Four days after his confrontation with Miga, Trunks only had a nice scar on his cheek left. He was darker though, rage boiling inside as he avoided mirrors as he could, not caring that his hair was getting messy, that himself was beginning to be scary looking. After four days though, his beard was making him so ugly that his mother shaved him herself, knocking some sense into him in the same time. But she quickly realized the young man wasn't listening at all.

- This can't go on, Yamcha, she complained to her old friend as caressing a small shivering kitten, a while later. Trunks' going insane, Pan is almost killing the cats and Goten... Well Goten isn't doing so bad, but this can't go on anyway!

In her arms, the lavender and white animal cringed a little. Bulma patted it gently.

- We'll talk to them during the dinner, said Yamcha, sadly smiling at the poor creature. We must not risk to have more... Victims...

Frowning, Bulma held the cat tighter and left the room, calling after Vegeta.

Yamcha sighed.

~~~

Eating time used to be lifeful and entertaining, especially when some saiyan stomach was around. Now it was quite silent and tensed. The only thing that could lighten the atmosphere a little was the behavior of the cats.

They were seven. While four of them would remain calm and quiet most of the time, the three others surely brought animation in the huge cave. And that night was no exception.

Bulma and Goten were chasing the two black cats who wouldn't stop stealing each other's food and had started yet another fight, while Marron was vainly trying to push away a persistent and perverted cat. Pan was eating as fast as possible, stressed by all those felines around her; Trunks would just ignore everything and focused on his plate.

Finally, C-18 threw away the obscene cat for her daughter and the two fighting animals calmed down. Well, one seemed to want to "play" still and the other one jumped onto Bulma's lap angrily. The dinner was almost over though and if Bulma wanted to talk to the trio of warriors, she had to start quickly. Shoving a piece of meal in the black cat's mouth so it'd shut up, she cleared her throat.

- Trunks, Goten, Pan, we have to talk.

Her son growled slightly, Pan frowned and Goten only blinked, waiting for her to continue. But it was Yamcha who spoke next.

- This can't go on, he said. I'm not talking about Miga and the situation of Earth, but of your behaviors and attitudes.
- Our attitudes? said Goten, looking confused.
- Especially for Trunks and Pan, explained Bulma.

C-18 got up in silence, left. Marron wondered if she should also go, but the blue and black cat mewed her to pick her up, which she did gently. Pan's eyes avoided her.

- Pan is completely ignoring the cats when she's not trying to kill them, started Bulma again, petting the one on her thighs protectively.
- I don't try to kill them! protested the young woman. They're always on my way!
- It's no reason! You could have killed your own grand-father, the other time!
- He was trying to eat my shirt and besides... My grandpa isn't a cat!!

Pan jumped from her seat, picked up the cat with messy dark fur who was staring at her with a confusion.

- It's only an ugly, stupid cat! she said through her teeth.
- Pan... Don't start that again, ok? sighed Goten, taking the animal from his niece and caressing it sadly.
- I'm not starting anything! It's just that this c...

She shut up as Yamcha's hand slapped her cheek strongly, though not enough to hurt her. It did hurt her pride and she remained quiet, fire burning with rage in her eyes.

- Enough. You know that this cat is Goku, and that this one is your mother, Pan. I understand you have a problem with them being animals, but don't deny it, for Kami's sake!

Pan clenched her fists but didn't reply. In Marron's arms, the female cat mewed quietly.

- Listen, mom, Yamcha, suddenly said Trunks calmly. I'm sorry if my attitude bothers you, but do you think it's easy to be the only hope left and to not be able to save the world?!
- I told you about that, whispered Bulma. It can take time, but you'll make it one day.
- One day! Meanwhile, the Earth is being destroyed, its inhabitants, killed! And we can't do anything!

He winced as the scar on his cheek started to burn, but didn't calm down.

- We have to attack again, he told Goten and Pan. As soon as possible, he won't expect that. And this time, we all put everything we have in one, big ki blast. With effect of surprise, it sho...

A bitter chuckle interrupted him. All eyes turned to C-18, who was leaning against the wall, her cold eyes gleaming with scorn.

- That's even more pathetic than Vegeta's attempt to fight me, years ago, she said.

On Bulma's lap, the black cat hissed furiously. No one paid attention to it though, too surprised by the cyborg's intervention. Usually, she'd stay silent, only shaking her head slightly...

- How is it pathetic? finally asked Trunks, vexed.
- You already tried that method, fool. It didn't work and you have made no progress since last time. But if you want to augment the population of cats, go ahead.
- Mom, protested Marron, vainly.

A heavy silence filled the room. Trunks frowned, his eyes burning with anger. He knew she was right and it was so frustrating to have no hope! Goten sighed, looked down. Pan, at the mention of more cats, had grown tense and was now breathing deeply to stay calm. No way she would be a cat!

C-18 sustained Trunks' look until he moved it away. A soft smirk on her lips, she gave a mocking look to the cat on Bulma's thighs and left.

Silently, Piccolo followed her. The blue and black feline stayed in Marron's arms, her huge eyes sparkling with relief. It meant Pan wouldn't go...

Slowly, Trunks noticed that everybody waited for him to speak, to move, to do something. He stared at his mother for a long time, then breathed slowly.

- We'll attack tomorrow, around seven. Be ready.

He left immediately. Pushing the cat onto the floor, Bulma ran after him. Goten shook his head, went outside.

Pan looked at the blue and black cat in her friend's arms, her dark eyes shinning too much. No way... She wouldn't be a cat, she wouldn't be defeated! And she would revenge her father!


Chapter 4
Back to Fanfiction