Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Not Forgotten, Not Alone ❯ I'm Sorry ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: (Pries eyes open with toothpicks) Nope, not mine . . .but the bed is . . .good night.

A/N: So yeah, I know I've been seriously lacking on my updates for this fic. So I added just enough drama in here to try and mend things with you reviewers. But work and school are taking up a lot of my time, so its really hard to get in some real writing time. So sorry, and I hope you like this chap!

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Not Forgotten, Not Alone

Chapter Five

I'm Sorry

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She gave her shoulders a little shrug and opened the box. What was inside it was something she had not been expecting. But neither did she know why she needed it.

"A sippy cup?"

Now why on earth would Trunks give her a . . . oh.

Sippy cups don't spill what's in them, therefore, she couldn't spill anything else on him.

Like coffee?

Pan's eyes bled red and her eyebrow twitched. He was making a joke of her.

"Trunks you jerk!"

Letting her frustration out in a huff, Pan followed after Trunks to their office. She had gotten to where she knew the hallways pretty good, so she wouldn't get lost in them again. There was an incident she didn't want to repeat again.

~ * ~

Underneath furrowed brows, chocolate eyes stared down at the object nestled between two callused hands. It was smooth, and such a bright yellow that any normal human being would think of it as an object of cheery optimism. But to her, it was a challenge. To her, it was the announcement of a war. Such an announcement had to be responded to. And she would respond in kind to the war that he obviously wanted.

"Excuse me."

So where was that guy anyway? He had disappeared after her initial reaction to her present and had yet to reappear. She played with the idea that maybe he was scared that if he showed up anywhere within a fifty foot radius of her sight she would immediately pummel him into a bloody pulp. That would be fun . . .

"Miss Ochi?"

First she would take a comb and rat his obscenely gorgeous hair, and then she would ruffle his nearly perfect attire. Perhaps even take his glasses and hide them away so he wouldn't be able to see the next move she would do. Only then, would she ask him if he was sorry. And if he wasn't, then it was a simple matter of tying his shoelaces together so he would trip when he tried to catch her after she gave him a big, wet kiss on his . . . wait, where did that thought come form?

"Hello?"

Pan's lips curled into a devious grin at her newfound plan of attack. Oh yeah, once she found Trunks she'd make him pay for giving her such a baby present.

"MISS OCHI!"

"Huh? What?"

The lady standing in front of her gave a mental sigh, why didn't anyone ever listen to her when she was talking?

"There's a man in the waiting room who wishes to have a word with you. He didn't give me a name, but said he knew you. Would you like me to send him away?"

Pan's brows furrowed. Who could he be? She hadn't met many people since she moved here, and to her knowledge the man without a face hadn't found out she was hiding out here. So who could it be? Part of her mind was screaming at her to high tail it and run for the closest exit, but the other part, the part that normally was the one responsible for her getting in trouble was piqued with curiosity and demanded that she find out who it was.

"No, that wont be necessary. I'll see who it is, thank you . . ."

"Kimi"

Pan smiled prettily, and bowed to Kimi before turning to make her way toward the waiting room.

"Oh, and he also said something along the lines of 'the hunt,' but I didn't catch too much of that." Kimi then turned and headed back to her desk, picking up her nail file and continuing where she had left off.

Pan, however, stopped in her tracks, the word hunt running rampage over her thoughts. It couldn't be, she swore she covered all her tracks this time! It wasn't possible for him to have found her already!

Hesitance crept into her veins and suddenly she wasn't so sure about seeing her visitor. By now it wasn't just her mind screaming warning, but also her instincts telling her that this place she was at, was not a place she should be. And if there was anything in this game of cat and mouse she had learned, it was to trust her instincts.

Her muscles betrayed her line of thought though, as she once again started to move toward the waiting room. Fear griped her body and mind, refusing to let her go from its grasp. A shaky hand quickly jerked some hair behind her ear before slowly pushing the door open that loomed in front of her.

What she expected to find in that one small room she wasn't sure, but it certainly wasn't what actually did greet her.

"Nothing." The half-relieved whisper passed from her lips before she could stop it. Indeed, the room was empty. It even looked as though no one had been there to begin with. The magazines still sat in their place on the desk, hell, the cushions on the chairs even looked as though hey hadn't be sat in for a week.

Even so, the fine hairs on her arm still stood on end. The room seemed to be too quiet, and her mind did not let this fact pass by. And where was her visitor? Where did he go?

"Bah! Maybe he just got tired of waiting for me and left." Seemed logical enough, but her nerves were still giving her warning signals.

~ * ~

Trunks smiled happily to himself. Three points Pan, two points Trunks, he was catching up! Okay, slowly, but the fact remained, he was catching up. It had been an easy win.

