The Brother of Bulma Briefs

by Cranberryfriend

With Goku trapped in space, a new threat comes to pass. When Krillin is mistaken as Bulma's younger brother, he winds up the target of an unknown enemy. He finds himself beaten and forced to take refuge at Capsule Corps. With his life at stake, Bulma bribes Vegeta to train him, and Krillin's in for a lifetime of death glares, monopoly games, and Bulma's unraveling love life.

The Brother Of Bulma Briefs

Chapter One: I'm here for the railroads

"Vegeta, I need groceries."

The Saiyan scoffed, already fleeing to one of the training rooms. Bulma wasn't too far behind, blue afro bouncing and boots clicking against the floor. "I mean it, Vegeta. I need to refill that guest kitchen."

Vegeta took an aggressive swig from his water bottle. "Tch. Don't you have servants for crap like that?"

"If you're going to stay in my house, you're going to need to play your part whether we have servants or not, understand? I won't have you sitting around like a freeloader."

"I train." Vegeta hissed. "So leave me alone."

He tore into the training room, Bulma charging in after him. "You'd better be listening to me!"

"Shut up and let me train, woman!"

"How dare you! I-"

"Bulma? Yo, I'm here!"

Krillin?

Bulma smiled a little, her anger returning the minute Vegeta snorted and started to train as if she wasn't even there. "You'll do it tomorrow then!" She snarled. "You got that?"

Vegeta ignored her, but she waved her fist regardless. She heard chattering between Krillin and Yamcha, so she followed their voices until she found them in one of the living rooms. "Ah, there you boys are. Hey, Krillin! Glad you made it!"

Krillin was wearing one of his oversized jackets, a cap on his head. "Hey! Thanks for inviting me over." He smiled. "Anybody else coming?"

Bulma groaned. "You were the only one that RSVP'd for game night, so I'm not sure. It may just be us three."

"No one else wanted to come?"

"It doesn't matter." Bulma grinned. "Us three can still make a night of it. Krillin, did you bring anything?"

"Uh…"

"I thought not. I'll get the snacks and the games."

"Hey, wait," Krillin stopped her, "How-how is…"

"Vegeta?" Bulma scoffed. "Oh, he's fine, if you call being a pain in my ass fine. All he ever wants to do is train and complain!"

"Yeah, that sounds about right."

"He doesn't even thank me!"

"You two need to forget about that stickler." Yamcha huffed. "We're here to party, right? Go on and get the snacks, Bulma, I can clean off the coffee table."

"You're right." Bulma smirked. "Who cares about what an ungrateful Prince says anyway?"

Before long they were munching on chips and chugging down beers. Well, the only one chugging them was Bulma, but she'd never admit to it. Hours into a game of Monopoly definitely warranted it though, because somehow Yamcha was winning, and it was annoying.

He was the only one barely affected by the drinks too, so any fits and tempers were in his memory forever. Tipsy Bulma got louder and Krillin was struggling to stay awake. The Monk slurred as he read his card. "Go to jail and lose a turn? Not again…"

"You're mad?" Bulma hissed. "Yamcha has one whole side of the board with hotels and I'm about to cross it! I should have gotten to go to jail! You got to go last time!"

"You want this card?"

"Really?"

"Just gimme land, and you can have it."

Bulma crushed her empty beer can with her hand. "Go die."

"Dying is getting a little old for me."

"I don't care! Go die!"

Krilling took a sip of his drink. "Mhm. Sure."

"Quit mocking me! You only have one hotel, you cocky little bald man!"

"Geesh, Bulma, you're making my ears ring."

She opened another can and took a large swig. "Maybe I wouldn't be so cranky if I wasn't losing! I only have one piece of land so far!"

Krillin sighed. "You had more, but you gave them to Yamcha because you couldn't pay him the last time."

"Did I? Ugh. How stupid of me."

Yamcha chuckled. "Should we call it a night?"

