-Sorry about the shortness of last chapter. To make it up, this is now my longest chapter, with 11 pages 5,375 words. That's a whole lot to me. Forgive me for last chapter minna?
- ---- means scene/place changes.
-* means there's an explanation at the bottom.
-It is 6: 20 AM. This means that while I should be snoozing, I am up working on this. Please review and make the hours I lost worth it. ! (O___o) !
Thank you for everyone that read/review last chappie!!!!
--------16 years ago--------
Goten clambered onto the porch quickly, wasting little time to breathe. In his arms was an irregularly shaped grocery bag containing "very urgent and important" valuables, as Trunks has deem it. It was a pain trying to find a 24-hour store open this late but Trunks is his best friend and he sounded desperate on the phone……….
Lights flash on and teenage Trunks was out in a flash. It was an understatement to say he looked very relieved. "Thanks Goten, I knew I could count on you……."
The two entered the Briefs' residence and shut the door to ward off the cold. Shrugging off his jacket, Goten immediately began asking the question that has been plaguing him for a while. "Why did you ask me to buy…………?"
His question was bluntly cut short on stepping into the main living room. The lights from the big-screen television were glaring brilliantly, and not to mention very loudly, at him. Giggles and pitter-patter of footsteps charged at his right and Goten reflexively shielded himself. It was too late! He was hit from both sides by…..two cute little girls???
"Uncle Gotten, whatcha doin' here?" a seven year old Pan latched onto her uncle's neck, said noisily.
"Yeah, have ya come to play with us?" eight year old Bra asked, arms wrapped tightly around his legs and eyes shining brightly. Like Pan, she was in white bunnies pajamas and was wearing big, fuzzy slippers. However unlike Pan, who had her hair loose and wild, Bra's hair was tied securely into two, floppy ponytails.
"Er….." Goten rubbed his head awkwardly. "Trunks!"
His lavender haired friend appeared in the room in a second. He gave a strained look and said nothing.
Goten looked at his watch, looked up at a wincing Trunks, looked down to the smiling girls, then back to his watch again. This repeated several times until Trunks cleared his throat. All eyes then focused on him.
"Hey girls," With a fake smile on his haggard face, the demi-saiyan pulled out throngs of wrapped popcorn bags and threw them to the still-attached girls. They caught it with one hand. "Why don't you microwave us some popcorn while Goten and I set up the movie?" The two exchanged glances, then quickly jumped off the confused Goten and raced to the kitchen, laughing and giggling all the way. Trunks brushed his bangs wearily and slid to the floor. He was soon joined by his buddy.
"Um, correct me if I'm wrong," Goten had his 'thinking' face on, "but isn't it 1 in the morning and that their bedtime was hours ago???"
This got Trunks out of his weary stupor. He grabbed Goten by the shoulders and shook him until his teeth rattled. "They're driving me nuts! Dear heavens, I had tried everything to get them to sleep. In fact, the two got even rowdier and decided to play 'let's run away from Trunks and see if he can catch the both of us! " Now he looked thoroughly traumatized. "Even father doesn't train me this hard."
His buddy nodded in sympathy. Pan and Bra did seem like they were on a constant sugar high. He hoped, no prayed, that it would wear off in the coming years.
"Have you tried reading them bed time stories?"
"The whole shelf and made me make up 'alternate endings'."
"Warm milk?"
"They insisted on feeding all the cats in the neighborhood."
"Meditation?"
"Pillow fights were more fun."
"Hot food?"
"The kitchen is cleaned out; not only that, I had to order take-out."
Cough, cough. "Begging?"
Sigh. "And that is where you come in. They promised to sleep as long as they got to watch 'Sponge Bob Square Pants'. I've never been so desperate to comply before."
Agreeing with what Trunks had just said, Goten tilted his head and gestured to the crumpled grocery bag. "So that's why you asked me to buy a 'Sponge Bob' tape, movie bites, and salted popcorn. But why did you asked for lemons and crushed peppers?"