"She never saw it coming." His ego once again revived, Trunks practically skipped the way back to his office. He was fully aware of the names she would throw at him once he got back, maybe she would even try to hurt him again like she had done on the first day she had started to work for him.

Ah, but yes, today was a good day.

He made it to his office in a matter of seconds, his cheer seemingly to make the trip back shorter. Throwing the door open, Trunks smiled and closed his eyes. 'Here it comes.'

Nothing?

With no verbal abuse seeming to come, Trunks opened his eyes and met with a decidedly empty room. His face screwed up with confusion.

"Or not?"

Okay, so he had imagined that she would have gone to the office to do her work, not go home because he hurt her feelings or anything. He suddenly felt put out. All that work, all that planing he had put into buying her a present, and she wasn't even there to have a good fight with? Man, maybe today wasn't meant to be a good day after all.

Heaving a sigh, Trunks turned and left his office, he didn't want to be in that room if she wasn't.

~ * ~

Giving her head a good shake to calm her nerves Pan sat down on one of the chairs. Maybe her visitor had to leave momentarily to relieve himself or something. She couldn't have made him wait that long to make him want to just flat out leave. Could she have?

Lifting one of the magazines her eyes lazily scanned over the cover.

"Fifty ways to please your man! Find out on page 58."

With flushed checks, Pan quickly placed the magazine back in its home and prayed that no one had seen her look at that.

"You know, you really do look quite beautiful prepped and primed in that suit of yours." A husky voice drawled out from somewhere near the door.

'NO!' Her mind screamed at her. 'I'm so STUPID!'

Wide chocolate eyes turned to search for her tormentor's whereabouts.

"I bet you're wondering how I found you? Aren't you? My beautiful Pan, you should know it's useless to run from me, I'll always catch you. You can't hide; I'll find you." Hooded eyes gazed over her body, marveling at the soft curves that the suit was designed to enhance. If only he could let his hands roam over those curves, feeling her soft skin ripple as she lay sprawled out beneath him.

His hidden lips curved into an evil grin, this was going to be fun.

"Run Pan. Run fast." His husky voice hitched with excitement at the chase that was going to begin.

And Pan, with the opportunity to escape being given to her, didn't wait another second before she dashed out from the room. Her mind screamed at her for her stupid mistake, she should have know, she should have known! Of course she couldn't escape, she would never be safe so long as he still sought her. How could she have ever thought that she would be able to hide from the likes of him?

The walls blurred into one long tunnel, the ending blended into a metaphorical light that she had to get to. This place that she had thought would offer her solace from her trouble only served to become more of a jumbled prison. She had two options left to her: she could leave through the front door and try to lose him in the streets, or she could continue to run down the many hallways in an effort to confuse her pursuer and then leave. Both options didn't settle well with her stomach. In the end, now that he had found her, it was her main priority to skip town again, and try to become scarce. The only problem was, she didn't want to leave.

She wanted to stay in Japan, she wanted to continue to try to live a normal life, have a job, and own an apartment. Why was life so cruel to her? How long would this last? Would she ever be free from her foster parents, or would they continue on this drawn out chase?

Her eyelids covered her troubled eyes, opening the way for cool and collected to overcome any anxiousness previous. Her rushed steps slowed to a more sedate pace, just as her beating heart slowed back down to normal. The mind, once foggy, cleared itself of all irrational thought, leaving only a whispered voice of the need to survive.

She would leave again. But this time, unlike all the other times she was forced to run, she would be leaving something that had come to be addicting to her.

She would leave him.

~ * ~

Harsh lips drew another drag from the cigarette resting between them, savoring the taste as the silky smoke rolled across his tough and into his lungs. Even as his dark, hooded eyes watched as her form slowly disappeared from his vision, he didn't take a step after her.

"I'll let her go this time." He mumbled around the cigarette before removing it from his mouth and flicking it into the ashtray.

With one last wavering glance in Pan's direction, the man turned and walked through the exit into the crowed. She knew he was watching her, she knew he knew where she was, so what would she do now?

A lazy smile grew across his otherwise emotionless face as he proceeded to walk a way from his prey.

~ * ~

And the day seemed to get worse and worse.

A tired sigh passed from his lips as he carried his new list of "things to do" back to his office. Of course, with being in the position of power that he was currently in at work, the list wasn't what any of the other lower associates would get. Nope, his was a 10 page, get this done now, list. One of the likes that he would have normally handed to his secretary. However, he seemed to have chased her away, so he was left to deal with the mess by himself.

