Thanks to all of you fabulous reviewers! : Rockel, pen name is, SSj4Goku fusion, wolf-e wolfman, mizqt, and frikinchikin 18.

A Tragic Secret

:*: Goten's POV :*:

Looking out my bedroom window I could tell today was going to be freezing. The sky was full of dark clouds just waiting to pour rain, and the people walking by were shivering even in their large trenchcoats. Once I finished my morning business, I dragged my feet downstairs and into the kitchen. To my left, I could see Trunks sitting at the kitchen table, staring into space with his tired eyes. "Rough night?" I asked with a slight chuckle.

It took him a while to process the question. He responded with a grumble and rubbed his face with his palms. "What are we doing today?" He asked groggily.

I slouched in my chair and gazed up at the ceiling. I think he and I had planned something earlier this week but I couldn't quite remember... "Oh, aren't we going christmas shopping today?" He lazily nodded his head as he remembered also.

"How did things go with your girlfriend last night?"

I let out a long groan as the flashback played in my mind. "After I dropped you and Jezelyn off here, she did nothing but whine about me not spending enough time with her or something, then she slapped my hand when I tried turning on the radio." That earned a chuckle from Trunks. "She wanted me to spend the night with her but I was too pissed off."

"Is it just me or is she mutating into some psychotic... possessive... bitch?"

It was my turn to laugh this time. "Something along those lines. She wants to 'move on to the next level' of our relationship. I don't want that, yet."

"The next level?"

"Yeah. Moving in together and an engagement or some shit like that." He gazed at me in awe then snickered. "What's so funny?"

He took a moment to compose himself. "Oh, sorry it's just hard to imagine the engaged Goten. No offense man, but you are a flirt."

"What? I think I've done pretty good so far. We've been together for a while and I havn't cheated on her. And look at you! You've been out of a relationship for a while now. What did you and Jezzie do when I left?" I probed with a sly grin.

He gave a nonchalant shrug. "Honestly, we sat in the living room and just... talked." He said as if he couldn't believe it. His tone matched my expression.

"Are you fucking serious? You had a Phillipine exchange student alone in our house for a couple hours and all you did was talk?" He nodded like an innocent child. I shook my head in disbelief. "What the hell is wrong with you? Don't tell me... you're gay?" His laughter reassured me that he wasn't. I held onto my chest, afraid that my heart was going into cardiac arrest. "Dude, what are you holding back for? Get out there and get yourself some Phillipine ass!"

We both chuckled for moment. "I'm just not feeling it with her. I dunno, maybe it was just last night. I got into a bad mood thanks to your girlfriend."

I narrowed my eyes at him and smirked. "I'm not buying it. Even at dinner you wouldn't touch her." I couldn't hear his response. I was too busy thinking about how to throw the question out. I had to find out if he liked Pan. "Trunks," He stopped talking and listened. I looked around frighteningly as the atmosphere grew tense, but then focused back onto him. "Do you like-"

*If I were a Boy, Even just for a day...*

"Ah, damn it." I cursed to myself as my cell phone began to ring.

"Beyonce, huh?" Trunks laughed.

"That was Pan's doing." I looked at the screen to see who was calling. Gohan? "Hello?" I answered. He usually calls to let me know about an event or if he needs a favor. Now which of the two did he want...

"Hey Goten, are you busy today?"

"Ummm me and Trunks are going Christmas shopping for a couple hours. But other than that, no."

"I need you to do me a favor." Aha! He needs a favor.

"Only for you my dear brother."

"I have to take Videl out for a couple hours and I'd feel much better knowing that Pan was out of the house rather than sitting at home worrying."

"So you want me to take Pan?"

"You're getting sharper every day."

I scoffed at his sarcasm. "Sure that's no problem. She can go shopping with us. What would she be at home worrying about?"

A moment elapsed before he responded. "Just try to keep her mind off of her mother, please."

"Can do. I'll be by around noon."

XxXxXxXxX

:*: Pan's POV :*:

"Paaaannnnie..."

"mmmmmmmm"

"Paaaannnn..."

"rrrmunm" I held my blanket tight over my head as the person sitting on my bed gently shook my arm.

"Pan Son, wake up. It's nine o'clock." She shook me again, much harder this time.

"mmmm Mom havn't you ever heard of sleeping in?"

"Oh Pan, wake up you're missing out on the start of a beautiful day." I slowly withdrew the blanket from my face as my mother danced and sang like Mary Poppins across my room and pulled open my curtains.