The answer was cut short as two genki girls shot into the room, huge bowls of overflowing popcorn in hand. They squeezed in between the two friends on the loveseat then wiggled and squirmed until they were comfortable.
Pan tugged on Trunks's arms. "Where are the lemons and peppers you promised, Trunkz?" Beside her, Bra repeated her friend's actions to Goten.
Trunks handed them the remaining lemons and crushed peppers left in the bag. In a careful and innocent manner, the exuberant duo proceeded to dose the popcorn with lemon juice and crushed peppers. Despite having the stomach of steel, Goten felt sick. Out of the corner of his eyes, Trunks hid a wide smirk upon seeing the green expression on Goten's face. Well, at least his question is answered.
"Okay, girls…time for Sponge Bob!"
Pan and Bra exchanged knowing glances. "Yay!" they both shouted enthusiastically.
Inwardly, the boys gave sighs of relief. Peace and quiet at last.
Thirty minutes later, snores rang in the living room. Which was accompanied by smothered giggles.
"I TOLD you it would work." Bra crossed her arms and looked immensely satisfied. Pan snickered once more, hands passing across Trunk's sleeping face. "Yeah, they sure are predictable."
Trunks and Goten, baby-sitters extraordinaire, was fast asleep and snoring like babies. Bra just had to comment on this. "Not very manly, are they?" She gave a sneer at her brother.
"And not to mention, very terribly irresponsible of them." Pan pouted simply. "Who's gonna take care of us?"
They gave each other high fives. Wait til Goten and Trunks wake up…they're gonna love the redecoration!
-----------------
Darn, class was really hectic today. Pan rubbed her temple and sighed one more. Everyone was familiarizing themselves with the handout of her play, murmurs and whispers floating through the room. Today she was in charge of grouping classmates in background work. Which was more trouble than it sounds.
"Ah, you can't place Candy and Yugi together…that's just asking for trouble!" Keiko blurted out, sitting casually in the desk in front. She was leaning over the lists that Pan had compiled and was 'helping' with the grouping.
Pan sighed once more and put her pen down. "Well, Candy is the best painter and Yugi is brilliant at visuals…. what am I supposed to do?!"
Keiko shrugged; all she knew was that the two have a bitter rivalry going on since their grade school days and it just wasn't wise to put those two in the same vicinity.
Knowing that her friend was only trying to help, Pan grinned sheepishly. "Shouldn't you be practicing your act?" Her expression turned serious. "Just cause we're friends doesn't mean I'll automatically give you the part…"
Keiko scrunched her nose and scoffed. "What do you take me for? I work for everything I earn…and I'm confident enough that I don't need practice."
"Heh, sure." Pan rolled her eyes and continued with her list. "Audition is in five days…more work for me."
"Okay, let's simplify everything," Pan said to herself out loud. "There is three division of the play: the background stage crew, the live performers, and the non-participants (aka audience)."
Keiko continued the breakdown. "Those who want to do behind the scene work volunteered today; the audition for the actors is in five days; those that want nothing to do with the play (which is very few) will just be audience members."
Pan felt her mind clear after reciting the mental list and gave Keiko a smile of appreciation. However her friend responded by merely blinking blankly for a moment. "So, how did everything go yesterday?"
The student-director sweat dropped. Trust Keiko to be so fickle.
-----
Home sweet home. First thing Pan did upon arriving her house is crashing into bed. Yesterday, with all the tears, confessions, and magic, seemed like ages past. Would he keep his promise? How will the play turn out? Will she ever find her 'inspiration'? Honestly she didn't know, but she needed to rest first before worrying some more. Lethargically, she removed her shoes and peeled off her outer clothes. Her hair became undone and fanned across the pretty bed sheets. Trying to get more comfortable, Pan lifted her head onto the pillow and snuggled into the comforter. He had been in this exact position just a day ago.
Musk, mixed with a distinct cologne from a memory …Trunks.
