In fact, they were preparing their attack and finding some battle strategies, ignoring as much as they could the protests of Bulma, who was on the edge of a nerves crisis.

- You are not going, you two! I swore to Chichi that I wouldn't let anything happen to you, Goten, don't make me break my promise!!
- ...could fly around like this and attack from behind, suggested Goten to his niece, with the help of a pen and a piece of paper.
- Pan, please! Don't be as dumb as the Son boy!

The black haired woman nodded and grabbed the pen.

- And then you could do a Kamehameha or something...
- Yamcha, say something!! screamed Bulma, almost hysterical.
- Goten, Pan, listen to me please... started her old time friend. You must not let anger guide you... You both know you don't have the strength to fight Miga yet, so...
- We're not that weak, sharply replied Pan.

A smirk appeared on C-18's lips. The cyborg was sat at the table and simply assisting to the scene in silence. In front of her, the black spiky cat and the scarred one were attentively listening at the plan's preparation.

- Listen, Yamcha, we've waited enough, said Goten calmly. Three years. Not three days, or three months. Three years, fearing him and the rain, wondering if any cat we'd see was really one, or if it was someone we might knew. I can't live like this anymore, hiding in a cave with half the people I know changed into cats!!

Vegeta hissed angrily, Trunks looked down, dark. Bulma clenched her fists, her cheeks blushing furiously. When she talked, her voice was cold and trembled slightly.

- Shut up, Goten. You don't even know what you're talking about. You think you're living Hell? You weren't listening when we told you about Mirai Trunks or what?! He spent his life training and hoping, he saw his best, only friend, his sensei, dieing. He had a bad life, but he still waited the good moment!!

She breathed deeply after the last word, her eyes sparkling with anger. Yamcha and C-18 noticed she hadn't mentioned the numerous tentatives the boy from future had made before going back in time.

Goten sighed heavily. He knew Bulma was right, but he didn't want to listen at her. What did she know about fighting anyway? He grabbed the pen, drew another schema in silence. So what if that other Trunks had tolerated "Hell" half of his life time? Why should it be his case too?!

Pan nodded to his plan, avoiding to look at anything else but the sheet of paper. Bulma and Yamcha's words had made their way in her mind, she was scared of fighting, of being turned into a cat, but she wouldn't run away. She was the worthy grand-daughter of Son Goku, daughter of Son Gohan, she would prove she was a true warrior, just like them.

Bulma kept talking, trying to convince them, but she was only repeating herself and fatigue was filling her. Yamcha was silent, staring at the two saiyan hybrids with regret and small hope. If they were so confident... There was always a chance they could win...

C-18 left as a heavy silence fell on the room. Vegeta and Trunks stared at the sheet, both perfectly immobile. Bulma sighed, giving up, and left quickly, followed by Yamcha. Before he left though, the now old man turned to Goten and Pan.

- Hey, kids... If you're really decided to do it, then put all your heart in this fight. But if you see you're going to lose, then give up and come back. We don't need more cats, nor more death.

Suddenly, Vegeta jumped from the table and started scratching Yamcha violently. Obviously, the royal being had enough of being considered as what he now was: a simple cat. Complaining loudly about hysterical cats and the need of cutting their claws, Yamcha made his way to his room, trying to get rid of his furious aggressor.

Goten and Pan sweat dropped, then both turned to Trunks. With its long scar crossing its cheek and its deadly serious eyes, the blue and purple cat could have scared them if they hadn't known it was their friend.

- We're gonna do it, buddy, said Goten. Even without you.

~~~

A bird chirped loudly outside, as if it wanted to tell everybody that the sun was up and warm already.

In his bed, Goten sighed silently. It was time to get up, but in the same time, he wanted to stay there forever. Fear was wringing his heart. What if they weren't ready? They could just wait and train real hard for a while and then try...

He glanced at the other bed. Rolled up into a ball on his pillow, Trunks was still sleeping. Beside him, the purple and white kitten was also deep in some feline dream. A smile appeared on the young man's face. It was a touching scene... Even turned into cat, Bra would look for the comfort of her older brother's presence...

How he missed Gohan suddenly...

- Goten!! Wake u... Oh.

Pan shut up when she saw her uncle awaken, stood in the doorway silently. Her eyes covered Trunks and Bra at their turn and she smiled.

- Marron made a breakfast from Hell for us, she then said, closing the door. Hurry before I eat it all.

Goten got up, dressed up quickly. In the honor of his father and brother, he was wearing a blue shirt under an orange, loose fighting suit. The symbol on his chest was the one of hope though, and Trunks and Pan also had it somewhere on their fighting clothes. Something they had decided to all do after the first telling of Mirai Trunks' story...

Now ready, he petted the two sleepy cats gently on the head, careful to not wake them up.

- Pray for us... We'll need it.

Trunks yawned, though remained asleep.

- Yeah, sleep when I'm going to fight to revenge your sorry ass, mocked Goten, leaving the bedroom.


Less than an hour later, Goten and Pan were ready to leave. The weather seemed to be making fun of them, being so beautiful and warm. Birds were happily chirping around the mountain and a gentle breeze would cool down the rock. But however cheerful the world around them could be, the people living in the cave couldn't smile along.

Bulma hugged the two remaining Sons tightly, trying to not cry.

- You better come back, winner or not! Better be a loser than being dead!

A little behind her, C-18 rolled her eyes as Vegeta started to choke. Yamcha shook Goten's hand, patted Pan on the shoulder. Marron then hugged her friends, holding back tears as she could.

- Be careful! she said, quickly picking up a mewing Videl.
- Of course, said Goten, as he was petting his always over-excited father.

Pan bit her lip, staring at the blue and black cat thoughtfully. Finally, her hand rose in the air and her finger tips stroked the soft fur, shyly. The cat mewed happily, moved its head up so it'd fill the hesitating hand. The young woman smiled.

- Ok, Goten, I'm ready, she said firmly.

He smiled back to her, with the same confident smile typical of Saiyans that she had herself. With a last "Bye!" to the others, they left the cave, flying away rapidly. They'd been looking for Miga's ki before leaving and knew where he was.

Knew where the battle would take place.


Chapter 7
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