The Half-Saiyan stared at the blonde with a surprised look for a moment, before letting out a half hearted chuckle. "That was dirty of you, but I guess I deserved it. " he admitted.
"That you did...but don't forget that little wager you came up with." she said her former grin widening.
Trunks blinked. "Oh crap. I almost forgot about that. Fine. Whatever you get to demand anything you want from me. Just don't make me do something too embarassing or cruel." he grumbled.
A strange look overcame the blonde's face as she tilted her head momentairly, before she bent her head down.
"What are you?..." The Half-Saiyan's voice trailed off as the Blonde's supple lips captured his own in a soft embrace. The Kiss only lasted for but a moment, but for both Eighteen and Trunks the moment seemed to last much longer. Eighteen slowly raised her head up as a flush stained her cheeks.
Trunks for his part could only sputter. "What...was that?" he said fumbling for words.
"I just wanted to see how that felt. " The blonde said with a soft smile as she rolled off of the Half-Saiyan.
"I hope I didn't break you." she added with a chuckle as she held out her hand.
Trunks stared at her hand a moment, before finally taking it as she helped him to his feet.
"You just wanted to see how it felt? Is that all?" he asked his mind still whirling.
"Maybe I'll tell you later. Maybe I won't. You said I could have anything." she remarked with a tease of a smile.
Trunks rubbed his forehead. "Alright then. If you're going to be difficult have it your way. Would you like to get back to work? No more wagers just sparring?"
"Fine...but after that stunt with the Ki Blast you owe me a new set of clothes. These are charred..." the blonde complained as she looked down at her scorched denim jacket.
The Half-Saiyan bowed his head. 'I get the feeling even if I win...I still lose. This woman is going to be the death of me one way or another.' he thought to himself.
"Kamehameha!" A voice yelled as an orange and blue ki clad warrior thrust his hands forward firing a massive blue energy wave across the spanse of a tiny planet. The warrior's hair was golden and despite the battle that was being waged had a calm peaceful demeanor about him.
The Warrior in front of him nearly mirrored his outfit save the logo on his GI. He held his hands out in front of him as he began to collect a great deal of energy. His hair too was golden though his demeanor was a stark contrast as a look of fury was on his face.
"Masenko-ha" he screamed as a torrent of golden energy errupted from his hands and collided into the other warriors attack.
For a moment the two attacks met in a stalemate, however after a few seconds the Kamehameha overtook the other attack and an explosion resulted causing the entire world to quake.
As the dust settled the loser of the exchange could be heard cursing. "Dammit. Still too weak."
The other warrior landed as he eyed the damaged warrior before offering a sympathetic look. "Gohan you have the power to beat me. To surpass me. You're the one holding yourself back."
Gohan offered an exasperated look. "Dad what are you talking about? Ever since I died I've spent every moment in Other World training with you, but I still can't reach the next level. Maybe as a Half-Saiyan it's not possible." he said with a look of frustration still on his face as he began to pace.
Goku sighed as he shook his head. "Gohan...you remember how many times you saved us back in the day when you lost your temper and went from being calm to furious? That power of yours is still there. It didn't just disappear."
"Then where did it go Dad? because from where I'm standing none of this training is helping. Videl died because of some monster and my Daughter has been around with one of the bloody androids that killed me."
Goku's expression shifted to a more serious one. "Gohan...you can't lose your temper when you're always angry. Besides you know I taught you better than that. I know it's hard son, but everyone deserves a second chance. That Android may have killed you, but if not for her your daughter...my grandaughter would be dead too."
Gohan turned to fully face his father. "What are you talking about?! Pan wouldn't have to be saved in the first place if I were still alive."
Goku reached out and placed his hands on either of his son's shoulders. "What I mean is the Gohan I use to know didn't relish fighting he was calm and always saw the best in people and forgave those who were looking to start over. It was when all you cherished was threatened that the floodgates were opened. "
Gohan's eyes widened as he fell silent a moment. "..you think I can't tap into my hidden power because I've lost who I was before this?"
Goku smiled sadly. "Son I don't always have all the answers, but I think you should try to center yourself. Don't lose yourself in blind anger. Wait until your opponent pushes you to that point, to the point where you can feel that power and just when you don't think you can go any further then and only then give into your rage."
Gohan bowed his head slightly. "Dad...I'm not sure I'll ever be able to be that person again. I'm just constantly angry these days."
"Gohan just give it time. I know how you must feel, but things will work out...somehow."
"I certainly hope you are right Son Goku..I'd like to think your faith in your son is well placed." a voice said behind the pair.
Goku blinked as he stared at the stranger before them. "Who are you?"