Her hand tightened around the blanket unconsciously. Kami, how her heart skipped painfully. She had long ago associated that scent with warmth. After all, Trunks had rocked her to sleep countless times when she was little and his scent was what she remembered most. Lulled by his scent and her own exhaustion, Pan slept amid tearful musk.
It was no good…. she didn't want to be warm unless he was with her…
-----
The phone was ringing. She ignored it at first. But whoever is calling her had no plans of giving up. Might as well answer…her sleep was interrupted anyhow. Her hands pulled the phone off the receiver.
"Hello?" Pan mumbled, straightening up.
"Panny-chan? This is Bulma."
That got her attention. Why would Bulma call her? "Hi Bulma-san. What's up?"
"Well, I wanted to see if you were free tonight. You see, Trunks have two tickets for the theater as well as reservation for two at an out-of-town restaurant…but the silly boy forgot about getting a date…" Bulma chattered on in her typical, I-am-a-big-faker-but-do-as-I-say-anyways manner. "After all, it's only appropriate that two people go to such events…."
Pan sighed loudly into the receiver, bit exasperated but mostly amused. "What are you scheming, Bulma?"
The older woman laughed. "You're pretty sharp…too bad I can't say the same for my son though. So what about it?" she blatantly avoided the question. "Up for it?"
Sneaky weasel, that Bulma definitely was. But the demi saiyan didn't graduate the top of her class for nothing. "Trunks doesn't know that you're setting me up with him, ne? "
Her smile widened, if possible. "Now where would the fun be in that?"
What kind of mother was she?! While Pan had no experience in motherhood and wasn't in the position to judge, she did think that what Bulma was doing was kind of devious. "Bulma-san……"
"Look, it's okay. He knows that a date is expected of him for the evening."
"Still…"
"I'll take that as a yes. Be ready by six. Bye, Panny!"
The line went dead. Still as pushy as ever…that's Bulma Briefs for you.
Pan shook her head and smiled reminiscently. Six...that's in an hour. Her lips thinned. Knowing Bulma, the theater must be a prominent social center as well as the out of town restaurant…and she had nothing to wear. Che, the only clothing she had that was suitable was what she worn yesterday. What was she going to do?
Oh wells. Make do with what you have, right? Which was nothing, apparently.
Scowling, Pan entered the kitchen to get a snack. She thought best when eating, etc. 'Food equals brainpower,' she supposed, as she stepped into her minimally bare kitchen. She wasn't all that surprised to see Keiko standing over the sink or that she was munching on rice crispy cereal; that girl practically lived there since Pan gave her a spare key. Moving passed her eating friend, she opened the shelf and snatched out several granola bars. The two stood by the sink in companionable silence, one inhaling cereal and the other silently thinking while snacking on granola chunks.
"Yo shoo pi suuum chars." (Translation: You should buy some chairs.)
"Whu gonaa tpoi fob the?" (Who's going to pay for them?)
"Relti suks." (Reality sucks.)
"Ye." (Yeah.)
By now, the two finished their snacks and resumed talking coherently.
Keiko washed the sunny yellow cereal bowl and dried her hands on her pants. "Wanna go to the poetry reading at the coffee shop tonight?"
Pan shook her head in disagreement. "Naw, Bulma-san invited me somewhere. Actually, I was going to ask you to help me pick out something to wear."
"Then what are we waiting for? Sheesh." Keiko dragged the amused painter by the wrist into the bedroom. Despite being a gazillion times stronger than humans, Pan let the green-eyed girl move and order her around. Getting Keiko ranting on something was just as worst Bulma's shrieks, Vegeta's glares, and Bra's shopping sprees. Needless to say, it was a long and unpleasant ride.
