OMG after a month I am done! I actually was done two weeks ago, but school has been chaos. I hope you all, my faithful readers... do not hate me.
R&R, cause it makes me feel fuzzy and warm on the inside xD

Chapter 10: All's fair in love and nightmares

Mai: 23
Trunks: 19
Goten: 18
Pan:17
Bra: 16

"Hi dad, how's it going?" she asked walking into the living room, setting down the soccer ball. Her long black hair tied hastily and messily into a pony tail, held by that blood shaded bandana of hers.

Letting out a heavy sigh, "good I guess. I was just thinking about something. How was practice?" he responded, standing up from his seat on the couch. Only a week before, the man sat in utter depression. Last week, it was the one year anniversary of the day he lost her. His best friend, wife, and mother of his children. The two of whom at times, reminded him so much of him and his wife throughout their youth.

Scrunching her nose at the smell of dinner, she answered unenthused, "eh, it was practice. They're trying to schedule a game for Friday, but I don't know." The young woman's father gathered plates and silverware from the cabinets as she placed her things in their rightful place. A sudden crash was heard from the dining room, with Mai rushing in, she was able to catch his fall.

"What's wrong; please tell me what's wrong." Mai pleaded, bringing Trunks to the floor while skillfully avoiding the broken glass. His eyes began to cloud over, showing his furthering distance. The struggle to breathe became visible. "Daddy, what's wrong?" She cried once again. Never before had she seen her dad so- 'no!' her panicked mind screamed. 'I'm not going to lose him like we lost mom; not a chance in hell.'

"Do you remember the promise I made for your mom?" Trunks asked hoarsely. How could she forget? It was the last promise he made to her mother.

Mai nodded into her father's shoulder as she held him up from collapsing the rest of the way to the floor. Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. 'Why was he telling me like this? Did he know something more that I don't?'

For only a moment, he stopped breathing, and that was enough for his first born. "Dad, you can't leave us!" she choked.

"Just promise me, that the three of you will be okay." He told her between labored breaths. She had heard all that she could, and she knew that it was the end… just as he did. As he closed his eyes, and stopped breathing, Mai let out a pained scream. They were gone; never to return. All that she had left in the world were her grandmother and little brother; the one that she now had to finish raising by herself.

Mai awoke screaming at the top of her lungs crying. Her mouth muffling almost none of it as her Grams ran in. Once Bulma found no imminent danger, she sat next to Mai in her queen sized bed; trying her best to comfort her. Wrapped by Bulma's warm embrace and rocked softly, harsh cries were reduced to soft sobs.

How could she make her nightmares stop? Over the years, she had… acquired them through past experiences; but never found out how she was to be rid of them.

Mai took a breath and got dressed. "I need to get out for a while." She packed a backpack of clothing, the journal, and work equipment. Bulma sighed, and then sighed a second time for added effect. Her granddaughter shot a dark look at her; one that screamed, 'I get it.'

xXxXxXx

It was late, so who would be knocking on his door? Turning on a small table lamp, the young man walked to the door and opened it. It was there he saw her; cheeks flushed red, and eyes puffy from crying. Her hair deshelved, wearing tattered blue jeans and an old t-shirt.

"I guess you were right," Mai whispered. "I do need your help." She stood up on her tip toes eye to eye, and locked lips.

xXxXxXx

The splash of water from Goten's cannonball hit the girls pretty hard. They squealed in surprise by the close proximity of their chairs and the pool.

"You suck!" And, "get out of the pool!" were shouted at him, as everyone laughed hysterically. It was only the beginning of the summer, and the heat was already stifling.

Capsule Corps backyard was transformed into a huge space for a pool party. One filled by a surround sound radio system and of course... food. Goku was arguing over the sushi with Vegeta, while Trunks leisurely walked to Pan; grasping her wrists and picked her up over his shoulder toward the pool.

"Trunks, what are y-" she exclaimed as her body hit the cold water. He jumped in after her, the water leaping and jumping over the edge of the pool boundaries.

Her body sunk to the bottom of the pool, leaving only tiny bubbles as indicators of life. Maybe he would come and grab her to the surface, or maybe... Trunks sunk as well, matching nearly eye to eye with Pan. Flashing a smirk, he kissed her cheek quickly he pulled back up.

"So, what do you wanna do tonight?" Trunks asked holding onto the side of the wall.

"I thought tonight was game night?" Pan questioned. Every few weeks, the teens would hold a game and movie night. Anything from seven minutes in heaven to truth her dare; even blackjack with graham crackers.

Hopping from the pool, Trunks paused in thought. Pan sighed in defeat, and waited for the inevitable while she put her hair up.

"Let's ditch when the movie starts."

Yep, there it is. But not this time, no ma'am. Son Pan was going to play hard to get; and she'll be damned if she let him win.

She was so deep in thought; she never realized that she now stood in the kitchen with a towel wrapped around her chlorine soaked body. Once again, Pan failed to notice her surroundings as Trunks came up behind her and pulled her back close to his chest, holding his hands on her hips.