"No way!" Bulma screamed. "I might land on a vacant railroad! I won't miss my chance to dethrone you!"

"You won't dethrone me." He smirked. "I've always been good at board games."

Bulma scoffed. "Think I can't take your castle? I'll beat you."

"What's going on in here?" A raspy voice growled.

Yamcha stiffened at the sight of Vegeta. "Oh. H-hi there."

He wore a pair of shorts and a capsule oprs t-shirt, aggravation apparent on his face. "What's with all this damn yelling? Can't a Saiyan Prince get any sleep?"

"Sleep?"

Yamcha checked the time. "Oh wow. It's almost 4 in the morning. Bulma, maybe we should put the game on pause?"

"On Pause?"

"Yeah," He grinned, "Unless you want to declare me the winner. What do you say, Krillin? Should we stop or-"

Krillin's head was resting in his arms, his breath rustling the monopoly money beside him.

"Awwwwww, man." Bulma frowned. "He fell asleep. Vegeta, come take his place."

"Me?" Vegeta huffed. "Play a game with lowly peasants? Go die. And if I have to come back in here for your foolish behavior, I'll blast a hole in the wall. Got it?"

"You won't punch these walls if I can help it!" Bulma snarled.

"Watch me!"

"How dare you threaten my house!"

"Shut up and let me sleep!"

Vegeta stormed off, Yamcha yanking a new drink out of Bulma's hand. "Let's leave the board out and finish it later."

"But my railroad-"

"Bulma, you weren't going to get it."

"Who says?!"

"I do." Yamcha sighed. "I already own the railroads."

Bulma stared angrily. "Fine. We'll finish tomorrow. Or-or in the morning. Whatever the correct term is. But don't let your guard down, because I'll be coming to take your land. All of it."

"In your dreams."

Bulma squinted and stood with a yawn. "Well, I am getting sleepy, so I guess we can take a break. Oh…Krillin though. I don't know if he wanted to stay over or not. I don't want to force him to."

Yamcha paled. "Well he's he's definitely not leaving like that. He's such a lightweight…"

"I'm sure he won't protest staying over then. After all, we have to finish our game."

"Yeah, that's true. I'll help him to one of the guest rooms then." Yamcha shook his friend's shoulder. "Hey, Krillin. Wake up. I'm going to walk with you."

Krillin swatted him away.

"Come on, man. Are you still asleep? Get up."

Bulma chuckled. "Have fun dragging his sorry butt to bed. I'm going to sleep." She wobbled, but she walked steadily enough that Yamcha trusted she'd be fine on her own. He shook Krillin again, but it only ended with another swat in the face.

Whatever. This wasn't getting anywhere. He'd just have to carry him. Krillin flinched, but it didn't take any effort to scoop him into his arms. At this point he was dead weight.

Wait-those probably weren't the best choice of words.

Basically, he was passed out drunk.

Yamcha rolled his eyes and carried his smaller friend to one of the guest rooms, finally laying him down in one of the beds. He set Krillin's cap on the nightstand, getting to work as he took off Krillin's shoes.

"Yamcha?" Krillin asked, half-asleep.

"Hey, man. Just helping you out. You got plastered, so Bulma said to let you sleep over."

"Sleep…over? Nah…nah, I can go home…no big deal…"

He tried to sit up, but one tap from Yamcha plopped him back down. "Krillin, you're in no shape to fly home. Bulma wouldn't hear it if I told her I let you leave like this."

"Oh my gosh," The monk panicked, "Where'd my shoes go?"

"I took them off for you." Yamcha laughed. "J-just go back to sleep before I crack a rib."

"You…cracked a rib?" Krillin yawned. "Better…get that checked out."

"Man, you're really losing it, aren't you?"

Krillin was passed out again, and Yamcha smiled lightly as he draped a blanket over his sleeping friend. "Man, you really messed yourself up. Sleep tight, buddy."

