Lucky Chance 13a

I giggled uncontrollably as Trunks tickled me.

"Quit it, baka!" I laughed in-between giggles. "I...hate...TICKLES!"

"Too bad!" he snickered. I squirmed underneath him and finally got away, throwing some napkins at him. We were at the picnic and my dad and grandpa were fishing nearby while baasan was taking a nap. Trunks chased me around, trying to capture me. I laughed like I had never laughed before. Soon, I got tired and sat on the grass where Trunks tackled me. We rolled around, pretending to spar. Eventually, I got him into a head lock, but somehow, he was still able to lift me over his head and pin me to the ground.

"I win," he whispered as he moved his head down and kissed me.

"Just wait till round 2," I said seductively. He blushed as he helped me up and I wandered over to where ojiisan and dad were. I noticed grandpa was the only one there.

"Where's dad?" I asked.

"Chi-chi asked him to pick up some stuff," ojiisan replied. "Hey, I got a fish!" He pulled his fishing line up and on it was a fish almost as big as him. I watched him struggle with it and decided to go back to the picnic site. Grandma was awake now and had cleaned up, probably preparing to go home. Goku came back, holding his prize fish while Trunks was laid out on the grass, probably trying to nap. I crept quietly beside him and sat down. He was mumbling in his sleep.

"Tousan...don't go...androids..." he whispered softly, so soft that I almost didn't hear what he said. I had the urge to hug him and tell him everything was okay. I scooped him up in my arms and rested his head in my lap.

"Trunks?" I whispered in his ear. His eyes fluttered but they stayed closed.

"Pan...?" he whispered back to me. I placed my arms around him.

"I'm here. Don't worry." I knew what he was going through. I had nightmares all the time. It wasn't fair that we had to grow up in a world of pain and suffering. Trunks open his eyes slowly and stared up at me, giving me a smile that made my heart flutter.

"Hey you," he said quietly. "Does round two begin now?" I laughed softly.

"Were you having a nightmare?" I asked. "About the androids?" He nodded as he sat up. I hugged him protectively in my arms. "I wish we could protect each other in our dreams. I can't stand going to sleep only to end up dreaming of something bad." He ran his fingers through my hair.

"Try not to think about that right now." I smiled up at him.

Nearly half an hour went by and dad hadn't returned yet. Ojiisan got a little worried. He said he wanted us to go home and he'd go get tousan. So we left and arrived at the Son residence. Chi-chi only had one spare bedroom, which meant either Trunks got the room or I did. I offered to fight for it, but grandpa would have none of that. She simply said I get the room one night and Trunks gets it the other. She also gave me some clothes, but Trunks, on the other hand, was told that he would have to go shopping the next day, unless he wanted some of grandpa's orange outfits.

Eventually, grandpa and tousan arrived home. Obaasan cooking up a large meal for all the saiya-jins and demi-saiya-jins. After dinner, me and Trunks arranged ourselves for bed. He agreed to sleep on the couch downstairs.

The pjs that grandma had given me wear two pieces, a short tank top and a pair of shorts. I slipped into bed and began fiddling with the pillows. Sleep didn't come as quickly as I had hoped. For a moment, I felt like I was back in the future. I shook off the bad feeling and got out of bed to get some water. I was surprised to find Trunks sitting at the table in the dark.

"What are you doing awake?" I asked him.

"Couldn't sleep," he murmured. "I hate to admit it, but this place brings back bad memories."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." I poured myself a glass of water and took a seat beside him. "Y'know, it's nice to have someone to talk to."

"Yeah, I wonder what it'd be like without you." I smirked. "So, Pan, whadda you doing up?"

"Same thing as you, Trunks-chan."

"'Chan'? Since when do you refer to me as that?"

"Since now, Trunks-CHAN." I giggle a little. He chuckled a but too, then sighed.

"Are you nervous?" he asked. "About the games, I mean." I gave it some thought as I took a sip of water.

"Nervous as hell. Somehow, during our training in the room, I thought I could sense Cell's power for three months straight. It was weird."