A week and a half passed since Trunks had returned from the Past. As strange as the return home had been things had fallen into a certain routine. After their first day alone in the Gravity Chamber each following day they had trained alongside Pan. The Demi-Saiyan much as Lazuli had said had an ample amount of potential and raw power, but had very little formal training to speak of. Something in which ironically Trunks would begin to show her courtesy of the same training his Master, the girl's own father had taught him years ago.
Things had grown even more complicated between Eighteen and the Half Saiyan. After the incident the first day in the Gravity Chamber, Trunks seemed to be maintaining a wall between himself and the blonde while the later didn't seem to share the same sentiment. Their sleeping arrangement had become comical in a sense. Trunks continued to share the bed with the blonde, but insisted on literally putting a wall of pillows between himself and her.
Trunks lay starring up at the ceiling. He once again found himself having trouble finding sleep. Truth be told he was still reeling from what had days ago in the Gravity chamber. He reached up and lightly touched his lips remembering the sensation.
That single moment had only served to result in a series of internal conflicts within Trunks and leave him with more questions with answers. He'd finally reached the point in which he couldn't wait any longer without receiving some sort of answer.
He spared a glance to his side only to notice the blonde eyes were still open.
"Alright I'll bite..because neither of us have brought it up. What happened between us in the Gravity Chamber that first day...you never did explain yourself and I...well I want answers." he said coolly.
The woman tilted her head as she offered a coy look. "What was what about?" she asked.
Trunks grumbled as he felt his face and neck grow a bit warm. "You know what I'm talking about...the uh Kiss."
"Can't stop thinking about it can you?" she teased with a smile, before laughing at his blushing face.
"That's not what I meant. I just...with everything that's happened in such a short time...I just wanted to know where that came from. That's all." he admitted.
The blonde was quiet for a moment, before she slowly rolled over onto her side to face him as she pushed aside the large pillow seperating them.
"I've spent the last five months studying human emotion, trying to remember what it means to be human. I know how it feels to care about siblings and to an extent someone you consider a child. I know how much it hurts to lose someone you care about and the guilt I feel everyday for the atroticies I had a hand in. I know what fear feels like and sometimes even joy, but I...I wanted to know what it would feel like to...well you know. I've read a few books and there's suppose to be this spark...this sort of feeling. I just wanted to feel that for myself. I realize how uncomfortable it must have made you feel. I know even being in this room with me is...difficult." she said her voice trailing off.
What seemed like several minutes elapsed before Trunks finally spoke. "I can't believe I'm admitting it, but I...uh when I was younger I had a crush on you. I remembered wondering how someone that was as beautiful as angel could be as cruel as a devil. I was a stupid kid and the reality caught up with me, but I guess what I'm saying is...you don't have to apologize. I know the feeling. The only friend I had was my master and I've never been able to form any kind of relationship with a woman, so I get where you're coming from."
The blonde blinked as she regarded the Half-Saiyan in the dimly lit room. For a rare change the blonde was struck silent for a few moments, before she managed to respond. "You think I'm beautiful?"
"...Well yeah. I may not have had the time to date or anything, but I'm not blind. " he said simply as he folded his arms behind his head. "Maybe one day you'll find someone to experience those emotions with. Though It's still hard for me to believe sometimes...you really are a different person now."
The blonde was quiet a moment as her head dipped slightly. "It's too late..." she mused.
Trunks blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Did you not feel anything when we...When I kissed you?" she asked her voice lilting at the end.
The Half-Saiyan's eyes widened as he realized what the implication of her question meant.
The memories of everything that he'd been through up till this point flooded back to him. All the nightmares, the loss, and the pain. Even with how much she'd changed...it was just too much. He couldn't let himself feel something for someone who'd done so much to ruin his life. Forgive her ? He was already working on that. Call her ally that was something he'd already accepted...but anything more. He couldn't let go of the past.
He swallowed momentairly as he forced a sad smile. As he thought of how differently things had transpired in the past. His next words were spoken softly though as he spoke he was uncertain just how true they really were and how much of them were merely meant to convince himself.
"No...and I don't think I ever could. As much as I'm trying to let go of everything...there are somethings I'll never be able to move pass...if this were another world...one in which we'd been dealt a different hand..." he trailed off.
"I see..." her voice came softly as her composed expression did little to betray her thoughts, but her body expression did well enough as she turned and promptly faced away from him. "We should get some sleep. It won't be too much longer till your mother finishes with that ship..." she murmurred.
Trunks felt his throat catch.
"Yeah you're right..."
Bulma's nearly dropped the pot of coffee in her hand as she heard an abrupt knock on the front door. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was only eight in the morning. "Who in the world?" she murmured to herself as she threw open a drawer and grabbed a pistol, before hiding it behiding it behind her back as she walked towards the front door. 'I'll be glad when I don't have to carry a gun around to feel safe.' she thought as she peered through the hole in the door, her eyes widening, before she cracked the door open.