And now, the fiery thin girl was throwing clothes onto her clothes in unruly fashion. Pan wanted to mention what a mess she is making but wisely kept her mouth shut. Well, it's not like she doesn't have spare time afterwards…yeah, she'll reorganize her closet after she finish her date with Trunks, call back to satisfy Bulma, complete some insurance files for work, arranged the backdrop groups, watch Keiko practice her lines, study for the business midterm, and think about the inspiration. Sure, she could do all that…when pigs fly and the moon is made of cheese.
"Okay, I think I got it."
Pan stared amazed at her friend. If Keiko hadn't decided she would be an actress, she would have made one heck of a fashion designer. She had a knack for finding all the right clothes! Like Bra.
'I thought I didn't have any thing suitable to wear.' But she shook her head and brightened at the good news. "Wow, already?! How do you do it? Never mind, just show me!"
"How bout this skirt," Keiko hung it on the clothes hook on the wall, "with this top?"
The skirt was actually a skort..a simple black short/skirt that slung low and reached just above her knees. It was one of Pan's more comfortable clothes, something she often wore to Sawa's class, or to take in scenery in the park, and sometimes to the beach to wade in water. In contrast, the top* was a lot more elaborate and…er, eye catching. It was blazing red, the bottom half skintight around the waist and the top half distinctly creasing to the top, where the two end sashes tapered and were to be tied and folded around the neck. In addition, there is one 2-inch slit on each sides and it's sleeveless and two thirds backless, too. Gohan would have a fit if he saw Pan wearing that!
"Three things Keiko dear." Pan was gritting her teeth and was also trying not to get unpleasant. 'She did not do this on purpose, she did not do it on purpose.' Pan repeated this mantra to keep calm. 'Must not hurt best friend.'
Keiko nodded and grinned like she just did her best friend a big favor. Probably in her mind, she did…but Pan on the other hand was thinking differently………
"One, I wear that skort to jogs, work meetings, horse tracks, baseball games etcetera etcetera…. what makes you think I can wear to a big social function?!!! Two, what makes you think I can wear that…that top out period?!!!! Three, why are you so evil??!!" Good…hysterically screeching was good. Attacking would be bad, (which she was not presently doing.)
"Oh, is that what you're huffy about?" There goes that wicked smile again. "Geez, chill. Don't want to give yourself wrinkles, or Trunksie Poo won't want you." She laughed heartily as she imagined an old hobbling Pan with deep wrinkles and a slowly retreating Trunks backing away from her. Though she stopped immediately when Pan gave her the eye (but she kept the silly grin).
"The skort will pass for a black skirt if people just see the front."
"And the red top's a bit risqué…" Shooting glare from Pan, which prompted Keiko to hurry her explanation. " But it compliments the skort really well and makes up for its plainness. Besides, you want to be memorable and it certainly worked for the production of The Tango. * " Eyebrows moved suggestively.
Good-naturedly, the green-eyed fashion expert dodged a thrown pillow.
"Yeah, but how am I to avoid people from seeing my backside all evening long?"
Keiko slapped her head. "How 'bout that trench coat-like jacket you own, ya prude?"
Two more pillows sailed through the air, but she once more ducked just in time to avoid getting hit. Pan scowled prettily across from her, a feat only she could do around people who annoyed/saved her.
"You have a smart answer for everything, you know that?"
"Yep, and to answer question number three…" She extended index fingers on the sides of her head, so it looked like she had devil horns. "I was born evil and I'm loving every second of it!"
A smelly sock hit her face.
-----
No doubt about it, she was nervous. Like 'about-to- see-my-estranged-best-friend-oh-my-goodness-is –it-a-date?' kind of nervous. Keiko is singing the marching bride tune in the background. It was mildly grating on Pan's nerves but it was distracting so she'll forgive her.
5:48…..5:53……..5:57………6:00!
The bell made a ringing noise, signaling that someone was at the door.
Pan exchanged looks with Keiko on the floor before getting up gracefully and walking to the door. She buttoned her jacket up to the last button and smoothed her attire down once over.
"Here goes nothing." The door swung open and a sense of deja vu washed over her at seeing Antoine standing there. Just like last time.