"Really?" Trunks laid back on his chair. "I'm just nervous that something will happen and I'll lose you forever."

"Don't think like that." I took hold of his hand. "We'll make it through. I just know it."

"Not for sure," he sighed. "Anything can happen. I bet everyone in the future are worried about us as it is."

"Trunks, I won't let anything happen to you. I promise. I got your back and you got mine." He smirked.

"Right, and I'll protect you." I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before finishing my water and heading out of the kitchen.

"G'night, Trunks," I whispered soothingly as I stood in the doorway.

"Night, Pan-chan," he replied.

I woke up the next morning feeling relaxed and refreshed.

After breakfast, Trunks and I went to Capsule Corp. to talk to Bulma. She was in her lab, working on what looked like blue-prints for one of the androids. Actually, that was exactly what she was doing! She had android 16, lying unconscious on a table, ready for repairs. I let out a little shriek when I saw him.

"Bulma-san, what are you doing?" I asked, frantic slightly.

"Fixing Juuroku-gou," Bulma replied out of the blue as if she was telling me the time.

"Why?!" I asked a little more forcefully.

"Krillin's idea."

"Why on Earth would he want to help these monsters so badly?"

"Dunno."

"Do you have more than a two-word vocabulary?"

"Maybe."

"Can I borrow a video camera for the Cell games?" Finally, I was able to catch Bulma-san's full attention. She gave me the strangest look, then went back to studying the prints.

"Gomen, I thought you just said you wanted to borrow a camera for the Cell games," she murmured.

"I did."

"Why?"

"That's what I asked," Trunks interrupted.

"Who asked you?" I growled. "Butt out!"

"Pan?" Bulma began, wiping her forehead. "Why would you want a camera?"

"Well, if we win, I want the whole battle on tape."

"No matter how gory, bloody, messy, or disgusting it may get?"

"Yep!"

"And if you lose?"

"Then no one will be around to watch it!"

"You're crazy! Forget it! Totally out of the question, Pan!"

"Please, Bulma-san! How about I tape in between battles or pre-battles? This is the only opportunity I'll get to get everyone you know in the future on tape saying something to my mom, and Chi-chi-san, and Mirai Bulma-san..."

"I get your point, but still! What if you happen to leave it running through the bloodiest battle and end up grossing out anyone who watches it?"

"That's not the main focus though! It's for my family to remember. I wanna bring a piece of the past with me!" Bulma hesitated to continue our argument. Did I win? I heard a sigh escape her lips.

"Fine, but I refuse to watch whatever content you put on it, good or bad."

"Arigato, arigato!!" I squealed as I hugged Bulma. Trunks groaned in the background. "Trunks, didn't I say BUTT OUT!!"

"Thanks a lot," he muttered sarcastically. Bulma pressed two keys on her computer and stood from her chair, taking Trunks' arm.

"Now! How about we get you some clothes?" she announced to him.

"Gee, this day just keeps getting better and better," he grumbled. "First my girl friend proclaims herself as a nut and mom's gonna take me shopping."

"I'm not a nut!" I retorted. "I'm insane. There's a difference."

"Oh, I'm sure." I flashed him my 'Son' smile which I was perfecting now.

For most of the afternoon, I watched TV in the Capsule living room while Trunks was out. A lot of the programs didn't exist in my time or were canceled even before I was born. Getting bored with TV, I went to the backyard and practiced my martial arts. I was noticing the differences of the Capsule house now and the one in my time when someone approached me.

"Excuse me, ma'am," the woman said, holding a microphone to my face with her companion holding a camera. "I'm with KBLV news. We were wondering if we could ask a few questions." Firstly, I was curious to know how they even got on the property. Secondly, why was she asking me questions?

"Uh...what kind of questions?" I asked.

"Well, since the monster Cell has announced the games, we were hoping to get fighter's opinion on it. You look like a fighter, since we spotted you from the side practicing."

"Oh?" Peeping-toms? They're spying on the Briefs family. "And what, may I ask, are you doing, hiding off to the side?"