"Why would you play hard to get," he paused, licking the shell of her ear; sending a shiver down her spine. "You're already mine." He finished huskily. Placing a small kiss on her neck. By this time, Pan had lost her nerve. She let out a moan in content as her head rolled back onto his shoulder. As his hands lowered to her tail in an attempt to egg her on, the sliding glass door opened jarring the two apart.

Pan walked away screaming curses from the abyss of her mind. She was trying to play a game, tease him some. So why was she so damn submissive?

xXxXxXx

"Babe, you and I both know this won't help." She said, pulling her ebony bangs from her eyes. The man stood across the room, grabbing two glasses and other assorted bottles from the small cabinet.

He smiled softly, his tall form towering over Mai as he walked over to her. "Sit." He commanded. She did so with little fuss. Sitting indian style on the floor in front of a coffee table, the mystery man said, "drinking a little something once in a while always makes me feel better."

"I have a high tolerance for pain and alcohol. It'll take more than 'a little something' to get me buzzed." She said, glancing at him sweetly.

"And why is that my love?"

"Because I'm not entirely human." She laughed, kissing him quickly before leaving the table.

He gasped in fake shock, going along with the joke. "Really, I never knew."

Mai continued to laugh as she took a sip of her tequila. It was smooth, but fiery going down. Warming her throat nicely, just the way she liked it.

The two laughed and joke to their hearts content. All well knowing the road ahead of them wasn't going to be easy.

'It's so good to see you smile.'

xXxXxXx

Ten-thirty at night, and the group was still going at it. Marron and Uub showed up hours before, just as the chick-flick Bra picked out began. But soon after, the crew -including Marron- crashed, so it was easy to say Bra bored them all to sleep.

Nineteen pepperoni and cheese pizzas later, the six were picking out the next part activity. "Seven minutes in heaven." One yelled. "Truth or dare." Said another. Throwing out said games until Bra finally shouted, "strip poker."

All in unison, everyone exclaimed a big N-O. They sat around the circular coffee table in the guest house. All except Goten, who seemed to agree with the idea; earning a murderous look from Trunks who pointed out, "stop screwing around, that's my sister."

"Then why don't you stop screwing mine." The Son snapped. A fight was about to break out as voices quickly rose, and everyone held the two men back.

Bra was getting frustrated, so his had to end fast. "Nobody is going to screw anybody's sister, got it? So sit down, and clamp it." The tone of her voice put the fear of Kami in everyone who head. Not one of them took notice of the bluenette's dangerously high energy spike.

As teen cooled her raging temper, she pulled Pan toward the closet, much to the dismay of Goten. "Hold on a minuet." Bra mumbled to the girl in the closet.

Bra grabbed her older brother's shirt sleeve, pulling him away for a quick chat. They both agreed that if Trunks entered the same little room as Pan, there would be no touching. "I don't need Goten going off the deep end." She told him.

While the talk took place, Pan waited patiently for Trunks. Uub, Marron and Goten stood around just talking, leaning against the door jam and adjacent wall. "So Pan, when are you coming out of the closet?"

Her brother smirked, earning an appalled look from the seventeen year old, as well as a punch connecting with his shoulder.

"I could ask the same of you." She bit, smiling cockily. He quickly dropped his smirk at the remark.

Trunks walked into the closet next to Pan with less than a word. Bra shut the door, though not without shooting her brother a knowing look. 'Don't do anything stupid.' Her words rang loudly in his mind. But how was he to do that when smelled so… irresistible?

Pitch black room, and there they stood. Pan supposed the rule was to not screw with her man some, but how could she not? The dark haired beauty walked a step or two, closing the gap between him and her. "Trunks." She moaned more than seductively, lust becoming evident in her voice.

A deep, low growl permeated from his chest. He wanted what was rightfully his, and Kami he would get it. Quickly using his Saiyan speed, he picked her up; wrapping her legs around his waist, enclosing his lips over hers in a searing kiss.

"Trunks." Pan whispered breathlessly, "when are we going to tell them?" kissing his lips fiercely once again.

Pulling away he answered, "whenever you want." Before pulling her hair taut, leaving him more access to nip at her neck. More sloppy kisses were exchanged, and then:

"For someone trying to play hard to get, you're doing terrible." The onyx haired teen could only moan in response, wanting nothing more than to be ravished by her mate.

"Too bad we only have seven minutes in here." Trunks whispered huskily into her ear, sending shivers up and down her body. His ever straining need for her ground up against her sweet spot only slightly, she groaned in anticipation.

His hand moved up and down her curves from under her shirt, while kissing her fast and passionately. He was just about to throw off her tight red tank top when the door opened.

"Your seven minu-" Bra was cut off mid-sentence as she and the rest of the group caught sight of the two in a bit of a compromising situation. His hand up her shirt, mid-kiss as her tail sways limply, while she ground up against him. All while the two turned their heads toward them.

Oops.

"Get. The. Fuck. Off of her." Goten seethed, eyes narrowed deadly at his not so best friend, (at least for the moment.)

Bra sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose, much like her mother. 'Wonderful, just what we needed.' She thought sarcastically.

The two pulled away and walked out of the closet. "There goes that plan." Pan mumbled, embarrassed.

