So it's taken me forever to update this. I have had this chapter written since last summer, but just never posted it. I finally got the urge to write on this again, so I'm working on chapter 6. We'll see how well I do with keeping up on my work this time around. It's another song fic chapter, so I don't own the Avril song I used so no suing :P
I hope you enjoy, and comments are always welcomed. I still think I've written pretty well on this because I look back over a year later and see that I like what I've written. Guess that says something for myself, I think. Anyway, R&R. All characters are not mine, except for Jun, Shane, and Setsei most importantly.
Chapter 5: Someone Does Care Pan
Pan looked up, stopping mid sob. She was surprised at being disturbed, and angry too. Someone had dared to disturb her. Her vision was blurry through all of her tears, but she recognized the figure and her voice after a few moments. "Go away Setsei."
I'm not afraid of anything
I just need to know that I can breathe
And I don't need much of anything
But suddenly, suddenly
"Pan, I may not know you very well. Heck, I just met you today. But I do know that you've been acting strangely ever since this morning. Let me help."
"You can help me by going away," Pan answered in a cold voice.
"I will not leave until you tell me what's wrong!" Setsei firmly stood her ground and clenched her fists.
I am small and the world is big
All around me is fast moving
Surrounded by so many things
Suddenly, suddenly
Pan's anger rose throughout her body. Why couldn't she be left alone in peace to cry and think? Couldn't a person get that these days? Unnoticeable to Setsei, she began forming a small ki ball in her clenched fist. It wouldn't hurt her much, just enough to scratch the girl and scare her off. "Go. Away. Setsei. Now."
"Listen Pan. You need someone to talk to. I saw you fly here. I know you aren't human and whatever's gotten you upset is pretty bad. Getting it off of your chest will help you, I promise. Trust me."
"NO!" Pan shouted and thrust her hand forward, the ki ball aimed right at Setsei's stomach.
How does it feel
to be
Different from me
Are we the same?
How does it feel
To be
Different from me
Are we the same?
How does it feel?
Setsei's eyes grew wide as saucers. She froze in her place and could only watch as the softball sized ball headed straight for her. Some nerve in her mind told her that this would hurt. She braced herself, her clenched fists tightening even more in anticipation of the glowing ball.
Pan watched the ki ball hit Setsei square in the stomach. She saw the pain form on the younger girl's face, twisting as she cried out. She watched as Setsei fell to her knees, hands clutching the bleeding cut through her ripped white blouse. "Now, leave me be."
Setsei clenched her eyes shut. Tears slipped through and fell. The pain she felt tremoring through her body was more than she thought that small ball could contain. How she underestimated Pan. She clutched tightly at the stinging, burning cut on her stomach, hoping that it would dull some of the pain. "Why.. Pan?… Why?" she said through her sobs.
Pan couldn't help but watch the girl kneel in her spot and sob. She felt a pang of guilt. This small pang grew bigger and bigger until Pan couldn't believe what she'd done. How… How could I have been so cruel? I.. can't believe… why did I do that? "Setsei… I… I didn't mean to… I just got… too angry." She crawled over to the girl, and hugged her close.
Setsei's thoughts began jumping around. Wait.. she wounds me and then is sorry? Something's funny. Her anger got the better of her, that's all. Nothing more right? I still gotta find out what has her so upset in the first place.
Pan began digging around in a pack on her side. It was a simple first aid kit that she carried with her whenever she went exploring in the nearby forest. She found some soft cloth, and began dabbing at the wound with it, the blood staining the white cloth crimson. There wasn't much blood, but Pan knew that she had put too much power into that tiny ball for such a small girl.
Setsei watched as Pan cleaned up her wound. This girl is quite funny. At least she is kind, almost motherly. "Pan?"
Pan acknowledged her with a terse answer. "Yes?" She was more interested in getting the girl cleaned up. She sprayed some alcohol onto the wound, dabbing around it as Setsei hissed at the stinging sensation. She grabbed some cloth bandages and wrapped them around Setsei's stomach, fastening them with a small metal clip.
