I wrote Pan in a more sensitive light than I usually do for this one. I was remembering the horror story that was middle school when I decided to write this, so bear with me.

In this short, Pan isn't as close to Bra and Marron as I usually make her, and she's a shy loner and doesn't train very often, rather than being outgoing and outspoken like I usually do. No pairing in this shot, just parent-child fluff, family fluff, and the struggles that come with being a teenager. She's a sophomore in high school, and an OC, her older brother, who will be named Goken as well as two years older, will be present.

This was supposed to be my first story where I explored emotional abuse via bullying, but I couldn't get it off of the ground and the idea was tucked away in the Drabble folder on my USB.

Pan slammed the car door roughly and stormed up the driveway to her home, trying desperately to stop the tears from flowing down her puffy, reddened cheeks. Her frame shook with silent sobs as she hugged herself with one arm, shoving her house key into the lock with the other. The tumblers gave and she shoved the key back into her pocket and turned the knob, letting herself into the small, cozy abode. The door swung shut behind the distraught teen as she threw her weight against it, wiping her face with one of the sleeves of her shirt as the memories of the day washed over her mind.

"Well," a nasally, shrill voice echoed slightly in the small bathroom, "if it isn't the eighth wonder of the world. Pan Whaley Son." Pan, who was in the process of washing her hands after a trip to the loo, looked up in partial surprise and fear as the group of cheerleaders stood in a row, blocking the only way out of the restroom. Worse, she was the only other girl in there, meaning she was completely at their mercy.

The cheerleaders didn't like her. It was odd, because they absolutely adored her older brother, who was everything she wasn't. Where he was the star football player, captain of the team, as sharp in the classroom as their father, incredibly popular, and adored by everyone, Pan was the polar opposite. She kept to herself, spent the majority of her time reading, writing, and listening to music. Socializing didn't come easy to her; connecting with other kids her age was completely foreign, beyond her grasp.

The cheerleaders made fun of her because she was built like her mother. Slim, but thicker in the hips and thighs than most girls at the school, and was blessed with decently sized breasts. It didn't help her case that she was so short, all that did was add more exaggeration to her curves and make her hips look wider than they really were. She tried to hide it under oversized shirts, loose jeans, and pullovers, but there was only so much she could do.

Tall, slim and trim was the widely accepted female build at Orange Star, not the short and curvy, but, for some reason, Pan always caught the brunt of the cheerleader's sordid mistreatment. She expected it had to do with the fact that, despite her reclusiveness, she was still the granddaughter of the World's Savior, Hercule Satan and, therefore, a much more highly valued target.

"Look at her, Nel," one of the four girls nudged the head cheerleader, "she's so scared she's shaking."

"You know," Nel stalked over to the shorter girl, her sharp silver eyes flicking up and down her form, "those huge clothes you always wear only make you look fatter, but I guess we can't blame you for trying, huh?"

"You should really consider liposuction or bypass surgery," the second girl, deeply tanned with auburn hair and pale green eyes, jeered, "Maybe you'll look somewhat normal and less like the Goodwill blimp."

"It's hard to believe that you and Son-kun are from the same family," Nel waved a hand dismissively at Pan, "I mean, he's AMAZING, and you're just… gross. All you do is read and write, it's a wonder how you haven't put on any more weight than you already have."

Pan, who was clinging on to the edge of the sink she was standing in front of, looked up at the tall girl with wide, glossy brown eyes, "What," she stuttered, "what did I ever do to you? Why do you always go out of your way to make me miserable?"

Nel shrugged, "Well, Whaleasaurus," she poked Pan in the chest mockingly, "you make it so damn easy. You're a fucking disgrace to your grandfather. At least Son-kun does his best to somehow live up to the legend your Grandpa created. You're just a waste of air and space. Your mom and dad should've stopped having kids after Goken because, to be honest, you're NOTHING compared to him."