"Some beautiful day." I muttered. I could tell by the bare tree outside my window that it was another freezing day. There were practically icicles hanging from the limbs. I squished my palms against my ears as she continued to sing. "Okay I'm up, I'm up!" I sat up from my bed and scowled at her, then chuckled as she attempted to spin but stumbled over my dirty clothes.

"And clean up your filthy clothes missy. Break an ankle in here..." Once she was standing straight again she rubbed her temples with her fingers with her eyes cringed shut.

I crawled across my bed and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Mom, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." She sat on my bed, eyes still closed and hands on her head.

"I'll get dad." She grabbed my arm to keep me back.

"No, it's fine. Can't sing like I used to." She grinned at me and made her way from my room, but not without reminding me to pick up my clothes.

As I watched her leave, a flood of concern washed through me. Maybe everybody got those headaches where they just had to sit down and shut their eyes for a moment. My mom just got it more frequently than others... I didn't want to think about it anymore. I jumped from my bed and pulled the blankets up so it looked somewhat made, then headed down the hall to take a shower. Afterwards, I noticed it was only 9:35. I could go jogging, but it was too cold for that.

My dad greeted me as I went downstairs into the kitchen and grabbed some toast. He was reading his usual morning newspaper with a mug of coffee on his right.

I plopped myself into the chair next to him and swallowed my bite of toast. "Mom had another... head attack."

He briefly looked up from his paper to meet my eyes, then went back. "She'll be okay. She just gets bad migraines. Her medication will get rid of them in no time." He reassured me with a small smile.

I still couldn't let that relieve me. He could tell since I was frowning at my toast.

"Pan, your mother will be fine. What do you have planned for today?" Clearly trying to change the subject, eh dad?

"Kain invited me to go to a basketball game with him tonight in Tokyo."

"Tokyo?" His eyes furrowed in disapproval.

"Oh it's just Kain. He's my doctor's son. I'm way more into the sport than I am into him, dad."

"Why am I just finding out about this?"

"Mom said it was fine."

He rolled his eyes. "What time?"

"We're leaving at six."

"You and Bra or Marron don't have plans this afternoon?"

Hopefully he couldn't see my eyes rolling at the suggestion. "Nope."

"Hm." He grunted. "Clean up your mess. You got crumbs everywhere." He whined as I put my plate in the sink.

Now I wandered aimlessly around the house like a kid with no toys. I stumbled upon the living room and lounged on the couch, flicking through the channels. What else would a kid do on a boring saturday morning? Watch Sponge Bob of course.

An hour passed before I was jerked out of my sponge trance by a ringing cellular device. "Hey Goten, what's up?"

"Hi, what's up Panaroo?"

A light groan escaped my throat. There were just too many nickname variations for my name. "Watching Spongebob." I could hear him snickering on the other line.

"Well could you pull yourself away from your busy schedule to go christmas shopping with me and Trunks today? We're gonna hit some shops in Jianu Bay."

"Hmm... Will we be home by six?"

"If you need to be home. What's going on at six?"

"I have plans with a friend tonight. Is that ok?"

"Yeah. I'll pick you up around noon."

"Sweet. Ciao."

XxXxXxXxX

:*: Goten's POV :*:

Jianu Bay contains some of the most unique stores in all of Japan. Although pricey, their products are very rare to be seen in other stores outside of the city. Trunks and I usually do our shopping there to find things for our families, especially his since they're so spoiled.

Since it was so freezing outside, I wore a long sleeve black thermal with an Element shirt over it, covered in my black and white Volcom jacket. And of course, a black hat. Trunks said I looked like a gangster, I like calling myself a G.

He on the other hand was wearing a grey long sleeve Abercrombie and Fitch shirt, topped with a black element jacket and a grey brim beanie with his hood covering it, only to where the brim stuck out.

After a half hour drive through the fog, we finally made it to my brother's house. We both blew warm air into our hands as we waited for someone to answer the door.

"Hi boys, come in, come in." Videl held the door open as we trotted inside. "Cold?" She teased.

"It's fu- er freaking freezing out there!" It's considered impolite to swear in front of elders, although I swear like a sailor with Trunks. But he's only one year older than me. "Hi Gohan." I could see him standing in the kitchen leaning against the counter. Videl left to the living room to continue whatever she was watching.

"Hi. Thanks for doing this for me. And don't tell Pan I asked you to pick her up." We nodded in understanding, allowing him to relax. "Pan's in her room."

We began to leave the kitchen to go fetch her but I stopped, causing Trunks to stop also. "I'm gonna talk to Gohan, you can go get Pan." I could tell that my brother was anxious about something. His body language and his tone said it all.