Yamcha left the room, yawning himself. If anything, he was tipsy, but for the most part he only felt tired. He thought he heard Vegeta's voice down the hall…and Bulma's?

Nah.

No way those two were chatting this late.

Yamcha let out another yawn, then headed to bed.

()()()

Krillin yawned, rubbing his eyes as he woke up in an unfamiliar bed.

That was odd.

Oh.

That's right.

He was at Capsule Corps.

He remembered hanging out with Bulma and Yamcha, playing monopoly, but he couldn't think of what happened after that.

Wasn't Bulma angry?

He was still in his jacket and regular clothes, but his cap was on the nightstand, and his shoes were set nicely on the floor. Yamcha must have carried him to one of the rooms. A sharp pain shot through his skill, and his stomach twisted from nausea.

Oh yeah, he was hungover.

Great.

At least his friends didn't leave him outside to die.

He crawled out of bed with a wince, padding across the floor in his socks, wincing from the sunlight that cast onto the bed. He exited his room, rubbing his tired and probably bloodshot eyes.

"Vegeta, you'd better be dressed for breakfast!" He heard Bulma yell. "Because I didn't lay out those clothes for you to lay around and complain!" He was surprised to see the bluenette exit Vegeta's room, a scowl on her face and the same clothes from last night.

Oh.

The same clothes.

At least, were they?

Maybe they weren't.

His head hurt too much when he tried to remember what she wore. BUt surely Bulma wouldn't…be interested in Vegeta?

Nah.

No way.

They'd kill each other.

Bulma saw him staring. "Oh, Krillin. You're awake. How do you feel?"

It took him a minute to register what she said, and he chuckled sleepily. "Oh. Right. Me. I-I'm doing okay. Just terribly hungover."

"Ha! I bet. There's coffee and pancakes in the kitchen."

Krillin squinted. "Kitchen…"

She let out another laugh. "Why don't you follow me? You don't seem to be thinking straight."

"Heh. Yeah, that's probably for the best. Let me…grab my shoes? Actually never mind, who cares. Lead the way."

He followed her to one of the kitchens, Yamcha already digging in. "Dang, Krilin. You look awful."

"Hi to you too."

He climbed onto a stool next to Yamcha, Bulma sliding him a cup of coffee. "It's extra strong. It should help with that headache."

"Thanks, Bulma."

"Want some food?"

Krillin eyed Yamcha's pile of pancakes and his stomach turned. "Maybe later."

"Fair enough."

Bulma chugged down a cup of coffee and snatched bacon off Yamcha's plate. "I'm going to change, then you two are coming shopping with me. We can finish the game after the errands."

"Errands?" Yamcha groaned. "Don't you normally not do those?"

"I'm feeling productive." Bulma snapped. "So you two be ready to go in the next hour, okay? We have a long day planned. Krillin, I'm going to give you a different shirt to wear. I'm not going out in public with a beer stained idiot.

Stained?

He glanced down at his white shirt and sure enough, there was a big brown blotch right on his chest. She stormed off in a determined huff, Yamcha looking to Krillin with an annoyed sigh. "It looks like she's going to rough us up a bit, huh?"

Krillin sipped his coffee with a grimace, his stomach still yelling at him for the beer. "Yeah, it seems so. I only hope she doesn't give me something weird to wear."

"Yeah, like a flowery one. You'll look like a tourist."

Krillin snatched a piece of bacon. "Just for that, I'm taking some of your food."

"You sure you don't want anything else?"

Krillin finished off the piece of bacon with a shiver. "Believe me, I'd probably throw up."

The two froze into silence when Vegeta appeared. He wore a green button up shirt and slacks, the usual scowl on his face. "Where's that woman? She told me to come in here."

Yamcha snorted. "She went to get ready, but there's breakfast here if you want some."

Vegeta grunted, snatching a full plate that Bulma must have already prepared for him. He sat with them, but a few seats away so he wouldn't have to look at them. The only sound heard was him crunching on his bacon.

