Time After Time Chapter 7: Through the Rain, a dragon ball z fanfic

Chapter Seven : Through the Rain

A/N: My friend said that this chapter was wierd. So I guess it might be. It's also very confusing, so I'm sorry. I do not own DBZ, but I do own Ciara, she's mine! So ask if you want to use her.

Pan took a calming breath. She needed to keep her cool. She wasn't going to let this guy win; whoever he was. Her mind skipped to her favorite song. The one that helped her through some of the toughest times. It made her heart swell. She didn't know that Ciara was singing with her.

"When you get caught in the rain, with no where to run. When your distraught and in pain, without anyone. When you keep crying out to be saved, but nobody comes. And you feel so far away, that you just can't find your way home.
You can get there alone, it's okay. What you say is…."

He was crying. He was actually crying. It was now evening and Pan and Ciara still did not show up. The rain lashed at the window and lightning forked the sky. He wasn't going to give up. He knew they were in trouble, it was a gut feeling. The other Z team members were roaming the lands looking for them at Pan's usual hangouts. Trunks went back to her house to see if she might've returned, but it was empty.

He didn't bother with the light as he went into Pan's room. Her room never felt gloomier. He moved over to her dresser and picked up a picture frame. It was him and her at the tournament. His heart sank deep into his chest. In the picture, she had her arm draped around his shoulders and he had his arm around her waist and both were rather locking each other there in place. It was cute how they were, almost like a couple. They didn't know that it would look like that. They never did. His heart yearned for her to be pressed up against him again.

He sat the picture frame down and wiped his eyes clean. He needed to find her, both of them. He ran out of the house and flew into the storm.

Pan, if anything happened to you…..I would die. Please be okay.

"I can make it through the rain. I can stand up once again.
On my own And I know That I'm strong enough to mend And every time I feel afraid, I hold entirely to my faith And I live, one more day, and I make it through the rain"

Ciara sensed the man standing there, but not by his ki, just his presence. She didn't face him, but kept whispering the song. She could see him in the corner of her eye as the man who drove the SUV. He tapped on the glass to get her attention, but he didn't get it. So he gave up, and talked to her anyway as she murmured the lyrics. He knew he could hear him, even if she forced herself not to.

"I know in your time that your mother is dying of a heart disease that is so rare that they destroyed the only known remedy. Well what would you do if I told you I had it?" He pulled out a clear vile with a red liquid in it. Ciara turned her eyes to him, but still spoke the chorus. Her eyes were full of hatred and want for the vial. The man still wore the hat and sunglasses.

"You know," a smile pursed his lips," It was I that destroyed the remedy. It's very simple, so simple that it was never known to be used as an antidote. You see," He motioned to the vial," all it is, is rose dew mixed with blood of the same type and a plant found in Dorian called projicies. I bet you're real angry now, it had been all around you and you never knew. You traveled time for something that had been in your house for years and all around you and searched frantically for it and it was right under your nose." Pure hatred ran through her veins. He could sense it and it kicked up his high.

"It was also me, that gave her the disease. I, myself, am not from this time either. I am from your time. You see," He sat down on the floor and leaned against the glass," I had a crush on your mother when she was young you see, but she denied me. I asked her why and she wouldn't tell me, but then she married and had you with that bastard. I was beyond angry and I wanted her to feel the pain she left my heart." A twisted smile played over his lips," When she went into labor, I posed as a pediatrician in her care. After she had you in injected her with it. Thinking it was a pain medicine, she obliged, not knowing that in that needle was a disease that could kill the strongest." Ciara glared at him. Why was he spilling out all the secrets? Was he planning on killing her? Not if she got to him first.

"And if you keep falling down,
Don't you dare give in You will arise safe and sound So keep pressing on, step firstly And you'll find what you need to breathe then What you say is….."

Trunks stopped in midair in the pouring rain. He felt energy. Not ki energy, but he knew it belonged to Pan and perhaps Ciara. He held his hand over his chest where he felt heat rising even though the rain was icy cold and left his nerves numb. He looked around, trying to see if there was a source. Then a song whispered in his ear. He didn't know where it was coming from, or if he was going senile. But it was comfort.