"Uh, well, um...you see..." the reporter fumbled. She put a hand behind her head and chuckled. "Well, everyone knows that monsters have been spotted several times around this mansion, so we've been watching it for a while."

"Monsters?" I asked, intrigued.

"Well, yeah!" The woman blurted out. "About four years ago, a giant lizard dragon appeared out of nowhere. The police dismissed it as Dr. Briefs' crazy experiments, but we at KBLV news think otherwise."

"Oh, you must be talking about Poronga!" I shouted. "He's no monster. He's the Namek's god of love."

"Oh...I see." The reporter's cameraman looked confused. "So, would you mind if we asked some questions?"

"Sure," I said sweetly. I didn't really plan to answer truthfully since I'd only be there a few days anyway.

"First question, will you be participating in the Cell Games?"

"Yes, I will."

"Oh, could we get your name?"

"Un..." I quickly thought of a fake name to use. "Faith. Sun Faith."

"Sun Faith? You wouldn't happen to be related to Son Goku, winner of the world martial arts competition, would you?"

"Er, no...not at all." I laughed nervously.

"Next question, what is your opinion on Cell? Do you think you'd stand a pretty good chance against him?"

"Well, Cell looks like a serious fighter. He is definitely gonna be a challenge for anyone. He's not kidding around, you know!"

"Are you aware that the world champion himself will be competing too?"

"World champion? Who's that?"

"Mr. Satan! I can't believe you've never heard of him." I nearly gagged.

"Mr. Satan?! Are you serious?! No way!" I knew my grandfather was a big shot, but I never guessed I'd see him in this time period, let alone at the Cell Games. It was just too risky. If he had been killed easily against the androids in my time, he didn't even stand a chance against Cell. "He can't do that! He'll be killed!!"

"Are you nuts? Mr. Satan is the strongest fighter in the world. He's our best chance at survival."

"No! If you want a real hero, do some research on Son Goku! He's the real champion!" Ojiisan Satan must've taken the fame while grandpa Goku had been gone on Namek and Yardrat. With Satan in place, the world must've totally forgotten about the others like Krillin, Master Roshi, and Tien. Even Yamcha deserved some respect.

"Just because Son Goku won a lousy tournament doesn't mean he's stronger than Mr. Satan," the reporter retorted in a snotty voice. "This is much bigger than a stupid contest. This is a matter of life and death, not to mention the deaths of billions of people. If you ask me, Son Goku got lucky." That was it! That was the last straw.

"Get off this property right NOW!!" I screamed. "If I ever see you here or near me again, I will tear out your eyes and make you see how great Goku is!" The reporter and cameraman ran out of the yard screaming in terror. This began my hatred for reporters. It was amazing how the facts could get so screwed up. They thought my grandpa was a lucky bastard that won the Tenkaichi Boudokai out of pure chance, but it took many tries for him to get number one. And even when that battle between him and evil Piccolo meant the fate of Chikyuu, after he won, the world forgot he even existed. I was fuming with anger as I returned to the inside of the house. Sighing, I silently thanked all the gods that Bulma and Trunks weren't there. For a brief moment, I wished Vegeta was there so he would have killed the reporters. Then I remembered how badly I had treated him back on Kami's Lookout. I could apologize for my stupidity earlier, not that he'd even accept my apology.

After Bulma got back with a new wardrobe for Trunks, I explained what happened to her. She quickly apologized for not putting up security and told me to relax because KBLV news was a station no one watched, so even if they were to air the conversation, no one would see it or even care. This brought some comfort, but I was still furious. No one had the right to walk onto someone's property and tell me who's the greatest. They'll see... I thought to myself. They'll see Goku at the Cell games and they'll know the truth. Little did I know, that was far from what really happened.

The following day, it was tousan's birthday! He was turning 11 years old. It felt awkward because I called him 'Father', yet he was younger than me. Grandma prepared a huge cake in his honor, which had a little picture of Gohan, Goku, hers and surprising my face on it. Unfortunately, dad accidentally blew too hard on the candles and the whole cake went up in icing. What was even more surprising was Chi-chi didn't get angry. In fact, she was laughing with the rest of us.