"So, Vegeta," Krillin asked, "Are you going into town with us?"

"Tch. That woman is making me, so I guess." He continued to eat his food, not once looking in their direction. Krillin felt sick just watching him. He didn't eat as fast as Goku had in the past, but he definitely ate a lot. There were about nine pancakes and twelve pieces of bacon on his plate, and Vegeta was already a third of the way done.

Yamcha scarfed down a pancake as if it was a competition, grabbing Vegeta's attention as the Saiyan scarfed down another.

Oh no.

They were making it a competition.

Yamcha grabbed another handful of pancakes, and Vegeta did the same. "You sure are hungry," Yamcha squinted.

"A Saiyan Prince requires much nutrition. Any fool would know that." He bit into four pancakes at once, Yamcha struggling to bite into five.

Krillin rubbed his temples. "Please don't eat like that…you guys are making me sick."

"Grow a spine then." Vegeta huffed between bites.

Yamcha scarfed down another pancake, followed by Vegeta, and Krillin sighed into his palms. Bulma came rushing out, a comb stuck in her hair and her lipstick halfway done. She tossed a shirt into Krillin's face. "Change into that. It's clean."

Krillin peeled it off his face, eyes wide. "Bulma, I don't want a pink one!"

"Too bad! It's what's clean!"

Vegeta looked angry. "Hey, that's my shirt!"

"Your shirt? Ha! You hated that shirt! So now you can watch someone else wear it, jerk!"

Krillin grimaced. "Ew. I don't want Vegeta's shirt."

"It isn't his!" Bulma yelled. "It apparently never was! So put it on before I put it on for you!"

"Bulma, you wouldn't-"

She grabbed his collar and he swatted her off. "Okay! I'll do it! Hands off!"

Bulma smirked. "That's what I thought you big baby. In fact, you're all big babies. You're just a bunch of big babies that eat like nasty children!"

She eyed Yamcha, pancakes in his mouth and syrup on his chin.

She stormed off, leaving them to their awkward breakfast. Krillin sighed. "I guess I have to wear this."

"Don't get attached to it." Vegeta snarled. "I don't care what she says. It sickens me you'll be in it."

"What? You like it or something?"

Vegeta scoffed. "Of course not. I just don't like peasants wearing my things."

"It isn't yours!" Bulma screamed from another room.

Vegeta let out a "Shut up!" Then went back to his pancakes, which prompted Yamcha to eat more.

Yeah, this was going to be a long day.

()()()

Bulma was wearing a mini skirt and a tank top, her afro fixed, and the color red on her lips. Yamcha threw on a jean jacket, Vegeta was still in that green shirt, and Krillin wore his same cap and over-sized jacket…along with the pink shirt from Bulma. They were all shoved into a Capsule Corps car, Bulma driving and Yamcha in the passenger's seat.

That left Vegeta and Krillin in the back.

And Vegeta didn't look happy about it.

At all.

"It's cramped back here." The Saiyan whined. "And I don't want to go anywhere. I want to train."

"Be quiet." Bulma snapped. "All you do is complain."

"So do you, woman."

"Don't make me turn this car around!"

"You haven't even left! But please do!"

That's how it was the whole drive to the supermarket. Vegeta would complain, and Bulma would yell right back at him while Krillin and Yamcha begged for solace.

They didn't get it.

The two yelled until Bulma parked near the supermarket's entrance. "Everyone, get out."

They piled out, except for Bulma.

Yamcha and Vegeta headed for the door.

"Bulma?" Krillin asked. "Aren't you coming?"

"Of course not. I have other errands too, so splitting up will save us some time." She shoved a crumpled piece of paper and a credit card into Krillin's hand, then grabbed his collar. "Get everything on that list, and don't you dare let Vegeta kill Yamcha. Because I know he'll try. Understand?"

"But-"

"Quit slouching!"