Pan had the flashlight pointed down at her feet and she closed her eyes while still whispering the song. Her voice was dry and harsh, but she sang as best she could. Her mind was full of memories of Trunks, Ciara, Bra, Goten, and everyone else. Only a few days ago did she have her first kiss. It replayed in her mind over and over.

Trunks and Pan were walking down through the stands of the carnival, sharing a stick of cotton candy and a bag of popcorn. Trunks had taken the day off, just to have this one day with his best friend. Somehow the conversation turned over to Trunks' ex girlfriend.

"I dunno, she was like all the other ones. She did everything I wanted her too, and she just wanted my wallet," He said as he took a sip of the large soda in his hands. Pan grabbed a piece of the blue fluff and stuffed it in her mouth.

"Another gold digger?" Trunks nodded and Pan looked down," I'm sorry."

Trunks blinked at her, "Why?" Pan shrugged.

"I'm sorry that those women can't see the real you. Trunks the trustworthy friend, not Mr. Briefs the vice-president of CC." She stuffed another piece of blue cotton in her mouth," If they would see what went beyond the dollars then they would fall in love with you. But to bimbos like that, money is what makes the world go round." Trunks chuckled.

"And to you, what makes the world go round?"

"Gravitational pull of the Sun and the spinning of the axis." Trunks rolled his eyes but laughed at her joke, until they heard a woman approach them.

"Mr. Briefs?" The woman was holding a notepad and wore a skirt suit that showed she was a reporter. Pan had to hold her breath not to let the sigh of frustration escape her lips. Didn't they ever leave him alone?

"Yes?" Said Trunks, with a note of frustration and annoyance in his response. The woman smiled and clicked her pen and pressed it to the paper.

"I'm Haylie Korromorra, of the Tokyo Journal. I was just wondering if I could ask a few quick questions?" She smiled brightly at him and Trunks and Pan both narrowed their eyes at her.

"I'm trying to spend the day with my friend, so why don't you close your notes and walk away." He said flatly. Pan smirked at him with admiration.

"But only a few simple questions, it won't take long I promise." Her bright smile faded into a frown and she brushed her short blonde hair behind her ear.

"The answer is no. I already told your company not to interview me unless at a conference, so unless you want me to speak with your super visor, then I suggest you walk away and leave us alone." Trunks smiled at her, but his eyes were telling her to 'get lost.' She seemed to get the message because she put the pen back in the notebook and closed it.

"Well then, good day Mr. Briefs. I hope you and your girlfriend have a splendid time here." She gave them an annoyed and angry smile before stomping away. Pan frowned at her.

"That's not good. She called me your girlfriend." She said as the woman turned into the other parking lot. They made their own way to Trunks' car at the far end.

"Why's that?" He asked as he opened the door for her and getting in himself. He started the car and pulled into the road.

"She's paparazzi, she'll put it in the paper that your dating me and all hell will break loose between the media and not to mention our family." She frowned as she looked into the window. Trunks placed his hand on her thigh, which made her blush heavily.

"Don't worry, if she prints anything about that it'll get her in trouble. Mom was so angry about what they wrote about her that she declared she'll sue any company that writes a story without her permission. So all the press companies are terrified shitless." Pan smiled a little, and nudged a little in her seat. Trunks returned his hand to the steering wheel. "And what's so wrong about being my girlfriend anyway?"

Pan rolled her eyes," Have you seen the stories written about couples? Fans go nuts, reporters compare couples and their exes, they write about how fabulous they are or if it'll ever work out, then they'll make lies about how horrible the relationship is, and then about the devastating break up. I'm sorry, but I don't want my life in People Magazine all the time. If I want people to know more about me, I'll write an autobiography." Trunks laughed. "And they write crazy stuff about your girlfriends too. 'the one and only' 'Trunks curse of gold diggers' 'hot passion no longer lastin.' I mean they write entire magazines about you. I'd hate what they would write about me if I was in any."

Trunks smiled at her, "And why's that?"

Pan sighed, "Because it would say stuff like, 'Has Trunks finally gone desperate?' Or 'Doctors have determined that Trunks Briefs might be loosing eyesight by dating Pan Son.' They only write good things about good looking people."

Trunks pulled the car up to the guard rail. The sun was setting and Pan wanted to see it, so Trunks decided on the cliff above the highway. He turned off his car and Pan stared lazily at it.

