CHAPTER 6:
Marriage is Like a Meal

One hour until the wedding. Pan stood there, trembling in her gown. She hugged her arms to herself, hoping she was just shaking from the cold. The door was right behind her, the one that would lead her out to the most humiliating moment of her life, all for a stupid, stupid dragonball. A young woman was before her, telling her something that she couldn't hear. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine how she and Trunks could ever really act the same toward each other after this. Although Goku was humored by the whole ordeal, he didn't seem to realize that this moment would change her in some way, forever. Whenever she'd really get married, officially, on Earth, she'd be thinking of this day and wondering how she could possibly marry someone else after she'd sworn her life away to Trunks, of all people.

Someone was nudging her, and she opened her eyes to see a mirror held up to her face. Apparently, the girl was saying she had fixed a few stray hairs that were making their way out of the bun on her head. The girl continued to babble something, but Pan didn't care. She stared at herself, in awe of the fact that she looked so much like her grandma when she was younger. I wonder what Grandma Chi Chi would ever say if she found out about this? Pan got this terrible gut feeling about the consequences and felt like she might panic. I hope she never finds out! A scowl formed on her face as her brows knotted in thought. I wouldn't have to worry, though. She'd blame all of this on Grandpa... Pan pondered this, and suddenly began to feel a little angrier. It IS all of Grandpa's fault! Her fists clenched as she growled into the mirror. What am I doing here? Grandpa is out there right now, reserving a first row seat to my fake wedding with Trunks, who despises me and wishes I never came on the trip, while I have to wear a bright pink dress and after it's all over, strip all of my clothes away for a crappy honeymoon in a marble jail cell! Pan was beginning to seethe in rage. Several items in the room began to shake with the rising of her ki, but she had no interest in masking it. Let Grandpa know how angry I am! I'm not going to just sit here and take this while he makes a joke of this later with Krillin over dinner. She couldn't take it anymore. The thought of her being the laughing stock of all her family's friends after this...!

She smacked the mirror away from the girl, letting it shatter on the floor, and released a raging scream that seemed to tear the moon apart. Everything in the room, now, was trembling violently with her anger. The girl who had been tending her ran out the doorway, flailing her arms as if abandoning ship, and yelling something in her native tongue to all those who were experiencing the earthquake, most likely telling them to run for their lives. Pan stood there, shaking in a fury as the door slowly closed, shutting her out from the rest of her life. Seven years bad luck littered the floor by her feet. Something stirred inside her, a hidden power she'd never be able to reach, but it fueled her, and enraged her, and swallowed her while. Seeing the world turn red before her eyes, she screamed curses at the top of her lungs, backed by every ounce of ki that she could summon forth: "There had BETTER be a dragonball in that Temple, because if I went through all of this for nothing, someone's going to PAY!"

––––––––

Trunks felt it long before the people started screaming in the hallways. One hour till the wedding, and already, everyone's lives were being ruined. What did she do now? He shook his head, ridding her from his thoughts, and began to concentrate more on the robot that was beginning to spin in terror. While Trunks was sitting on the couch, trying to relax and get his thoughts together, Giru was going berserk in the corner.

"Giru senses danger! Danger! Danger! Trunks in danger!" Giru began knocking into the wall in madness.

"Easy, Giru, it's just Pan letting out her anger about the whole mess, and I don't blame her." Trunks reached out his arms. "Come here, Giru." When the robot didn't respond to him, he added, "I'll protect you if she comes in, don't worry." He smiled a bit to the robot that was flailing its arms wildly. Goku had gone back to the ship earlier, to eat something, and had forgotten to lock Giru in the bedroom. Naturally, the robot followed Goku and ended up in Trunks' custody, like always, it seemed.

Giru was not easing up. Suddenly, a great quake, strong enough to knock down several lamps in his room, caused Trunks to stand in worry. What was that? Did Pan do that? His thoughts were interrupted by the robot screaming "Danger approaching! Danger approaching!" and ducking behind the couch.

The door slammed open, cracking the wall with its impact. Dust flew everywhere from the incredible force. Trunks felt his heart race in panic, and backed up against the wall. In the doorway, the most terrible, most frightening woman in all the universe, stood before him in a rage.

What the hell is Chi Chi doing here! Trunks felt like he was going to melt in fear. His heart was going too fast, and he was unable to breathe. His eyes were wide in terror, his fingers gripping the wall as if his life were dependent on it.

"I want to know if YOU know what WE have to do AFTER we are MARRIED!" She stood there, steam practically rising from her figure, her hands on her hips, her scowl freezing any warmth there was left in Trunks' blood.

"P... Pan!"

"Well!" Her glare made his voice catch in his throat.

"Pan, is that you in there? What have you done with Pan!"

"I came to let you know that you shouldn't expect to wear that...that..." at this, her voice faltered, as her eyes wandered down to what Trunks was wearing. "That...?" Trunks watched as her eyes grew large, and she opened her mouth, at a loss for words. Suddenly, she seemed to be choking, and he would have gotten up to check on her if it weren't for the fact that his legs had become jelly and he felt light-headed.

"You... you..." Her choking became more apparent, and he realized suddenly, it actually was laughter she was trying to hold in, but was incredibly unsuccessful about it. "What... What are you wearing!" At this, she burst out laughing, unable to hide it anymore.

