Thank you for the reviews, we appreciate it :)
Jada: Thank you! We're happy that you like it! :p
Prisci99: Yes, it is :( we're hoping to lighten it up in the future.
Day: Yeah...but everyone is dead, other than Trunks and Pan that is...
Narunosuke-Namikaze-Uchiha: Anger at the humans...? It is frustrating...
Dianaloveanime: Thank you! We're happy you enjoyed it!
Ivette: Starting off the chapter, Pan is 9.
Girlie: No, Trunks went back just to tell everyone that he killed the Androids and Cell. Although, if you want to really know what happened you can watch the move Bojack Unbound. Mirai Trunks went back to the past in that one, and that's what we based it on.
Saiyan Chik: Yes, we ignore flamers. Both of us work very hard on all of our stories, and we're not going to let ignorant people bring us down. And, we've actually came up with the name, Kimlyn for our team name. :)
Vegetable lov3r: This is Kaitlyn...let me just tell you how much your reviews crack me up! Seriously! I love them!
MonNos: Thank you...we're happy you enjoyed it, even if it is sad.
Rini: It is sad, but Trunks is back!
Jalysecarter: He's one of our favorite characters too. You just got to love him :) Yes, Pan is nine.
Shellsuchiha: Yes, but it will be sad for a while longer...
SonPanssj4: It is heartbreaking, but we're happy that you can connect to it!
The-writing-vampire: It was sad for us to write as well.
Becca: Lol! We just had to do it! You'll see what will happen!
Nurphs: Awe, thank you! We're happy that you like it. It was sad for us to write too.
Thank you Kaidy XD You're the best co-writer ever!
Chapter 4
"Trunks," Pan whispered, crawling over to him.
"Yes Angel?" he looked up at her, a small smile gracing his face.
He was lying on the floor, and she stopped and sat beside his head. Their year in the HTC was almost up, and soon they would have to face the cruel world...
"What's going to happen when we leave here...?"
Trunks looked at her sadly. She was old enough to understand what was happening- everyone was turning against them... Her world was peaceful for only a short amount of time...it wasn't fair.
"We will have to go to a hideout- somewhere no one knows about..."
"Do you have one?"
Trunks nodded lightly. "My mom made it during the Androids' time, it's on an island far away from here, and it's underground. It has a lab as well where I can construct the spaceship."
Pan tucked a piece of her long hair behind her right ear. "How long do you think it will take for you to make it?"
"I wish I could tell you, Angel." He tucked the hair that fell out, behind her ear again. Slowly, he ran his thumb over her old silver earring- one day he would get her a new pair.
Pan looked down sadly. She missed her mama, grandma Chi-Chi and aunt Bulma…she missed them all! At least she still had Trunks. She would be nothing without him.
"Hey," he spoke softly, jarring her from her thoughts. "We're going to make it through this, okay?" He turned over so he was lying on his stomach, and grabbed one of her hands, holding it tightly. "It's you and me."
"Forever?" Pan smiled.
"Forever and ever, Babe," he winked, causing her to laugh- a sound that he loved.
###
"Trunks," Mr Popo called to him as he walked out of the HTC with Pan.
"Hello Mr Popo! Thanks again for letting us use the room..." He gave a slight bow with Pan following suite.
"You are most welcome... I have something for you." Popo reached out a hand, and gave Trunks a capsule.
The lavender-haired hybrid raised a confused eyebrow. What did he need a capsule for...?
"It's filled with enough food for you and Pan, for at least a month, as well as some medicine and the last five sensu beans- so please use them wisely..."
"Mr Popo..." Trunks whispered in shock.
Pan let go of Trunks' hand before hugging Mr. Popo tightly. "Oh," he was a bit surprised, but hugged her back.
"Thank you," Pan whispered.
Trunks nodded in agreement. "We'll never be able to pay you back for the kindness you have shown us..."
"Of course you can," Popo smiled. "Find Namek, and make things right."
"We can do that," Trunks smiled.
###
Pan looked around the island with wide eyes. It was more than a hundred miles from the nearest city- which was West City. The island was fairly big, and had animals running around everywhere.
"Angel," Trunks got her attention. "This way..."