He bowed respectfully and motioned outwards. "The car is waiting right outside, Miss Son."
Pan smiled at the familiar refined manners and grabbed her purse hurriedly. She waved goodbye to Keiko who moved onto to sketching cartoon on the desk and closed the door behind her. Antoine offered his arms and she took it as he escorted her out to her date.
----
The place was crowded. Beyond crowded actually. It was an understatement when she said theater. It was THE THEATER. Capital letters and all. Pan had never seen so much celebrities, excitement, and glamour as in that moment. This must be the biggest social event of the year, if the cameras and news crew were of any indication. It was one big fat party.
And beside her in the black limousine was the lifeless, sulkiest man in the world. He had not said one word to her the entire trip there. And it was long silence, too..nearly an hours' drive!
The car pulled beside the runway and Antoine opened the door and put forward a hand to help her up. Pan took it gratefully and mouthed her thanks. She was surprised to see Trunks beside her already and wondered when had he got out. He started walking briskly to the entrance and Pan followed closely hoping not to get lost. People on the sidelines clambered to see or speak to them, trying to get their attention for one reason or another.
Just when they were by the door, an entertainment reporter (hoping to get the quick scoop) stepped into their way and more or less shoved a microphone in front of their face demanding the story. Pan looked disoriented for a second (where did he jump out of?), but Trunks looked like he was out to kill. Though outside, he was had an indifferent and calm demeanor, Pan noticed the jump in fighting energy and the darkening of his blue irises. Yeah, and she's willing to bet that his hand was twitching in his pocket (which is a habit of his for some time) right now. The situation is like a fire that needed to be put out and Pan is willing to be the fire extinguisher.
Ignoring the spotlight and the gaping audience, she grabbed the hand seeping out (probably to hurt the stupid reporter) and squeezed firmly. Trunks gave her a startled glance, but Pan only smiled back reassuringly. Without missing a beat, she moved inside the theater with the slightly stunned Trunks in tow. Inside Pan waved to the speculative audience outside and muttered a 'no comment'.
The valet, recognizing the famed Trunks Brief, bowed low and quickly escorted them to their seats in the balcony. For their part, Pan thanked the man appreciatively whereas Trunks gave a curt nod of the head. He bowed once more when they got there and left after wishing them a great time.
"This is so cool! I have always wanted to come to this theater, but it's impossible to get seats and the waiting list is so long…" She realized she was blabbing and immediately shut her mouth lest she embarrass herself any further. Her eyes widened when she looked down and saw that they were still holding hands.
"Sorry, sorry!" Pan let go and a blush rose in her cheeks. To her immense surprise, Trunks (who was sulky and apathetic a moment ago) gave a small smile and shrugged it off. At that moment, the lights dimmed and the two took their seats.
-----
Even
as doves when summoned by desire,
borne forward by their will, move through the air
with wings uplifted, still, to their sweet nest,
those spirits left the ranks where Dido suffers,
approaching us through the malignant air;
so powerful had been my loving cry.*
It was spectacular…wonderful…magical.
It was purely breathtaking to Pan. The music…the characters…the background….the poetry. Everything was perfect. In all her life in the pursuit of art, she had never seen such that move her to the point of utter silence. Absentmindedly, she realized that she was gripping her armrest a little too tight and that she was literally sitting on the edge of her seat, but was too absorbed to care. Hell, if meteors crashed and the world abruptly ended, she would probably not have noticed.
"Love,
that can quickly seize the gentle heart,
took hold of him because of the fair body
taken from me— how that was done still wounds me.
Love, that releases no beloved from loving,
took hold of me so strongly that through his beauty
that, as you see, it has not left me yet.
Love led the two of us unto one death.
Caina waits for him who took our life."
These words were borne across from them to us.*
Fascinated blue eyes watched her, studying and gauging her every action. He was truly interested in Pan's concentration and delighted glee in the play. Her dark eyes were stuck on the unfolding story on stage and twinkled now and then in merriment. She was sincerely enjoying herself, as if the entire world was happening right in front of her and she was dying to participate. So, so alive and…..genuine.