"Bulma!" a woman with black graying hair exclaimed as she managed a weak smile. She looked dishelved, stressed, and throughly exhausted.
"Oh my god! Chi-Chi!" Bulma exclaimed as she tucked the pistol out of sight as she stepped forward and promptly pulled the other woman into an embrace.
The other woman returned the gesture, before sobs began to wrack her frame.
"It's so good to see you Bulma...I-I if I hadn't made it here...I think I might have just gave up altogether. Just when I think things can't get any worse...they do." she sniffed.
"Chi-Chi It's been so long. I wanted to come see you about something, but you know how scary things have been recently, theres something I wanted to tell you..." she paused a moment as she regarded the other woman.
"Chi-Chi what happened to you?"
The other woman dabbed at her eyes as she finally pulled away. "...I-I don't know where to start. Can I come inside?"
Bulma froze for a moment. 'Oh...no this could end poorly. I have to play this carefully. I can't leave Chi-Chi like this, but I have to make sure I diffuse the situation before she runs into Eighteen or Pan.' "Of Course! " she said as she stepped back and opened the door.
Quietly she led the other woman through Capsule Corp towards the Kitchen, before pulling out a seat for her. She walked back towards the Coffee Pot. "Can I get you some Coffee Chi-Chi?"
The other woman glanced around a moment, before nodding her head. "I could use it. I can't remember the last time I've felt so tired." She mused, before pausing. "Sure is alot of chairs just for the two of you in here.." she remarked.
Bulma didn't miss a beat as she began pouring two cups. "Well hopefully one day this house will be full again. Now what happened to you out there girl?" she asked as she walked over and sat a cup down in front of Chi-Chi before taking a seat herself.
The raven haired woman rubbed her temple with one hand, before raising the cup and taking a small sip. "...You know news doesn't reach Mount Paozu quickly. Things had been relatively quiet for a while. I made a hike into a nearby village to gather some supplies and when I came back...I found the door laying in the front yard."
Bulma's eyes widened. "Someone robbed you?" she gasped.
Chi-Chi sniffed as she shook her head. "No...Nothing was missing, but I...I just found Dad's clothes laying on the ground. There was a hole in his shirt and blood everywhere." she said as she finally lost her composure as tears began to stream down her cheeks. "He was the last thing I had in the world...and now some monster got him too. I...I just couldn't stay there any longer in that empty house."
Bulma felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as she had to reach out to still her hand that had begun to shake. '...That sounds just like...him.' She steadied her breathing as she tried to keep herself from flying into a panic.
"Chi-Chi...how long ago did this happen?"
The other woman wiped her eyes, before taking another swig of her coffee. "I've lost track of time, but I think it's been about a week now. I've spent all that time since then trying to get here."
Bulma felt her heart stop. "Chi-Chi I nee-" she was cut off as Chi-Chi bolted backwards out of her chair nearly falling over as she rolled to her feet, her face shifted from a look of sadness to fury as she jabbed her finger. "What the hell are you doing here?! "
Bulma's eyes widened as she glanced behind her and saw Eighteen standing in the doorway with a slightly taken back look on her face. "Chi-Chi wait I can explain. Please calm down." the blue haired woman insisted but her pleas fell on deaf ears as the woman lunged across the room towards the blonde.
"You monster!" She screamed as her fist collided into the blonde's cheek. She was surprised as the blonde let the attack connect. The attack didn't hurt the cyborg in the slightest...at least not physically, but it managed to hurt in other ways.
The blonde in a shaky manner responded. "...I'm sorry."
"You're sorry? That's all you have to say? Sorry doesn't bring anyone you killed back! My baby boy is dead because of you. My Gohan was murdered by you and your psychotic friend!" She screamed.
A soft gasp followed alerting the trio to an evaesdropper.
Pan stepped out from behind the corner with a look of fury and sadness on her face. "That's not true! Zuli would never do that! She saves people! She's a hero! She saved me." The little girl exclaimed as she sniffed. "Please...Sis tell her she's wrong."
Behind the the Girl Trunks stood there with a slightly unnerved look. He could tell this wasn't going to end well.
The blonde cyborg felt herself grow numb as her lips moved but no sound came out.
Chi-Chi who had fallen silent for a moment stared at the girl in wonder. She looked so familiar. Her gaze shifted back to Eighteen. "A hero? What have you been telling her? And what is she doing here Bulma?" She asked as she glanced over at the blue haired woman who looked stunned.
