Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Bachelor Party ❯ Haunted ( Chapter 1 )

+The Bachelor Party+

+By Faye Valentine+

+Chapter One+

The Vegeta household had never been as busy in its entire history as it was that day. (Well, it was the busiest day to date-the wedding was scheduled for the next day.)

Bulma Briefs was in her usual officious mood, bossing all the servants around, telling them where to put this decoration, that piece of furniture in the main hall of the Capsule Corporation mansion. Son Videl was flitting in and out of the guestrooms, making sure the brides maids' dresses were perfect for the next day. Somewhere in the kitchen the bride-to-be ate a late lunch, smiling to herself and eagerly anticipating the next day. In the chefs' quarters, however, there was very little activity-if they wanted to make a perfect meal for tomorrow's even, they were certainly going to need their rest.

And in the future groom's quarters the young prince lie on his bed, his stress accumulating with every passing minute. "How did I ever get pressured into this?" He whispered sullenly. The engagement party was bearable-hell; even all the press coverage didn't really bother me. But now it's actually going to happen. Oh, Dende, why didn't I just listen to my father? Why am I marrying Son Pan? Trunks snorted. Of course, I seriously doubt he would have approved of my relationship with a half-android, either.

He sat up suddenly and his thoughts stung, almost as if he'd been hoping for a miracle. She never even responded. He walked over to his desk and found her name and address staring back at him. He almost laughed. "...Nevada, USA" it read. He touched the address book lightly, tracing the print and let his mind wander. "She just wanted to get away from me," He said so softly, as if spoke the truth too loudly his world would suddenly come crashing down around him, crushing him with its weight.

The door opened slightly and Trunks was forced to snap out of it. He frowned, but there came a soft giggle from behind and his expression lightened.

"Guess who," Pan said, laughing when she covered his eyes. Trunks peeled away her small hands away and turned to give her a kiss on the cheek.

"I wonder," His brow furrowed, "How'd you do that?"

She giggled, "Instant Transmission. Ojiisan taught me."

"That's...cool," He struggled, needing desperately to be alone for some reason. An idea flickered into his mind, "Hey, I'd really like to see you in your dress. I know it's supposed to be bad luck and all, but-"

"It's only bad luck on your wedding day." Pan chimed in, trying her best to please him.

Pathetic. "Great. Why don't you go do that now so we have time to get ready for the rehearsal dinner." And the bachelor party. Trunks smirked. There was one consolation, after all.

Pan jumped to her task like a lap dog and left the young prince with his thoughts.

+

And somewhere in that over-sized mansion, the actual head of the household sat, doing nothing for the first time in his life but sulk over the impending union of the two Saiya-jin bloodlines. Vegeta grunted, shoved popcorn in his mouth and switched on Q.V.C., his only confirmation that there were people who led a more pathetic life than he did.

+ + + + + + + + + +

Marron rested her head against the back of the seat and gazed out at the clouds wistfully. Turbulence disturbed her thoughts, however and she swore silently. The man next to her woke from a catnap and when he saw the expression on her face, he chuckled sleepily.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," He touched her hand fondly, "but this was the last flight we could take to get there in time."

"It's not that bad," She said off-handedly, looking back outside at the clouds that seemed to suddenly resemble an old lover's face. Her boss noticed her distracted tone and was alarmed,

"Hey, Marron, you're not thinking of quitting soon, are you?" You're my best girl, after all!" He said worriedly, searching her face. She snapped out of it and laughed.

"Chris, please! I'm only halfway through my senior year. How else am I going to get money to get me through the rest of the year?" And she gave him a kiss on the cheek to reassure him. Chris' expression lightened and he ordered a drink, pleased.

"That's just great, Mar. After all, you have a big job tonight- One of our best-paying customers yet." But Marron was drawn to the clouds again, yet still not realizing why Trunks' face had been haunting her all day...

+

Marron was hurrying about her hotel room, trying to finish getting ready when the phone rang. It was Richard, her psychology professor.

"Hey, darling. How was your flight?" Normally Marron would have been thrilled to hear from her lover, but today for some reason she didn't much feel like talking. She kept thinking about the face she had seen in the clouds earlier, thought about touching those features gently, caressing them sleepily... She shook her head angrily.

"Hello, Richard. Listen, sweet- sweetheart. I don't mean to be rude, but I've got to be going. I'm already a few minutes late." She sputtered out, and closed her eyes tightly, realizing how nasty she sounded. But Richard seemed nonplussed,

"Alright. I'll let you go," He chuckled, "I'll let you go. Give me a call tomorrow when you're not so busy, okay?"

"Right on." She smiled nervously and hung up. She looked in the mirror quickly, fixed an earring and trotted down the main stairs, toward the bachelor party in the ballroom. She took a deep breath and told herself to forget about Trunks and just dance well to make Chris proud. What she hadn't quite deduced, however, was the obvious: Her old boyfriend was waiting for her in the very ballroom into which she rushed.

+O+W+A+R+I+

+Chapter One+