The youngest Son bit her lip to fight off the wave of tears that threatened to overcome her, and weaved around the girls, fleeing the room at once. The four cheerleaders slapped hands, gushing over the Son's despair…

"Panny?"

Pan jerked and wiped furiously at her face, forcing her sobs to halt as her father peeked out of his study, his glasses askew haphazardly on his face and a book on hand. He regarded his youngest child, clearly concerned, "Sweet pea, what's wrong? Were you crying just now? Where's Goken?"

"H-he had football practice," her voice was subdued, barely concealing her sorrow, "I'm fine, Papa, really."

"You say that a lot," the worried father observed, placing the book he held on a side table and removed his glasses, indicating his seriousness, "clearly you're not, and I'm an idiot for not noticing it sooner."

"Papa—" Pan tried to speak up, but her father was having none of it.

Gohan shook his head, "no, I'm your Dad, I'm supposed to know when you're not okay, when you're lying about how you really feel. Panny," he sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "come here, Princess." Seeing no way out, the youngest Son padded over to her father, stopping a foot in front of him, eyes glued on her feet, covered by dark purple converse. She gave a sharp jerk as warm, strong, incredibly comforting arms wrapped around her, and then, remembering who it was, she allowed herself to melt into the embrace happily.

"I remember the time when you used to tell me everything," Gohan whispered, rubbing his daughter's back comfortingly, "everything that bothered you or made you upset, angry, or hurt you… and then you started middle school, and it was like you became a completely different Pan-chan, kiddo."

That's when IT started, Pan thought to herself, cuddling closer to her father, "Papa, I… I'm sorry. It just… things were a bit… I can't explain it."

"They were bullying you, weren't they?" At her tensing up and silence, the eldest Son brother kissed the top of her head, "you don't have to explain anything to me, sweet heart, I know how it is. When I first started going to public school, I was bullied, too, but I didn't get it because I didn't grow up around other kids. Your mother had to explain it to me."

"You were lucky, then, Papa," Pan mumbled, her tearful voice muffled by his shirt, "I just don't understand. Is it really so bad that Go-nii and I are so different?"

"No, it's not," Gohan gently cupped his daughter's face, coaxing her to look up at him, "seriously, Panny, if we all had the same interests, wants, and desires, then where's the individuality in the world? Honestly," he gave her a teasing grin, "I'm glad you're more interested in your books than you are in guys. Saves me the trouble of beating them up when they come calling."

"Why do they do it, though?" Pan mumbled, "they've always got something pick at. My weight, my figure, my reading and writing… There's always something about me that they have to make sure that I know they don't like."

"Who are 'they'?"

"The head cheerleader and her friends... and Goken's football friends."

"You can't help the fact that you're built like your mother, Pan-chan, and, if they're really bothering you as much as you say, then they're obviously jealous because you're prettier and more attractive than they are."

(A/N: Pan's not 'thick' thick, she's a healthy size. She's just not as thin as the stereotypical high school cheerleader would be, meaning that these girls are probably of the anorexic variety.)

"Hmph," Pan mumbled, "if that was the truth, then the boys wouldn't make whale sounds whenever they see me in the hall."

"Have you considered the fact that your clothing choices might have something to do with that?" This voice came from neither father nor daughter, and both of them looked up as Videl came down the stairs, a concerned look on her face. She smiled softly and ruffled Pan's wavy hair, "baby, no offense, but you dress yourself like you're at least three times bigger than you actually are."

"I'm three times bigger than those cheerleaders, though," she muttered darkly, and her mother sighed, rolling her eyes, and then frowned deeply as something occurred to her, "I know I shouldn't have been eavesdropping on the two of you from upstairs, but," she touched her daughter's cheek, "why didn't you tell your brother about this?"

"What's the point?" Pan asked, "he'll be off to college next year, and what good will that do me? It's not like they can physically hurt me, Mama."

"I know, but…" Videl was clearly worried and upset, "it's his job to look after you when we can't. How long has this been going on?"