###
They reached the entrance to the hide out a few minutes later. To the naked eye it would look like an entrance to a cave, surrounded by tall trees, and other flora and fauna.
"Are we going to live in there Trunks-Kun?" Pan asked, sounding perplexed.
He looked down at her and squeezed her hand gently. "We sure are, come on then and be amazed!" He grinned.
They walked deep into the cold dark cave- Trunks still holding onto Pan. They had no problem navigating through the cave, thanks to their keen saiyan senses.
Trunks stopped in front of dead-end wall. "Hold on a minute, Angel."
He let go of her hand, and stroked her hair before running his hand along the stony surface. It didn't take long for him to find the release button, and he pushed it in. There was a loud rumbling sound as the wall moved to reveal steel doors, Trunks pressed another button to open them.
He grabbed Pan's hand and stepped inside. "Going down…" He smiled fondly when he heard her giggling.
"Wow! Bulma-San is a genius, but we already knew that, right Trunks-Kun?"
Trunks chuckled. "We sure do, Pan-Chan. Shall we get settled then?" Trunks asked as the doors opened on the lower level which was about five floors down.
Pan jumped up and down, eagerly. "I'm ready… this is so cool."
###
Trunks walked around the facility while Pan was preparing for bed. It wasn't very big, but it was the perfect size for them to live comfortably. It had three bedrooms, a bathroom and toilet– they would have to share, and an open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen. Off the back was a lab, and another exit to the outside.
The lab was big enough to build a decent sized spaceship for the two of them. He sighed… it would take a long time to finish the ship– a few years to be exact, maybe more. The faster he got it done, the sooner they could leave for Namek. He had to ensure a safe and happy future for Pan– the only treasure in his life.
He missed his mother so much, and hoped he could make her proud by taking on this monumental task. He went to work straight away, checking what materials he had, and what he would need- typing it into a tablet computer, so he could keep a record. He cleared a space on one of the desks where he could get started on the exterior design as well as the blueprints.
After a few hours he decided to go check on Pan. He reached for his bag, removing two wrist watches, placing one on his left wrist, and the other in his pocket.
###
Pan sat on the sofa watching a movie she had found in the video archives. She knew Trunks was busy, and didn't want to disturb him. Her mind, however, was not following the story. She was thinking about all that had transpired.
The death of the women she loved, her two years spent in the time chamber. One by herself which was gruelling and lonely, the other with Trunks which was just as tough– he really pushed her beyond her limits, they maximised their time by training- most times to their limits. She had hoped to transform into a super saiyan, but never did. Both of them were not sure whether it was even possible for females to reach that transformation. All their free time was left for eating and sleeping, but there were nights when he went on his own, and she would follow his energy as he trained. He was powerful– extremely powerful.
They've been avoiding the subject about the humans and what they did. She missed the three women dearly, and couldn't understand why Trunks refused to take revenge, even after he had explained it to her countless times– that it would be futile and wouldn't bring them back, and that they should rather concentrate on reaching Namek to make the wish.
It would ease her mind though, knowing those bad men got what they deserved, but Trunks was so honourable and would never allow it, or take action in that way. He always thought objectively. Though she was angry, she knew he was right. And that he was working hard to fix everything.
Yet, she couldn't let it go. Images of the three dead women flashed in her mind. He wasn't there; he didn't know what it felt like. Not only could she not protect them, she had broken her promise to him. She couldn't tell him that though, he would hear none of it.
"They will pay!" She whispered, determination clear in her tone.
###
"What ya doing, Angel?" Trunks sat down next to her, stirring her from her thoughts.
She jumped a bit, hoping he hadn't heard her just now. "Watching a movie I found...well, I was." She moved closer, snuggling up against his side.
"You must be exhausted; it's been a long day… I need to go to Capsule to get some more supplies and materials."
"Can I come? I don't want to be alone, Trunks." She lifted her head to look at him.
He smiled and averted his eyes. He couldn't say no to those big innocent eyes, but it would be better for her to stay. He could move about more stealthily and quickly without having to worry about her.
"You should stay here, Angel. Come on…" He pulled her up with him, and led her to her bedroom.