Pushing the door open to his office Trunks walked to his desk and deposited his stack of papers there. The emotion on his face clearly explained what he thought about for this situation he now found himself in. Taking a seat, he continued to glare at his work. Mentally wishing that it would either one, spontaneously combust; two, get eaten by an invisible dog; or three, vanish all together.

But since none of those things seemed likely to happen, Trunks snatched up his pencil and proceeded to scan over his list, placing checks next to the things that held more importance than others.

Five minutes passed, then ten minutes, the time seemed to slow to a crawl, and it was all he could do to keep himself from falling asleep.

It was the last thing on the list that woke him up though, clearly stated, in big, bold letters, was his last order to find himself a date for the executive parting next month.

"Well, at least Mother seems to have her priorities straight." Trunks paused, "Before I know it she'll be telling me in these lists to find a wife and spawn children." Actually, now that he thought about it, the idea of his mother doing that didn't seem as far-fetched anymore.

Trunks contemplated silently over the current people who would be available to go to the party. His mind hit a wall as soon as one name crossed it. Maybe?

"I wonder if Pan would like to go?" Too caught up in his own thoughts, Trunks didn't hear the almost silent steps enter his office until the perpetrator voiced its opinion.

"You know, I heard that speaking to one's self was a sign of insanity."

A pause, and then a groan. That particular person wasn't the one he wanted to be standing in his office. Why did good days always end up this way?

"What do you want?"

Bra flashed him her most innocent smile before chirping out happily, "Oh nothing much. Just came here to call you an idiot like always, among other things."

Her smile was responded to by a scowl, "Hm, out of the two people in this one room, I find it hardly feasible to think that I am the one who is the idiot."

And her glare was his answer. Flipping her hair over her shoulder, Bra flashed a glare in his direction before blowing it off.

"Whatever. Anyway, I came here to give you more paper work. Mother wants you to look for the DJ this time. Originally she wanted me to, seeing as how I have the better taste in music and all, but it's your turn."

His lips lifted into a wry smile. Great, one more thing to add to his list, just what he always wanted.

"And?" Trunks prompted her to continue, hoping above hope that was the only reason for her intrusion.

"And? Oh yes, you're a jerk!"

"My, what a big vocabulary you have." Trunks droned out, already tired of his sisters antics. "Humor me, just why is it that I'm a jerk?"

The coldness that reflected from his kid sister's eyes would have scared him if she wasn't the daughter of Vegeta.

"Well, for starters, you managed to successfully chase away another secretary. Pan just put in her two weeks notice. Good going bro!"

To say he was stunned would have been an understatement. Could he really have hurt her feelings that bad to make her want to quit? It was only a sippy cup! He'd done worse to her before. Hell! She was the one that started it with her pouring steaming, hot coffee all over him.

Her voice was dipped in sarcasm as she bit out, "Well, I'll be off then. Unlike you, I can't just sit around and do nothing. I have a new secretary to find."

He wasn't stunned, no, he was in denial.

"She didn't really leave because of me, did she?" He didn't really expect anyone to answer the question, Bra had left and walls can't speak. At least, he hoped not.

Was he really such a horrible person? He was just messing around with her, he thought she knew that. It was just too fun to get that angry part of her to come alive. It was all just a game. He thought she knew that!

Oddly, he felt betrayed, as though some mystical being had come and stole from him his favorite toy.

Well, there was only one way to fix that. His face straightened to determination. If she really wanted to leave, then fine, she could leave. But he wouldn't give her up without a fight.

~ * ~

Even though the sun was still high above her head, she felt cold. A bone chilling rawness that only comes with the knowledge that life was dead. And though life was not truly dead, for her, it felt like it. A dull haze wrapped itself around all that came to her view, denying her the simple pleasure of color. Always for her it was black and white, the gray in itself some unknown concept.

She continued walking through the parking lot, across the street and down the sidewalk. Never looking back, not wanting to look back. She dimly noted that her eyes were growing misty, and was confused by that aspect. After all these years, wasn't she done crying yet? Hadn't she cried enough, hadn't she wished enough times for life to go back to being bright and cheery? It was all in vain though, her life, the one she had once known, was dead. Much like the surrounding world that her feet always led her to. Or was it her that was dead and not the world? Did she only feel as though she was dead simply because the world taunted her with its life?

Maybe that was the case, but either way, she couldn't find the mind now to care. It was always the same, first she would hide, then he would find her, and she would run. Quite frankly, she was tired of it. Pan was tired of this life, and wanted it to end with every fiber of her otherwise numb heart.

The tears in her eyes grew and slowly leaked down her check, leaving behind crystal rives of lost hope.

She heard the sound of something flying at her, knowing it was going to hit her, but she just didn't have the effort to move.

Oops.