"I...I..I'm sorry Pan. I'm so sorry. I have spent most of my life hurting others. I hurt so many people including your...father. I swear to you Pan...If I could undo it all and do things over again I would..." she said as tears filled her eyes as she tried to reach out to touch the Girl's shoulder only for the girl to pull away as her face contorted. "I HATE you!' she screamed as she turned and without another word dashed out of the kitchen causing several nearby hanging decorations to fall to the ground as the room vibrated.
"Pan!" Lazuli yelled as she bolted after the girl only for Trunks to appear in front of her as he shook his head.
"Give her some space. She needs to be alone for a while."
The blonde squeezed her eyes closed.
Chi-Chi was stunned a moment. She had never met the androids personally, but this wasn't exactly what she'd expected. Not that it mattered much to her considering everything she'd lost, but she'd expected a cold uncaring monster, certainly not a grief stricken and teary eyed girl.
"What the hell is going on here? Why are you two treating her like family after everything she's done?! And who is that little girl ? I know she's not normal."
Bulma took a deep breath. "Chi-Chi I can explain...but I need you to calm down first."
"Calm down?! I'll calm down once Trunks kills that monster like she killed my son. Trunks...how can you even be in the room with her after what she's done ?"
Trunk's brow furrowed as he stepped in front of Eighteen blocking Chi-Chi's sight of the blonde.
"Ma'am...with all due respect I know how you feel. I know what you've lost, but I'm doing what is the best for this planet."
"The best for this planet? How is sparring that thing good for this world?"
"I've not been here to protect the Earth for Six months, in that time she's been helping my mother to find a way to save this planet...so that we all can have a second chance. I didn't want to believe it myself, but she regrets her actions and is trying to atone for them the only way she knows how."
"Chi-Chi I know it's hard to believe, but I would be dead if not for her. Please I know it's hard, but we're telling you the truth."
Chi-Chi scowl lessened a moment before her eyes wavered as she promptly collapsed.
Bulma's eyes widened as she immediately was at the woman's side checking on her.
"Is she alright mom?" Trunks asked concern lacing his tone.
Bulma slowly nodded her head. "Yeah...I think so. She was already exhausted and this episode just took too much out of her and she passed out. It's probably for the best. I was trying to avoid this very thing from happening. I need to be able to talk to Chi-Chi when she wakes up so it would probably be for the best if you made yourself scarce for a while."
Trunks nodded. "You're probably right about that." he mused.
Bulma swallowed remembering what Chi-Chi had said. "Trunks...you should know that Chi-Chi's father went missing at Mount Paozu a week ago. Only a pile of clothes with a hole in them and blood could be found."
Trunk's eyes widened in horror. "No..." he breathed as he turned around to look at Eighteen who looked almost unresponsive.
"Eighteen I need you to focus...we have to be careful. We can't take any chances.." he said earning no response. He frowned as he reached out and lightly shook her. A hint of recognition filled her eyes.
"Did you hear me?" Trunks asked concerned.
"...Yeah that bastard is still alive." she said in a strained voice.
Trunks tensed. "Dammit it's worse than that now. How did I miss that?"
"What what is it Trunks? Bulma asked as she began to slowly help Chi-Chi to her feet.
Trunks gritted his teeth. "Pan's powerlevel is moving away from here. I didn't think she'd take off like that. I should have stopped her."
He took a breath as he glanced around the room a moment his eyes lingering on Lazuli for a moment. "You stay here. I'll go after Pan then we'll figure out our next move."
The blonde shook her head. "Not a chance. I won't let you go alone Pan could get into trouble."
"What about Cell?" Trunks asked.
"I'm still better off with you then staying here. If he comes here what chance will I have? It puts both of them in danger. "She said as she gestured over at Bulma and Chi-Chi.
"We stay together." she stated with a sense of finality.
Trunks clenched his fists, before releasing his grip as he bowed his head. "Fine...let's go we can't afford to waste any time." he said as he began to dash forward towards the front door with Eighteen in stride with him.
The pair bolted out the front door, before Trunks clenched his fists as a golden aura enveloped him. He growled as he kicked off the ground with such momentum it left a small crater in his wake. The blonde struggled as she with a great effort caught up to him.
"You feel that?"
"You know I'm still working on that energy detection thing...What is it?" The blonde asked.
Trunk's brow furrowed. "I feel him he's stronger than ever and...he's making a beeline for Pan. "
Lazuli's eyes widened in horror, before she clenched her fists and sparks ran through her hands. "Damn him. I swear that little girl is coming home alive. Not one more life. Let's bring her home and end this!" she seethed.
Trunks regarded the blonde for a long moment in silence, before he nodded. "We'll bring her home and end this nightmare once and for all!"