XxXxXxXxX

:*: Trunks' POV :*:

I slowly left the kitchen, wondering myself what was up with Gohan. Maybe Goten can get some answers out of him. I trudged up the staircase and down the hall until I reached Pan's door. It was slightly ajar, and she obviously had her ipod blaring on her speakers. I knocked lightly, knowing she wouldn't be able to hear it. I slowly eased the door open, not sure what to expect. I didn't want to walk in on her changing or something, well I wouldn't mind but she wouldn't like it.

There she was, laying on the edge of her bed and texting on her phone. I took this opportunity for a surprise attack. I quietly crept up to the bed, then quickly climbed on top of her, covering her eyes with one hand and stealing her blackjack phone with the other and shoved it into my jacket pocket.

XxXxXxXxX

:*: Pan's POV :*:

Since it was almost noon, I began to get ready for my afternoon with Goten and Trunks. Judging by the weather, I would need to dress warm. I decided on a white tank top, covered in v-neck black long-sleeve along with a pair of jeans and black boots. I'll put my black coat on before we leave.

Once I was finished dressing and brushing my hair, I jumped onto my bed and reached for my phone that was just below me. It was a text message from Kain. He couldn't decide whether to wear his Cougars jacket or his Cougars jersey for the game. I told him I was wearing my jersey, so he could either wear it with me or be a wimp and wear the jacket. He texted back, but before I could read it someone jumped onto my back and covered my eyes. AND took my phone from my hands!

I clung to the person's hand with my own, trying to pry it from my eyes. I knew who it was, no one smelled like he did. With an evil grin I pushed against him so I was now slightly on top of him, although he pushed back so we were now on our sides. I twisted my head towards his wrist and licked it. I got the results I wanted. He pulled his hand away.

"Eww." He stuck his tongue out jokingly and wiped his wrist on my pillow. Then he flipped the pillow over and layed on it, adjusting his hood to make sure it was still over his head. "I could've been your dad. Do you lick your father with that tongue?"

My grin widened as he smiled back. There was something about him today that made me feel like a lovesick girl around him. Maybe it's because I finally realized I want to be more with him. But now that I know that, I'm starting to feel, is the word shy? I'm starting to feel shy around Trunks? Ha! I refuse to let myself turn into those creepy girls on tv that let their cowardness hold them back.

"Just so you know I knew it was you! For one, my dad wouldn't jump on me like that, otherwise I'd call the cops." He laughed. I shuddered at the thought. "Secondly, I know your smell."

"I have a smell?" He asked with a look of mixed curiosity and disgust.

"Well yeah, everyone has a smell. You smell like... I don't know what it is. I thought you wore some kind of cologne."

"Nope, I'm all natural." he grabbed the pillow on his left and sniffed it. I snatched it from his grip and clung it to my stomach.

"What're you doing?"

"I was smelling you!" He laughed.

"You're smelling my pillow! I didn't know you were one of those creeps who smelled woman's stuff."

Before I knew it, he leaned up slightly to reach my arm and pulled it to his face. "Your hand smells like soap." I was about to counter with another one of my witty remarks, but he pulled harder to where I practically fell on top of him with my head on his chest. He was smelling my hair. "Mmm, smells like strawberries."

I sat up and looked down at him, we were both laughing. "You are into some kinky shit."

"You're the one that 'knows my smell'." He taunted while ruffling my hair.

I slapped his hand away and combed my fingers through it. "I just brushed it." I pouted.

He reached an arm up and assisted me. "You still look pretty with messy hair." His face was so serious, I couldn't fight the burning blush that crept onto my cheeks. He grinned again. "Aw , Pan, are you blushing?" He sat up as I tried to turn away from him.

"No!" I couldn't help but laugh when he pulled me against him to get a closer look at my face. I reached behind me to turn his head away.

"Hey- whoa, hey, what's going on in here?"

Me and Trunks both darted our attention towards the doorway. Goten just had to walk in at this moment.

My back was against Trunks with his hands on my sides and our heads at a close distance. I grabbed a pillow and threw it at Trunks' head. Now free from his grasp, I jumped to Goten's side and gave him a hug in greeting.

"Hi Goten. Next time, don't send him to get me." I smirked at Trunks as he approached us.

"I'll keep that in mind." He chuckled. I lead the way downstairs and gave my parents a hug goodbye.

Once the three of us stepped outside, the bitter cold immediately began to bite. I pulled my scarf tighter and dug my hands into my pockets. I, of course, had to sit in the backseat of Goten's truck. I chose to sit in the middle, that way I could lean forward and bother the two males in the front seat. Trunks turned the radio on to fill the silence. I looked over to Goten, his expression seemed... different. Almost as if he was sad. Almost as if somebody had just told him some tragic news.