Forbidden

Intertwined

Part Two: In Which All is Found 

*****
28- Intertwined

Late Summer

Pan smiled to herself as she walked down the castle hallways. She couldn't believe how good her life was at the moment. It almost seemed too good to be true. She got to see Trunks nearly every day unless he was away for a raid. Her Mama, Uncle, and Brother were all healthy. Things were so good.

As Pan neared the Entrance Hallway, she could hear voices, and one of them belonged to Gohan. She sped up her pace and hid behind a wall as she peeked out over the stair rails. Lord Koba was standing in the Entrance Hallway, and he looked very displeased. Pan felt her stomach dropping.

"I didn't even get a chance," Lord Koba stated.

"I'm sorry," Gohan apologized calmly. "But she has made her choice."

"You know that I would be way more beneficial to the Kingdom-"

"Lord Koba," Gohan raised his voice.

Lord Koba's eyes widened, and he took a step back as he bowed quickly.

Gohan let out a heavy sigh and held his head up high. "Our Kingdom is peaceful and thriving. Your lands are abundant with minerals and fruits, as are all the other lands, and my sister is happy. Her happiness is my top priority. I will not force her to court anyone she does not wish to. It's her choice; it always will be her choice."

Pan blinked her eyes as she let out a small breath. She watched as Lord Koba's nostrils flared in aggravation before he bowed again and left. Gohan let out a heavy sigh once Lord Koba was gone, and Pan rushed out of her hiding spot and to the stairs.

"Han!" She heard him gasp in surprise as she hugged him tightly.

"You heard that, didn't you?" Gohan asked as Pan let go of him.

"Part of it," Pan admitted with a small nod.

Gohan let out a small sigh. "You should have heard him when he first got here. He wanted to fight Trunks for your hand."

Pan's eyes widened. Her lips were quivering as she tried not to laugh. "Are you serious?" She muttered.

"Yeah," Gohan frowned. "But I've seen Trunks fight, you know. I knew he could demolish Lord Koba. I had to say I was against that, even though I have to admit it's tempting to just say yes."

Pan giggled at the thought. "Do you like Trunks, Han?"

"Yeah," he nodded with a smile. "He seems like a great guy, and he makes you happy. You seem to like him."

Pan's chest felt warm as she smiled. Whether Gohan liked Trunks or not wouldn't have changed Pan's feelings, but she was still glad to know that her brother liked her boyfriend. He was right too. Pan did like Trunks. She liked him so much that she knew her feeling for him were much more than a simple like.

"Come on, let's go get some ice-cream," Gohan held out his arm to her.

Pan smiled and took it. "Did you mean what you said about it being my choice?"

"Of course," Gohan nodded with a smile.

Pan wondered if he would still think that if he ever found out that Trunks was a Saiyan. It made her queasy to think that her happy world could get turned upside down so quickly. She shook her head and pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind. She would worry about it when the time came. For now, she was going to enjoy her happiness.