Which is something he could not say for others. He frowned bitterly. His other so-called dates loved theater, too…but not as much as they prized being seen with the illustrious CEO, or gaining something from his bank account, and from time to time a 'rendezvous' with him. The theater is just a ploy they use. Maybe that was why he care so little about this place.
But he knew that Pan is different from the rest…much different.
As if she heard him thinking about her, she tilted her head and glanced sideways at him. Then she smiled beatifically. He could not help but smile back.
-----
They left rather quickly, one moment after the curtain fell finally. Applauses thundered the halls, Pan among the loudest. As she stood from her seat, Trunks grabbed her hand and lifted her gently up. She was surprised but was not displeased. Sometime during the play, they have lapsed into a comfortable and amiable silence. He has even returned her smile!
"I'm just holding your hand so I won't lose your small self in the crowd." Trunks said matter-of-factly, but his lips quirked a bit in the corner. He was teasing her!
They were walking down the lighted aisle now and there were a lot of people around. Pan saw that he was making fun of her and stuck her tongue out in retaliation. He grinned and only held her hand tighter in response.
-----
As soon as they left the complex, news crew surrounds them and demanded commentaries. Obviously, 'no comment' didn't work for them. Pan once again played the mediator (after seeing someone's eye twitch) and even cracked a few jokes with said nosy reporters. An impatient Trunks pulled her along after awhile and the two sighed as soon as they were out of camera range. A limo pulled up and they got in quickly, in case any more reporters managed to catch up.
Trunks immediately shrugged his tie and jacket off in the car. They were choking him and he had been dying to get out of them all the whole time. After that was done, he picked up the attached phone and dialed.
"Yes?" Antoine answered on the opposite side.
"Forget about the restaurant…drive to the closest beach."
"Yes, sir."
He hung up and leaned back into his chair. He was not in the mood to be seen in the public eye and possibly be mobbed again. Before his thoughts wandered further, a warm voice broke into his thinking.
"So…what did you think of play?"
"I thought it was bland and pointless." Though he did not think this at all, he wanted to provoke her into her argument. He wanted to hear her talk, even if it is in an affronted tone.
He was pleased when her cheeks puffed out and when she immediately set to disprove the statement.
------
"You don't mind that we skipped the restaurant, right?" Trunks asked, slightly worried. If it was anyone else, he wouldn't have given a damn what that person wanted or thought, but this was Pan. Her opinion mattered the world to him.
She shook her head in disagreement. "Naw, knowing Bulma she'd probably reserved some fancy place where everyone who knows everyone will be there." Pan made a face, wind whipping through her hair and tickling her mouth. "I'll probably get a lot of stares when I order half the menu."
Her companion laughed. It was true though; in the public eye, he had to be careful about his habits (specifically eating habits) as to not attract unwanted attention. It was annoying and bothersome, but to have someone who knows how it truly feels and sympathize with him made him feel less alone. So he expressed this in laughter.
They stopped off by some snack shack by the entrance gate and ordered 14 hotdogs along with two mega super size coke. They got a weird stare from the teen working there and remembering their earlier conversation, snickered gaily.
They ate it while resting comfortably on the sand. They were the only one there, seeing as it was a school night. The tides came then slowly retreated, process continuing for all times. Pan mused about this and voiced it out loud.
"I wonder….."
Trunks turn to look at her.
"Why do some things change while others, like the tides, stay the same forever?"
"Change is inevitable. Nothing can stay the same forever, even the tides. Eventually the world would end and the oceans would be the first to go."
Pan frowned at the bitter response. "That's not true."
Trunks turned his head to look back at the roaring water. "Oh? Give me one example."
She said the next word bold and confidently. "Love."
He snorted, expressing his disbelief. "It does not exist."