"Since the sixth grade." The sorrowful girl mumbled, and, before she could continue, the trio heard the tell-tale sound of multiple cars pulling up in the driveway. Goken's cheery voice was easy to pick out, amongst giggling, nasally fawning, and other masculine voices laughing and cajoling around. It was Pan's worse nightmare, and she hurriedly disentangled herself from both her parents and made a hasty retreat to her room.

(A/N: Where I'm from, sixth grade is when middle school starts.)

"What on… Panny?" Videl called after her daughter, but only heard her bedroom door slam shut in response. The woman frowned, clearly concerned, but her husband grasped her hand, "she just wants to be alone."

"Hey, Pops, Ma," Goken rounded the corner, followed by three of the four girls who'd harassed Pan in the bathroom after school just hours earlier, and two guys that were also on the football team, "Coach let us out of practice early, so the guys and I are gonna play a little pickup game in the backyard before we do our homework. Is that alright?"

"Sure," Videl nodded, "just the three of you? And why are they," she shot a subtle, venomous look at the three cheerleaders, "here? Don't tell me you're dating one of them. I thought you and Rhea were still together."

"We just came to watch, Mrs. Son," Nel chirped, "is Pan around by any chance?"

"Rey and I are still dating, mom, jeeze," Goken rolled his eyes, "and where is Panny? I didn't see her car in the lot when I was headed to the fieldhouse for practice."

"Pan is taking nap, and it's best that you don't disturb her," Gohan's voice was uncharacteristically cold as he regarded the girls, "why would you even ask? If Pan were friends with you, she probably would've told us about you by now, but she hasn't."

"Uh…"

"Pops?" Goken waved his friends towards the backyard and, when they were gone, he walked over to his parents, confused, "something's wrong, isn't it?" His mother was quick to oblige him, "Oh, yes, would you care to explain to me why you're blissfully unaware of the fact that those hussies get their kicks by harassing and belittling your little sister?"

"I… What? Mom, Nel, Ren, and Gira are cool," the Son scratched the back of his head, "if they were bothering Pan, I would've known…"

"You know how private your sister is, Goken," Gohan spoke this time, massaging the bridge of his nose, "she doesn't talk about things like this at all if she can help it. I'll let it slide this time, but don't bring those girls here again while your sister's here."

"Alright," the son of Gohan nodded once, "can I go talk to Pan really quick?"

His father waved a hand towards the stairs, and that was all the invitation Goken needed. The Son took the steps three at a time, his mind a mess of jumbled thoughts, confusion, and failure. His baby sister had been bullied by his friends and he hadn't even known. The few times he'd crossed paths with his sister in the hall, the girls were completely civil with her, but that, apparently, was only a façade. As he recalled the memories, he couldn't help but notice that, when the cheerleaders had spoken to her, Pan's shoulders would rise somewhat, and her posture would become stiff, and her words forced. The same would happen when she was confronted by his friends on the team. He cursed himself at once, wondering how he could've been so blind and stupid.

I made her a promise when she was a baby, Goken thought, I promised to protect her, no matter what, and I failed her.

Finally, the dark purple door was before him, and the Son stood there, unsure of whether or not she'd want to see him. Finding his resolve, he rapped his fist against the painted wood three times and waited for her response. After a few moments of awkward silence, he heard shuffling, and then the door was swinging open, revealing his little sister. She was dressed in an old hoodie of his that completely swallowed her torso, and some sweat pants that looked like they were meant for a girl three times her size. She looked up at him with confused brown eyes.

"Goken?" Her voice was soft, "what are you doing up here? You never—"

"Why didn't you tell me?" The words burst out of his mouth before he could stop them, and Pan's eyes widened, "tell you? Te-tell you what?"

"Why didn't you tell me that my so-called friends were making fun of you, Pan?" Goken's voice was firm, "I mean, come on, Pancake, I'm your big brother, it's my job to protect you when people hurt you and make you sad."

"I didn't want everyone to stop liking you because of me," she mumbled, staring down at her toes, "I knew, if I told you about it, you'd push them all away and then no one would like you anymore, and I didn't want to do that to you."