Uub cocked his eyebrow, "what plan?"

Trunks could only laugh and scratch the back of his head in nervousness.

xXxXxXx

"Alright, I'm officially cutting you off. The blue eyed woman laughed. The man across the table was more than a little buzzed. His words slurred, and there was no way he could walk without falling.

"Iss okay babe, I'm juss fine." He slurred. Mai thought it kind of cute, considering the ebony haired man never drank. "But are you? I did this all for you, ta help an all."

She smiled and kissed his cheek. "I'm okay. Now, let's get some sleep." They climbed into the old futon as Mai made herself comfortable, nose nuzzled into his chest. She huddled closr as a slender arm snaked around her waist protectively.

Graduation had been only a week before; and somehow, the young woman always ended up at that home.

"Sucks you're leaving soon." Toshiro said.

"Sure does," his sister replied. "But I'm always going to be around." The both of them sat upon the roof of their home, looking out into the starry abyss. A black bandanna wrapped around Toshiro's nose and mouth; as Mai's blood shaded one covered hers. Only on very special occasions did anyone ever go above ground. Tonight seemed like the perfect one.

"Not always." He shook his head. Saying things such as "always" and "forever" only seemed to jinx them in the end. The Brief children knew that all too well; after all, their mother was dying as they spoke.

"I think it's time we went home." Mai spoke, a serious tone beginning to surface. Every fiber of her being screamed to go home.

She rose from the roof and was about to jump when she heard a groan. "Can't we look for it?"

"No." Her voice showed authority as the elder sibling. She couldn't explain it, but they had to go. If they didn't, something was going to go horribly wrong.

"Okay, fine. I'll beat ya there." Toshiro jumped from the roof and down the road to the nearest port.

"Whatever." She whispered. The two raced down to their home below, not liking what they found. She had become weaker, her body the frailest it's ever been. Pan looked in the direction of her two children, and tried to sit up on the couch; only to be pushed back down by Trunks.

"Hello momma." Greeted Toshiro.

"Hi, little one." Pan coughed heavily. It had become worse. The coughing had meant she was losing oxygen; and if she was losing oxygen, then that meant the inevitable, her lungs were beginning to shut down.

Mai walked into the kitchen, grabbing glasses of water, and wiping her tears. Sure, every day as of late has been hard, but tonight was different for some reason. 'Why?'

Bringing the water to her parents, Mai said how happy she was to arched mother out from her bed.

"Anything for you dear." Pan smiled barely managing. She was exhausted, even though she did nothing. It was going to happen soon. 'I just know it.' Her son turned around a foot or two to turn on the television.

"More crap from the rumor mill." Trunks grumbled quietly, rolling his eyes. Pan chuckled, coughing deeply again.

"We really are turning into our parents, aren't we?"

He nodded, looking over her pale complexion. Thinking about what his mother said to the two as teens.

Mai ignored the TV, and focused on the serene interaction between her parents, something she would miss once she left home.

"Panna, how do you feel?" It was the hundredth time he'd asked the question, but she thought it was needed. Her legs lay in is lap as he massaged her feet.

Her head directly faced toward the ceiling, she closed her eyes and whispered, "as light as a feather."

Trunks let out a deep breath, knowing what she meant. All the while Mai slumped back in her chair, keeping herself from shaking. 'If Shiro is falling apart, he's keeping a damn good grip on it.' She thought smugly. The boy was in many ways, more mature than even she; but this had to be getting to him.

"Don't start crying now, I'm not dead yet." Pan joked softly.

Trunks softly and swiftly pulled her by the arm, so that she rested her head on his chest. The family of four sat quietly, watching the television as they always did. "Trunks." Pan began telepathically. "When I'm gone, please will you promise to take care of our babies?"

His heart froze. "Don't talk like that, Pan you're not going anywhere." He lied for himself. His arm wrapped tighter around her, silently confirming what he meant.

"That's bullshit and you know it." She said rather bluntly. "Just say it; I want to hear you promise me." She spoke aloud hoarsely, looking up at him.

Both Mai and Toshiro turned around and looked at their parents. Trunks brought his hand to his wife's face, wiping away her silent tears. He closed his eyes, "I promise My Love that I will take care of them until my own death." He whispered the last part in her ear. She smiled as though she felt no pain, and a feeling of déjà vu ran through him.

"I love you guys so much." She said clearly, as she slipped away, still in his arms.

The onyx haired woman opened her eyes, still shaking from the hellish memory of that night. As her mind kept replaying it, she realized it may not have been so hellish after all. Her mother died peacefully in the arms of her best friend… and knowing that he would not break his promise.

Yes, Mai heard what he had whispered in her ear that night. Though she never brought it up, for that was a personal moment; completely private.

She squeezed the young man's hand, not knowing that he was awake; that was, until he sqeezed back. "Coming to terms with one's death can only make you stronger, both mentally and emotionally." The drunken man said still half asleep. Mai nodded and lulled herself back to sleep by the beat of his heart.

Well, now you know. As heartbreaking as it was to write... I had to do it. Thanks for reading! I hope the next chapter doesn't take a month to write. :)