"Well if what you say is true, then they would make you look like a goddess," said Trunks as he put his hand on her head rest.

"Please, everyone already thinks I'm a dyke." She crossed her legs and kept her eyes on the dying sun.

"Then they're wrong, because I see you as nothing less than beautiful." Trunks smiled at her and Pan could feel the heat rush in her cheeks.

"Shut up Trunks." She knew he was only telling her that to make her feel better. He didn't like it when she was down.

"No, I'm serious Pan," He lifted her chin with his thumb and locked his eyes on her raven ones, "I think that you are the most beautiful woman to ever come upon me. No one knows me like you, and I also know you very well." He bent his head down low to her and brushed his lips against his own. The touch was tender but there was indeed a spark of passion. He took her lip into his and nibbled on it sexually. She parted her mouth to let his tongue slip through, which he obliged and let it circle and explore her mouth. After a few moments they parted, but Trunks still had her in his arms.

"Whoa….I guess some magazines aren't lying. You are a great kisser.' said Pan in aghast.

"What do you mean?" Trunks said playfully. He liked the compliment Pan gave him.

"You got a ten out ten in Daisuki Times for being the best kisser."

"You read too many magazines." He held her to him and brushed the hair out of her face. "Don't ever think that you aren't pretty, because you are." He whispered and kissed her lips gently. Pan stared at him with her eyes glistening from threatening tears. He wiped them away and smiled at her.

"Trunks." she whispered.

"Hm?"

"That….that was my first." He smiled more and tilted his head down again.

"Well then this will be your second." They met in another hot kiss, but with more passion. Trunks made his way down to her neck and she ruffled his hair with her fingers. She tasted magnificent. It was either vanilla or cinnamon, he couldn't tell because he senses were all in a fritz. But she was beautiful, and he had now come out with the truth. His actions spoke louder than words. And so did hers.

Pan smiled, but then frowned and tears glistened down her cheeks.

" And when the wind blows.
And shadows grow close Don't be afraid There's nothing you can't face And should tell you You'll never pull through Don't hesitate Stand up and say…"

Tears streamed down Ciara's face, but she kept her words to the lyrics. He was going to kill her, and her mother. He didn't want them to exist. And if he killed Pan early, she wouldn't. Anger rose in her like a coiling snake ready to strike. But she had to stay under control, don't let your enemy get under your skin. He was toying with her as he pressed his back against the glass and lit up a cigarette and took a long drag from it. He had her. Or at least he thought he had her.

Just a few more minutes. Hold in there. Don't break it.

Ciara closed her eyes and concentrated her energy in the middle of her chest, letting it build up inside her. The snake was now curling up to sleep. Her hair swayed like she was in water, and the man saw this.

"Hey! What are you doing! Whatever it is, it won't work!" But he was starting to panic. Her energy was rising deep within her and her hair moving more frantically. Her body slowly began to rise inches off the ground, but her body was stiff as a board. She kept the energy flowing. It didn't leave her body like the way ki does when you power up. She wasn't powering up; she was gathering. It flowed through her veins, and made her skin glow. The man pounded on the glass telling her to stop, but she couldn't hear him. All her senses were out of her body scouting.

Pan had her eyes closed, but she still saw light. It was blinding her. She fumbled for the flashlight blindly and turned it off, but the light remained. Now the light was more comfortable and soothing. She wanted to run to it, but she was still trapped in the box. Instead the light came to her. It flowed around her and making it's way into her skin. It flowed through her and warming her spirits. She sang louder and with more energy and it became stronger. Oddly, she didn't feel afraid or angry. It was like the light was numbing her emotions. She was happy, but not a good happy. Was it because she was dying?

Trunks flew faster as the heat grew warmer with every mile he took. Rain stung his eyes, but he couldn't feel the cold. Then he spotted small dense light over the horizon. He flew over to it, realizing the song that echoed mist fully in his ears was louder. Then he realized that he was actually hearing somebody singing. His strong Saiyan hearing could hear someone singing the song that played in his mind, but how if they were so far away?

Balls of light were around him and flew past him where the light source was. He flew after them, wondering if he had finally gone senile. The voice rang in his head and his soaked clothes weighed him down. He saw the balls of light gather and land on the ground. He hovered over them and watched them sink into the ground. Light showed up from the ground as each one seeped through the soil. Then it hit him. Someone was gathering this energy from under ground. The voice was louder, but still muffled. Why didn't he recognize it at first!