The tears in her eyes quickly faded, and instead of seeing the dullness of her world, all she could see were stars.

"OW!"

Swinging around to face her attacker her eyes met first with another object being thrown at her. Only unlike last time, where she simple just didn't care if the object hit its mark, this time around she wasn't fast enough to move out of the way.

A bright, cheery yellow sippy cup flew at her with undeniable speed, successfully crashing into her forehead.

Scrunching her eyes up, both hands rushed to her head to rub the two places that were now screaming at her.

"God damn it! That hurt!"

"Good." A cool, husky voice drifted toward her. "When I found out you were . . . leaving, I found your present and thought you had forgotten it. And being the nice person that I am, decided I should return it."

Her eyes flew open at the voice, surprise and shock written all over her face before she could hide it under a mask of indifference. Trunks noticed it though, and found that to be his opening.

"You seem surprised?" A lavender eyebrow quirked at her, urging her to say something.

She didn't take the bait though, and remained hidden under her mask. If he had something to say, then she knew he was going to say it regardless of what she told him.

"I'm your boss Pan, it's my job to know." Trunks paused, half hoping that she would say something, and half wanting her to stay quiet.

An uncomfortable silence stretched between them as both sets of eyes stared into the other.

I don't want you to leave.

I don't want to go.

Trunks broke the silence and the stare first. Lowering his eyes gaze to his feet, he spoke softly enough that only she would hear him, and not the onlookers.

"Why are you quitting?"

For the second time that day Pan's heart felt as though it was being forcible ripped from her chest. Why was she leaving? Because she had to, because she wasn't safe here, because everyone she knew wasn't safe so long as she remained. But he wouldn't understand the truth, she herself hardly understood it all. So what then was she supposed to tell him?

"I . . ." She couldn't find the words she wanted to say.

"Is it because of me?" Trunks brought his eyes back up to meet hers, wanting to see for himself if it really was because of him.

A bemused smile found itself tickling her lips. How like him. Always so arrogant, so egotistical to think that everything revolved around him. A half-hearted laugh broke free from her throat as she reassured him that no, it wasn't his fault.

"No, it's not because of you."

"Then why?" His curiosity was piqued even further at the knowledge that it wasn't him who had chased her way. Though for some reason, that fact didn't exactly comfort him either. "If not because of me, then why?"

Pan sighed, why did he have to push it. Wasn't it enough that she had put in a two weeks notice instead of just flat out leaving?

Giving her shoulders a shrug, Pan answered with as much truth as she could.

"Because it's time for me to leave. Now Trunks, if you'll excuse me, I have to get home."

What happened Pan? What's wrong?

I'm so sorry Trunks, but this is the way it has to be.

Tbc.

~*~

Next Chapter:

You know, I haven't really decided what I wanna do. I'll either get right on with the story, or do a past chapter. You know, like, start off when pan was eight, and explain what all happened. Maybe even explain why in the first chap Pan was in a pretty dress and all beat up. Maybe . . .Let me know what you think! I'm undecided, and open for ideas!

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Character Notes:

Pan: She's scared. The man with no face has been hunting her down since she was like, 15 or something . . .sad . . .I don't remember. . . So she's finding herself falling back into who she had to be to live the way she did. Oh yeah, and um, as for her feelings for Trunks. Me no tell.

Trunks: Hey, I can make my Jerk Trunks be sensitive sometimes! Can't I? Anyway, so yeah, Trunks is basically acting like anybody would if they just found out that it could have been that chased away a potential friend. He's confused.

Bra: I know I never really put in any scenes with Bra and Pan actually talking together. There's a reason for that! Really!

Kimi: She was a whim character that I borrowed from my sister. Probably wont show up again.

~ * ~

To the Reviewers! I didn't get too many reviews, but I still love you all!

DANNA: LMAO! Yeah, that would be great!

Trunks: Here Pan, have some training wheels!

Pan: . . .Jerk. . .*grabs training wheels and throws them at Trunks's head*

Trunks: @.@

Never mind, I don't want Trunks to have a concussion yet . . .

Ladybugg: Well, I hope I explained a little bit more about the man with no face. I'm trying not to push this story while at the same time, trying to tie up some lose ends. Is it working? No? Well, gee… lol, Well, I'm happy you still like my story! Hope you loved this chap!

Saiyan-hinote-demoness: (hides behind chair) I didn't take too long to update did I? (Looks at calendar) only a month! Thank you sooo much for your praise! I love the ego busters! (throughs Pepsi Spirits way)

Arkhato: Yay! A new reviewer! Its all part of my covert plan to take over the reviewing world . . .wait, did I just say that out loud? Um . . .(gives arkhato cookies) you didn't hear a thing . . .