Setsei watched all of this in silence before she asked her question again. This time she asked in a softer voice. "Pan, will you tell me what's wrong? I don't mean to intrude, please don't take it as that. I just want to help you."
Pan considered what could happen if she told the girl. She could hide her heritage for now, that could easily be left from her story. But… she'd have to tell Setsei about her mother to explain why her father did what he did. The girl had been caring enough to befriend her and still was a friend even when Pan wounded her. "All right Setsei. I guess I can tell you my story, if you promise to never ever tell anyone."
I am young and I am free
But I get tired and I get weak
I get lost and I can't sleep
But suddenly, suddenly
"I promise Pan. I'll never tell a soul… Wild horses couldn't drag it from me," she added, quoting from Anne of Green Gables.
Pan took a deep breath, crawling back over to the weeping willow and resting against it. She motioned for Setsei to join her. As Setsei settled down, Pan began her story, first telling her about how her mother was killed sixteen years ago due to a drunk driver. She watched for any reaction from Setsei.
Setsei bowed her head. She had a bad feeling about that story. There was some memory in the back of her mind that tried to push forth, causing Setsei to remember the exact details. It suddenly burst forth, like a sudden flash of bright light. Her mother had told her something when she was younger, about the father she never really knew. "Um Pan? I think I remember that, but from a different point of view."
Pan looked confused. "Different point of view?"
Setsei nodded. "When I was younger, my mom told me a story about my non-birth dad. He liked to go drinking during the day, and never really worked a real job. One spring afternoon, he was driving home from a friend's private bar, drunk as ever. He always figured that he'd never wreck, but his theory was quite wrong because that day he crossed into the opposite lane of traffic, hitting another car head on at a speed of around 70 mph in a 45 mph zone, and killed the woman inside instantly. I can't recall the woman's first name, but I recall the last name was Son and it never dawned on me until now, but that was your mother, wasn't it?"
Pan was shocked. Her mouth hung open slightly, and she couldn't believe this odd twist of fate. She nodded dumbly, thinking this was some kind of joke. She knew that it wasn't though. Tears began forming. Anger began building, but it wasn't directed at Setsei. How could she be mad at the girl for something her non-birth father had done before she was born? She couldn't, and she knew it. She smiled weakly. "It's ironic, isn't it?"
How does it feel?
To be
Different from me
Are we the same?
How does it feel to be
Different from me
Are we the same?
How does it feel?
Setsei nodded. "I'm sorry Pan, so sorry."
Pan shook her head. "Don't be sorry for something that man did. It's not your fault. Anyway… I should finish…" She continued with her story, telling how her father had done his best to raise her right. She told how upset he'd been at his wife's death and she now knew he'd kept that hidden from her as best as he could. Pan then began to tell about what she'd found today- her father passed out drunk from hard liquor. "He'd obviously had a very bad bout of depression and was upset more than ever. I think, especially since next Friday is the anniversary of her death." Pan began sobbing again. She couldn't help but cry.
Setsei reeled from the information that she'd just found out and the information that she'd given Pan. She patted the girl's hand as she cried, letting her get it all out. "Shhh… just cry it all out Pan…."
Would you come force my hand?
Would you cry with my hand?
Ahh-ah…
Pan cried and sobbed for what seemed like an eternity to her. She had to help her father. She knew that he could do this again, and she'd be powerless to stop him. To her, he looked like he was an angry drunk and that was bad, since he was so powerful to begin with. A sparkling of her idea came back to her. Dragonballs… use the dragonballs… "Setsei?".
I am small and the world is big
But I'm not afraid of anything
Setsei looked at the tear-stained faced Pan. "Yeah?"
"If I tell you something that doesn't seem possible to you, but really is, would you believe me?"
Setsei looked confused. Something that doesn't seem possible, but really is? This doesn't make sense. "I will try to Pan, but that's all I can promise."