Trunks dove onto the ground on his hands and knees where the light was gathering.

"Pan! Pan, can you hear me! Is that you!"

Pan gasped and her eyes flew open. Was it real? Did she really hear him? She was afraid to answer. Afraid that it was all in her head. She wanted to be with him, so badly. Was her mind playing tricks? Then she heard him again.

"Pan! Is that you!"

Pan started crying hysterically," Trunks! It's me! Help!" The light was gone and her oxygen was running low. She felt her nose dribble blood and she felt sick and coughed a fit.

"Don't stop singing that song! C'mon, keep singing!" Trunks began to dig his hands into the dirt and flung it frantically to the side. Tears streamed down his face. He found her. He actually found her. He dug like a dog to get her free, but it seemed like endless dirt. He shot a ki blast into the air and it exploded in the rain night sky. He only hoped that the others saw it. He sent three more after that until he continued with his frantic digging.

Pan sung as she chocked on tears and her throat was sore. But it brought back the light. She could hear Trunks digging above her ,but he seemed so high up. Was he going to reach her in time. Yes, he was. She wasn't going to think that when it came so close.

Ciara repeated the song as her energy circled into her then was released into the air where it disappeared. The man was pounding on the glass and Ciara turned to him and smiled. He found her asshole! She's gonna be okay.

"And if you keep falling down,
Don't you dare give in You will arise safe and sound So keep pressing on step firstly And you'll find what you need to breathe then What you say is….."

"That's it Pan, keep on singing!" Trunks had already dug a hole that was around three or four feet deep. He could hear her voice go hoarse, but she had to keep singing. It gave him energy to get her out. Under ground Pan was feeling light headed but continued with the song.

"C'mon Pan!" Trunks shouted with each handful of dirt he flew out, "Keep it coming Pan! I won't lose you! I'm here for you! I love you too much to let you go!" The rain made it harder to dig since the hole was filling with water and quickly. He wasn't going to lose her, not when she was so close.

" And when the wind blows.
And shadows grow close Don't be afraid There's nothing you can't face And should tell you You'll never pull through Don't hesitate Stand up and say…"

He felt something hard in the mud. He wiped it away and saw a box, but the rain didn't allow him to see who it was. But he knew it was her. She was still singing.

"Pan I'm gonna get you out!" Trunks wiped the mud off and could see Pan's outline. He punched the box, with no reaction, not a crack. He began pounding it. He even went Super Saiyan, but still it didn't break.

It began to be very hard for Pan to sing when she was so close to freedom, but still behind in the trap. She wasn't going to lose him, not when he was right above her. She took a breath and screamed the last verse.

The light circled Pan's torso and she disappeared with it. Trunks' heart fell into pieces.

"PAN!" Then light welled up beside him and Pan's body appeared next to his knees. She was gasping for air and her eyes mixed with the tears. There was Trunks before her as a Super Saiyan, covered in mud and soaked. She jumped into his arms and cried hysterically. Trunks pat her head and rocked her.

"It's okay Panny, it's all okay. Nothing is going to happen Pan Chan." He whispered in her ear. She held onto her knight that had come to rescue her, as if she were afraid if she let go, he would be gone. Trunks picked her up and held her to his chest. "Come on, let's go home."

Pan shook her head, "What about Ciara?"

"I'll leave you at the house and go look for her. Everyone is out looking for you two. What happened?" He took off into the sky and she laid her head against his soaked chest.

"I don't….remember…."She felt the back of her neck that was extremely sore. But she managed to grin, just a tiny bit. "I love you Trunks. I really do."

Trunks smiled at her and brushed her hair out of her eyes, "Me too Pan. I also love me." Usually Pan would playfully punch his arm, but she just smiled. Laughter and joking was their best way to get through tough times. "I love you too." He kissed her lips and they were stuck in a muddy embrace.

(A/n - I do not own this song. It belongs to Mariah Carey. I just love it and thought it would suit this part of the story. So no sue for you. Nyah.:P Also, I don't own a thing. If I did i would make Vegeta where a pink dress and Goten would be my bitch :D)