His eyes narrowed. "I should be asking the same of you, Pan." His heart was still racing from before, but he was beginning to get feeling back in his legs. He observed her outfit, and noted that it actually would have been quite pretty if it weren't for the flaring neon pink fabric it was made from. "Honestly, Pan, I knew you had a thing about dresses, but you didn't have to wear one that disgraces the entire concept of a 'beautiful' wedding."

"Grrr," Pan scowled toward him, clenching her fists tightly, appearing to be entering her 'rage' mode again for a split second. However, before Trunks felt the need to slap her silly before another rampage broke out, she suddenly became calm. Too calm. Trunks eyed her warily, wondering what could possibly be on her mind.

"Well, Trunks, I don't think you'll have to worry too long about me wearing this super ugly rag. And you'll most likely be delighted to hear the good news about your own ... dress..." She snickered to herself, as her eyes wandered his outfit again. He fought off a blush, and glared at her instead. "You and I have to strip after the wedding."

"WHAT?"

"Yes, according to Hik... Hika .. ah.. that Hiccup guy, whatever his name was, apparently we aren't allowed to wear any clothes in the Temple. Not even a towel. Just thought you'd like to know."

"What.. do.. you.. mean," he narrowed his eyes.

"Danger! Danger! Trunks and Pan both are Danger! Giru! Giru!" The robot flew out from behind the couch, and zipped through the open doorway before either could look in time.

When both their eyes landed on the doorway, however, Goku suddenly entered, holding and observing a flailing robot. "Wow! He was about to leave, and smacked right into me! Trunks, you'd never guess what..." When Goku looked up and saw both Pan and Trunks before him, he stopped and released the robot which, in a panic, flew out of the room for the second time. "Oh wow! You guys look great!"

Pan calmly waved Goku's comment away, and said flatly, "We were just commenting on how we have to be naked when we enter the Temple."

"Okay. You know, there are a lot of people outside. Apparently word spread fast that two aliens were getting married in their chapel, and practically the whole city is gathered here!"

"Grandpa! I don't think you heard me right. I said we have to be naked!"

"What's so bad about that, Pan? I'm naked all the time. You've seen me naked before." He tilted his head toward his granddaughter.

"Unlike you, Grandpa, I actually have a bit of modesty."

Goku knotted his brow a bit. "Listen, Pan. And this goes for you too, Trunks." He thought a bit before he continued, "Think of this like... like a meal."

"A meal?" Trunks raised his eyebrow. Pan crossed her arms in expectation.

"Yes. At first you are so hungry, the first few bites are the best. You eat them as fast as you can, but you enjoy every last crumb. After a while, your stomach begins to get a bit full, and you take things more slowly..."

Leave it to Goku, to compare marriage to food, Trunks thought bitterly.

"...and then after a while, it begins to get painful to eat anything else. But you know, in the long run, you have something to look forward to: dessert! After you conquer your problems, you are met with the most delicious part of all. And when you walk away, you feel fulfilled."

"Grandpa, thanks for being so philosophical with us, but that still doesn't solve how we're going to be naked."

"Well.. I guess that could also be compared to food. You see, imagine an orange –"

"Grandpa! You know what, just forget it. I just don't care anymore. Trunks, I hate you. I want you to know how much I hate you before I do this. There. I got it out." Pan walked out of the room as if she had just commented on the weather.

Trunks stared after her, open-mouthed, not even able to blink as her words were processed in his head. He jerked out of his state when he felt Goku patting his back. He looked down to see Goku grinning widely at him.

"What is so funny, Goku?" Trunks wanted to scowl at him, but didn't have the heart.

"You know what, Trunks? I think you will fall in love with her one day." Trunks didn't even care to boggle at the twelve year old.

Trunks shook his head dejectedly, "Goku, what have I said about you saying these things?"

"I know, I know. But I don't want you to disregard your emotions just because of your pride. Pan needs to know she is appreciated, even though she puts on an act that she can fend for herself all the time."

"I know, Goku. And, I'll remember that."

"Trunks, I want you to promise something for me."

Trunks frowned at Goku. "What is it?"

The little boy sighed and shifted on his feet a bit, looking down. "I want to be with Pan, and Gohan and Goten and Chi Chi for a long time after we return from space. But, I know how things work out, and somehow I always manage to go away for long periods of time. If I do go away again for any reason, which I hope not to do, but I will if I must, Pan will most likely be affected by it." Goku looked up at Trunks. "Promise me, if I go away, that you'll take care of her. Make sure she's okay. Stop by every once in a while to visit, you know."

Trunks gave a sad smile to Goku. "Of course I promise that. You know," Trunks' eyes became happier and he nudged Goku in the side, "I'll be her husband, after all." He found himself chuckling a bit while the boy smiled. "Or her wife, depending if she grows up to be anything like Chi Chi." At that, both of them laughed openly, until Goku snapped out of it, realizing what Trunks was implying about him, and smacked Trunks on the leg. "Ow!"

A cough by the door caught both of their attentions. A short pink woman dressed in white bowed slightly to them. She smiled brightly and gestured toward Trunks, saying, "Itbe time."

"Oh man..." Trunks all of a sudden felt really nervous. "Oh no, Goku, I don't know if I can do this..."

Goku patted his back encouragingly. "It'll go fine. Even if you stumble on a line, in the end, you'll be married anyway."

That's why I'm nervous. There's really no way out of this, now... Trunks felt himself walking in a daze toward the woman. Just... grab the dragonball and run... He sighed.

"This of it this way, Trunks. You have something really good to look forward to! After the wedding, there'll loads and loads of food!"

Trunks smiled to himself as he felt himself leave the room. Goku will never change.

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9/20/04