"What if there were these magic balls that you could gather? And when you had all of the balls, you could summon a magic dragon that would grant you any two wishes that you wanted? Anything?"
"That does seem very far-fetched. I've never read about anything like it."
"They aren't in books Setsei, but they are real. They are called dragonballs; baseball sized orange balls with a red star or stars in the center. There are seven dragonballs spread all over Earth, and if you collect all seven, then you can summon Shenron. Shenron is a big dragon who will grant you any two wishes you want. After the wishes are granted, the balls spread out all over the Earth, becoming inactive for a year. Trust me. They are real."
"It's still very hard to contemplate, Pan. I don't see how such things could exist."
"They were made by the guardian of Earth, Dende. Dende watches over the Earth, taking care of it."
How does it feel to be
Different from me
Are we the same?
How does it feel to be
Different from me
Are we the same?
"I.. um… okay Pan." Setsei didn't know what to say anymore. Pan didn't look like she was telling falsehoods. She just couldn't believe without some kind of proof.
"I can show you a dragonball, Setsei. My father keeps the four-star dragonball on the mantle. Would you like to see it?"
"Will I have time to? I need to be home soon…"
"You can stay the night with me, okay? That will give us plenty of time to talk."
"Are you sure it's okay? I mean, what about your dad?"
"My… dad… oh no…. I need to go check on him. I called my grandparents so they'll be with him. Come on. Let's go ask your mom if you can stay over. It'll be okay with my dad so don't worry. We gotta hurry!" Pan stood quickly, rubbing away any leftover tears from her eyes. She reached down and pulled Setsei to her feet quickly, Setsei wincing in pain. "Sorry Setsei. I didn't mean to do that."
Setsei nodded. "Don't worry about it. Let's just get to my house."
"Okay then… but we need to cover up that cut of yours. A ripped shirt isn't something your mom would want to see. Hmm…" Pan reached into her pocket, grabbing a capsule. She pushed the release button and the capsule poofed open, leaving in its place a blue sweatshirt. "Here, tie this around your waist. You can have it for all I care."
Setsei took the sweater and tied it around her waist. She saw that it covered her ripped shirt perfectly. "Now we can go."
It turned out that Setsei's house was only one block from the park. Setsei lived in a fancy neighborhood like Shane and his sister did, but their house wasn't as fancy. It had no double carport, no pool or tennis court behind it, no hedge bushes in the front yard, just a simple brick ranch style house. Setsei led Pan inside and into what was the kitchen. Her mother was busy preparing dinner, and Pan could smell fresh chicken and green beans, amongst other things. She looked up at Setsei's mother, who appeared to be about forty years old. She had waist length brown hair that was in a low ponytail, and wore a simple baby blue dress. "Mom? I'd like you to meet a new friend of mine. Pan, my mom. Mom, Pan."
Setsei's mother turned away from the stove and smiled down at the two girls. "It's nice to meet you, Pan. Setsei hasn't made any new friends since we moved here so I'm very glad that she met you."
Pan bowed in respect to the older woman. "It's nice to meet you too ma'am."
"Mom, Pan would like to know if I could stay overnight with her. Her dad said it was okay."
"I don't see why not. Where do you live Pan?"
"The 409 Mountain district. I know it's very far from the city, but I fly a copter and I can show you my license if you wish. I'm advanced at it, and I don't fly recklessly. I can't do that if I wish to keep my license." She quickly dug around in her pack again, pulling out the red plastic card and handed it to Setsei's mom.
Setsei's mom looked closely at the card. "Hmm… you seem pretty responsible, Pan." She handed it back to Pan. "Setsei, as long as you behave yourself you can stay with Pan. What's your father's name Pan?"
"Son Gohan," answered Pan.
"Hmm.. I think I know him… but I'm not sure."
"He designs websites for small businesses if that helps any," added Pan.
"Ahh… I've seen his business cards then. Well go on upstairs and pack an overnight bag, Setsei. You can show Pan your room while you're at it."