"How about Bulma and Vegeta? 18 and Krillen? Grandma and Grandpa? Okaasan and Otousan? They're all as opposite as day and night, but they're perfect together!"
He shrugged indifferently. His heart was hardening again. "Attraction, compatibility, lust….call it what you will, love is not at work there."
"How can you say that?!"
"Pan, I have seen the human heart in its truest form. Vain, selfish, greedy, manipulative…never have I found 'love' among them. No goodwill, compassion, benevolence…it's all empty words and nothing more." His icy blue eyes held hers. "Believe me and don't learn it the hard way."
"Who did this to you?" She was pleading, but he wished not to answer her.
Trunks abruptly stood and turned his back on the girl sitting on the sand. "I'm leaving."
Hastily, Pan stood and held her ground. "Who?! Who, who, who???!!!!!"
He turned around. He was furious and livid. His eyes darkened almost to black and his face was contorted in anguish. "Everyone I've dated, everyone I've met, everyone around me, just EVERYONE!!!!!!" Trunks screamed at her and dropped to his knees.
She gasped and knelt next to him. The lavender man was shaking with grief and was holding sand tightly in his fist. "Why won't they like me for ME? Why is my money better than me? Or Capsule Corp more valuable?" He flung the sand away. "Am I defined by my looks alone? Or how much stocks I own?"
He looked at Pan beside him and told her what was in his heart for the longest time. "I don't want a trophy wife…or a romp in the bedroom. I want to love someone….and be loved for me. Only me."
Tears were in her eyes but she did not wiped them away. All she did was embraced the suffering man beside her and pray for him. He hesitated for a minute but returned the hug and accepted the comfort she offered. They stayed like that for a while, even as more stars appeared overhead. Finally he spoke.
"Tears? You're crying." He looked up and saw the glittering teardrops on her cheek. "I don't want your pity."
Pan gave a weak smile. " I'm crying for you, silly."
"Why? Do I deserve an angel's tears?"
"Because I like you Trunks." He inhaled deeply. "For you." He tightened his hold on her.
"You will find true love…I know it." She laid her head on his shoulders sleepily.
"How can you be so sure?" Uncertain and hesitant. For many years, that fear has kept him awake at night, frozen with dread and apprehension. How would he know if he pass her by or if he had already dismissed her in one of his rages? The thought brings a cold sweat down his back.
"I am sure because," She yawned, "you are a wonderful person and there is an equally wonderful person out there waiting to meet you."
He smiled-bright, worry free, and happy. It was lacking cynicism and cruelty and it showed real warmth. One he hadn't smiled in a long time. "Promise?"
Seeing him smile like that gave her strength. "I promise Boxerboy…I'll even help you look for her, okay?" She tried to sound exasperated though joy was flowing through her entire body.
"Yeah with your help, we'll find her when I'm 60!" He teased her relentlessly.
"Fine! If we don't find her by the time you're satisfied, then I'll marry you myself! Sheesh!"
Her hair smelled like raindrops and mangos, Trunks noticed. "I might just hold you to that," he said softly. When she didn't reply, he found that she had fallen asleep.
They were warm together.
***
The top and The Tango- "The Tango" was another production performed by the drama class (during Pan's freshman year). As the title suggest, it's a play about dancers and the art of dancing the tango. Pan is *surprise, surprise* the heroine of the story, a dancer who dreams of making it big and teams up with a professional partner to perfect their tango routine for the champions. (Hey, like that Simpsons episode! ^___^) Anyways, as a result of the bold and seductive nature of her character, Pan was forced to wear the top. (I can't imagine Pan wearing that of her own free will. Besides, remember overprotective saiyan dad Gohan? ^__^;) The play was a smash hit and Pan hid the top in the back of the closet, hoping it will never see the light of day again. The End.
2 Verse in theater- from Dante's Inferno. Paolo and Francesca's tale. In the verses, Dante is asking the forbidden lovers to tell their sad tales to him.
TBC
Next chapter: Trunk's Little Helper in the Office
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