The next few days were short. I went sight seeing with Bulma and her mom, buying lots of things for my mom and obaasan in the future. A lot of the stuff I bought weren't even made anymore in my time. Trunks hung out with Krillin and Yamcha. I'm not too sure what they were up to, but I was sure it was...guy stuff. Four days until the Cell Games, while grandpa, Gohan, and baasan were going out for a picnic, we heard about an air strike on the news while driving. The government was trying to stop Cell by sending airplanes in and tons of ground forces. I shook my head, knowing how the results would turn out in the end. Goku, on the other hand, wasn't taking it too well. He stopped the car suddenly and got out.

"Goku!" Chi-chi yelled. "Where are you going?"

"I have to warn those people," Goku said as he took flight and flew out of sight.

"Oh great..." grandma muttered. "Now who's gonna drive us home?"

"We could just fly," Gohan suggested. Baasan stared at him as if he had grown an extra arm or something.

"But...the car...who will...what will happen to the car...?" she stuttered.

"Can't you capsulize it?" I asked. "This is a capsule car, so there should be a button on it somewhere."

"Fine," she grumbled. After capsulizing the car, I was stuck having to carry grandma all the way home.

"So, where'd do you think my dad ran off to?" Gohan asked eventually. "There's no way he could have possibly arrived in time."

"Well...wait!" I said after some thought. "Doesn't he know how to teleport?"

"Oh yeah..." tousan said with a smile.

"I don't think we have to worry too much about him. Cell promised he wouldn't attack us before the Cell games..."

"...Unless he was provoked," dad finished.

"Well if Cell is as powerful as you guys say he is," Chi-chi interrupted. "Then he probably won't even fight back."

"Yeah, good point," tousan and I agreed. Sure, it made sense at the time, but later that day, we saw a news report of how the entire army had been destroyed. Chi-chi didn't like what was happening at all. She decided to give me and Gohan lots of work and studying to keep our minds of the upcoming Games. At least she cares...

The next day, I made up some plans for me and Trunks. At Capsule Corp., we talked them over and Trunks agreed. Ice skating it was! We arrived at the ice rink in West Capital city, got some skates, and hit the ice. Literally.

"Ow!" I cursed as I hit the ice floor again. Trunks sighed and helped me up.

"Not very good at this, are we?" he joked, just before he slipped and fell over. I smirked devilishly.

"I don't know how, but I set that one up," I laughed. Trunks growled and pulled me down too only to land on top of him. We sat there for a second, both blushing. I quickly got up and offered my hand to him. He grinned and took my hand, getting up as well.

"This would be a lot easier if we used our ki's instead of fumbling around like idiots," Trunks stated. Shrugging, I gave that a shot. Using my ki, I was able to keep a better balance and actually float of the ice like a normal person. I smirked a smile worthy of Vegeta and tagged Trunks.

"Try and catch me if you can!" I persuaded. I hit the high gears and took off, skating around away from Trunks. Of course, he was chasing me, but he was much faster and was able to catch up rather quickly. Before I knew it, there were his arms, circling me.

"Gotcha," he whispered in my ear. Slowing down, we reached the bench side area and got off the ice. Just as I reached the bench, someone bumped into me. We both fell to the ground, cursing our clumsiness.

"I'm sorry, sir!" I quickly apologized.

"No, it was my fault," the fallen man replied. He looked like something straight out of a 60's movie. He had the Afro and mustache look. He seemed to be looking at me with curiosity. "Have we met?" I stared at him blankly.

"No, not that I know of," I said, rubbing the back of my head, Son style. The man shook his head.

"Sorry, you just remind me of my daughter, Videl," he said before getting up and leaving. Leaving me speechless. I scrambled to my feet.

"Wait!" I called, but it was too late. The man was gone. I felt a hand touch my shoulder.

"Who was that?" Trunks asked me gently. I was silent for a moment, as if trying to figure out the answer to a question I already knew well.

"He's my grandpa. Grandpa Satan."

*****