"Yes mom. Come on Pan!" Setsei smiled and grabbed Pan's arm, dragging her toward the hallway.
Setsei's mom turned back to fixing dinner. It's good to see Setsei finally making some friends. Sometimes her being super smart hinders her social skills. She began whistling a small tune, happy to see that Setsei finally had a smile on her face.
As Pan was dragged into Setsei's room, she was surprised to that the room was covered in pictures and posters. She had thought that since Setsei was a genius that her room would be plain and simple with lots of different books. Instead, there were all kinds of posters from different animes, as well as a few of different bands. Pan recognized one from Mellow Paine. She pointed this out. "You like Mellow Paine too? They don't seem like something you'd listen to."
"Well, I like the haunting melodies. The lyrics are superb because you can just feel the angst dripping from each note," answered Setsei from within her closet.
"Heh okies. I never dwelled that deep into their music. I just like the beat."
"You should try to sometime though. The lyrics just make more sense." Setsei crawled back out of the closet, a red duffel bag in her hand. She walked over to her dresser, and quickly pulled some clothes out of it, shoving them into the bag.
"Maybe you can show me sometime." She watched Setsei walk into the small bathroom adjoined to her room.
"That'd work. We could do it tonight if you wanted."
"We could." Setsei came back into the room, overnight bag slung over her shoulder. She had changed out of her ripped shirt into a simple red and white baseball shirt.
"I'm ready to go. Let's go tell my mom that we're leaving."
They quickly said their goodbyes to Setsei's mom and began walking down the street. The sun had just started to set, and Pan realized that she was getting hungry. She guessed that Setsei was too. Then she realized that there wouldn't be any dinner waiting for her. Hell, no one knew where she was for that matter. Her mind wandered to her father and she hoped that her grandma had understood her garbled message and gone to help him. She stared down at the ground miserably.
Setsei noticed this. "What's the matter Pan?"
"Oh nothing… just I wonder how my dad's doing."
"Well, let's hurry up and get in your…." Setsei was cut off by a quick flash of light.
Pan looked up to see Goku standing before her in his orange and blue gi. She was quite surprised. "There you are Pan! I thought I sensed your ki around here." He then noticed another girl with her. "And here's a friend of yours too! Hi Pan's friend. I'm Son Goku!" He was quite happy considering what had happened to his oldest son.
"Grandpa? How's my dad?" Pan asked, worry in her voice.
Goku knelt down to Pan's level. "He's doing fine Pan. He just woke up a bit ago and is resting in bed. I came to find you, so that you could talk to him. I know it must have been quite a shock for you to find him like that." Pan only nodded. "Who's your friend?" Goku asked, gesturing toward Setsei.
"This is Setsei. I asked her to stay the night with me. That's okay right?"
"Your dad shouldn't mind Pan. Now, let's get you back home."
"Are we all going to be able to fit in Pan's copter Mr. Son?" asked Setsei curiously.
"Copter? Oh no. We're not taking Pan's copter. I'm going to use instant transmission. It's so much faster."
A look of confusion was plastered across Setsei's face. "I've never heard of such transportation. What kind of scientific formula is used?"
"Um… I… well… I'll tell you later Setsei. Just hold onto my arm," instructed Pan, as she held her grandfather's hand. Setsei grabbed her hand.
"Ok…" Goku suddenly blinking out cut off any more questions that Setsei may have had. They quickly reappeared outside Pan's house, and Setsei glanced around at her surroundings, quickly soaking in the details. "The sky… is so bright…" she muttered as the first stars of the night became visible. The full moon illuminated the blue on Pan's house. Setsei noticed that only a few rooms had lights lit in them.
Pan barely heard what Setsei said. She was beginning to get nervous about what her father would say and think. Or what her grandma would say about her running off. She hoped it wouldn't mean trouble. Goku didn't seem mad about her running, but then again he was almost always happy. "Come on Setsei. Let's go inside." The three of them of them walked inside the house, as the door softly shut behind them.