###
Once she was settled in bed, he grabbed her left arm and placed the other wrist watch on it. "Now, you won't be alone while I'm away." He pressed the button on his watch and hers beeped.
She mimicked his actions. "Wow! I can see you!" She looked at him through the screen of her watch.
"I will keep the connection until you fall asleep; you can keep me company while I fly. It's safer for you to stay here, Angel. I know you're strong enough, but I can't risk anyone seeing you with me. Do you understand?" He stroked her hair, gently. "I will hurry back, I promise. I'll only be away for two hours at most."
She nodded, not wanting to say anything. He had a lot to deal with as it was, and she didn't want to stress him more by arguing or whining. "I love you Trunks-Kun."
"I love you too, Pan-Chan." He got up and pulled the covers over her some more before kissing her cheek, softly.
###
"Trunks!" The fourteen-year-old yelled. "Lunch is ready."
Almost five years had passed since that dreadful day when Pan found her family dead. She thought about them often, and still missed them terribly.
To say her and Trunks' relationship was all rosy, was an understatement. It could be because Pan was a teenager now, and saw things differently. She still love and admired him, but she no longer agreed with him about leaving the humans alone.
They were the ones hiding and living in isolation. She had no friends other than Trunks, and occasionally Mr Popo when she flew up to the lookout– accompanied by Trunks of course.
Trunks refused to let her go into the cities, or even attend school. He had been home schooling her in the mornings before he set out to work on the spaceship which was taking longer than they anticipated, but was now near completion.
She hated being cooped up in this place. She couldn't experience life the way other teenagers did. What about meeting boys, a first kiss, going out with friends like she'd seen in the movies?
She tried convincing him that no one would recognize her, or know that she was connected with him. She even told him that she could disguise herself as a boy, as she was yet to grow into her female body. Yet, he refused to listen to any of her suggestions, and it frustrated her to no end! He just didn't understand.
###
Trunks sat at the table and wasted no time stuffing his face. "This is great, Angel." He complimented between bites.
Pan grunted in response.
Trunks glanced at her. She had her head bowed, playing around with the bits of chicken on her plate. He just couldn't win with her these days- well, more like for the past three years. Gone was the little girl who used to look at him with adoring eyes like he was her everything. Who used to leap into his arms every chance she could.
Pan fought him on every decision he made. She did everything reluctantly. He knew what she wanted, and he felt like a dick for not giving in, but he could not risk anyone finding out about their whereabouts. As far as the population was concerned they were missing– probably dead, and he wanted to keep it that way until after they made the wish.
He hoped she would forgive him one day for all the choices he made. It was hard raising her by himself, but he didn't regret one minute of it. He only had her best interests at heart.
"Do you want to help me with the ship later? I have to get a few more things, but I doubt I'll find it at Capsule. I will have to find a way to buy it." He was trying to make conversation, something he found extremely taxing lately. He felt lonely sometimes, especially when she was in her 'anti-Trunks' mood. She never realized that this was affecting him as much as it was her.
She looked up, her eyes locking with his. "I can do it. Please Trunks, let me go and buy what you need. I can cut my hair and wear some of your old clothes. People will think I'm a boy… It's perfect!"
Her eyes were shining with enthusiasm, something he hadn't seen in years. How could he refuse? But- "Angel, I–"
Her shoulders drooped, and she returned her gaze to her plate. "It's okay… excuse me. I think I'll just go to my room and read," She got up and walked away.
He was shocked that she was not throwing one of her usual tantrums, but came to his senses quickly. He called out just before she disappeared from sight. "Wait…" He walked towards her, and sighed heavily, contemplating whether he was about to do the right thing.
He wanted to make her happy. She was old enough now, wasn't she? Maybe he should stop being so overprotective, but what choice did he have? She was all he had left, he couldn't lose her– saiyan or not... Humans were so unpredictable.
"Okay…you can go." He touched her beautiful long hair, he loved her hair. "We'll… we'll cut you hair and go with your plan to disguise yourself as a boy, but you have to promise to follow my instructions to the letter!"
She threw her arms around his neck. "I'll do whatever you say Trunks-Kun…"
He exhaled anxiously before wrapping his arms around her small waist. He couldn't help but smile, she hadn't called him that in years…