"I'd be right to push them away because they hurt your feelings," he responded coolly, pulling her into his arms, "friends are overrated if all they're gonna do is hurt your family. I can have as many friends as I want, but I only get one little sister."

"You don't have to do that for me, Go-nii," Pan mumbled, though she was moved to tears by his love for her, "really, I'll be fine."

"No, you won't," Goken scooped her up and carried her over to her bed, gently placing her upon it, "you stay right here. I'm going to go take out the trash, and then we're going to spend some good, quality one-on-one sibling time together. Kami knows we haven't done that in ages, and it's my fault for not paying any attention to you."

"I understood, though," Pan whispered, "everyone likes you, it's only logical that you don't have time for your little sister anymore."

"No, it doesn't make sense for me to not notice the way you were being treated," the elder sibling insisted, "I know you like to keep to yourself, but even that's no excuse. I'll be right back." Before Pan could say anything in response, her big brother was already headed down the stairs, on a mission. His parents watched as he breezed past them, headed for the backyard, and Videl breathed a relieved sigh.

"Thank Kami," she whispered conspiratorially to her husband, "he's finally come to his senses."

*outside*

"Ready to go, Son-san?" One of the guys jumped up from his seat on the ground, "what'd your parents want, anyways? Was it your sister or something." The other boy laughed, "did she wet herself or something? That's probably why she left the school so fast—"

"Go home, Hal," Goken snapped, "don't you ever fucking talk about my little sister that way again, or, so help me Kami, I'll make you wish you kept your mouth shut." Hal waved his hands in surrender, "hey, man, we were just joking—"

"Don't include Pan in your jokes, then," the irate Son snarled, "get the hell out of my yard. You can go anywhere you want, but not here, and you can take those whores," he sent an incredibly cold look towards Nel, Ren, and Gira, ignoring their outraged gasps, "with you when you leave, too. Do me a huge favor and don't fucking talk to me anymore. If I hear anything about you bothering Pan again, there'll be hell to pay."

"I knew that fat ass was going to tell him eventually, the little spoilt brat crybaby that she is," Nel grumbled, gathering her things. She cast a confused look at Goken, "why are you defending her? You barely even see her at school, so what's the point?"

"Blood runs thicker than water, Nel," the Son spat, "Pan will still be there, even when you and your thirsty ass friends lose interest in me. I don't know why you even bother trying, Rhea is the only girl I'm interested in and she has more substance than the three of you combined. I'm so sorry that you don't understand the bonds of family, though."

"Whatever, you'll be just as much of a loser as she is if you keep this up," Nel rolled her blue eyes, "come on, guys, let's blow this taco stand. The country air is so overrated."

"I'm fine with being a loser if it means I don't have to hang out with you anymore, Nel," he responded with a shrug, "it's a win-win for me." The girl gave an enraged screech and fled the yard, headed for her car, her four lackeys floundering along behind her. When, at long last, he heard their cars pulling away from the house, Goken breathed a relieved sigh and headed back into the house.

He found Pan and his mother peering out of the front window, watching the cars speed away. His baby sister turned to look up at him, "You didn't have to do that." He rolled his eyes, "what can I do to get you to stop saying that?" A small grin formed on her pink lips and she tapped her chin in mock-thought, "I dunno…"

She suddenly found herself giggling and squirming uncontrollably as her brother and mother mounted a double team tickle attack, screaming for her father to come save her. Gohan peered out of his study and, upon seeing his family's antics, rolled his eyes and joined in on the fun.

It was only fair, after all…

It's fairly rough, this one-shot was as far as I got before I lost the muse for it and couldn't turn it into an actual fic. It seems very cliché and stereotypical, but keep in mind that this was the first manifestation of the idea I had in mind, and these events were probably going to be a bit further apart than they are here. I probably couldn't finish because it was too hard, placing Pan in such a vulnerable light when I'm used to her being more independent and tough.