She pushed him back, and he stood up straight, Bulma wagging a finger like a disappointed mother. "I'm putting you in charge, Krillin. I have to go run some other errands myself, so I'm putting you in charge of the groceries. You got that? You. Only you. Don't let Yamcha and Vegeta pick a fight in the store, don't let Yamcha die, and don't screw me over."

"Geesh, okay. I have to go through all this just to finish a game of monopoly?"

Bulma scowled, and he flinched. "I mean. It-it will be my pleasure."

"That's what I thought you said. And for Pete's sake, Krillin, how'd you manage to get syrup on your face?"

"My face? But I didn't eat any-"

"Wipe it off! You look like a messy child!"

Krillin wiped his face with his sleeve, Bulma still bearing into his soul. "Get my groceries, keep them in check, and get ready to have your ass handed to you at monopoly!"

She drove off angrily, Krillin nearly dropping the list of items with how fast she rushed off. He noticed stares from strangers, completely embarrassed. Man, they probably thought he was being yelled at by an older sister.

Great.

He entered the store with his head low, thankful that Yamcha and Vegeta were still by the door. Other then the death glares, the two were behaving. Even better, the store wasn't busy.

"Arlight," Krillin said to them. "Bulma put me in charge. She gave us a list of things to buy."

"B-buy?" Yamcha stuttered. "I don't have money."

"No wonder she screamed at you." Vegeta scoffed. "You didn't have any money."

Krillin un-crumpled the shopping list. "She gave me money for this, so can you two like…behave? So we can be done?"

"Tch."

Krillin took out the list. "First we need milk, eggs, and cheese. That should all be in the refrigerated section. Let's go."

He started off, but Vegeta and Yamcha didn't budge. They were still staring each other down, so Krillin yanked Yamcha's sleeve. "Yamcha, did you hear me?"

"Huh? Oh. Right. Sorry."

Krillin rolled his eyes, the two idiots following him across the store. Until Krillin's body tensed, and he suddenly turned to look behind them.

"Hey, is something wrong?" Yamcha asked.

"You-you didn't sense anything? Anyone?"

"Should I have?"

Maybe it was nothing.

Maybe his hungover brain was being paranoid.

Krillin stared through the crowd of customers, Vegeta frowning in disinterest as Yamcha raised a brow.

"Never mind," Krillin sighed. "Let's get the milk."

They finally made it to the refrigerated section, Yamcha and Vegeta both grabbing the same carton of milk.

Oh no.

Vegeta yanked it. "Let go, idiot."

Yamcha yanked it back. "You let go."

It turned into a tug of war, Vegeta obviously holding back as the two grappled aggressively over the carton. Krillin figured it was because Vegeta didn't think Yamcha was worthy of his strength, but no matter the reason, the fight was stupid and annoying. Vegeta's ki got stronger, and Yamcha was in a choke-hold.

"Hey." Krillin snapped. "Hey, Vegeta. Let him go. People are staring."

The milk carton rolled across the floor, the Saiyan Prince tossing Yamcha several feet away. A woman barely escaped their path, and Krillin watched in horror as Yamcha-like the pigheaded fool he was-charged at Vegeta.

The fool charged at Vegeta.

A Saiyan.

He charged at a Saiyan, and before he could think Krillin found himself blocking the attack. Or he tried to, but he was still so hungover that instead of blocking, Yamcha's punch hit his face. If it weren't for Vegeta being in the way, he probably would have flown through a wall.

"You idiot!" Vegeta yelled at the martial artist. "He's the one with the list! If you send him flying, we won't know what that woman wants and we'll never get to leave!"

"I'm the idiot? You struck me first!"

"I'll kill you for trying to challenge me!"

"Right back at ya!"

"You pathetic human!" Vegeta snarled. "I'm going to kick your ass!"

Their ki rose as if they were about to brawl.

Oh no.

Vegeta would kill Yamcha if he didn't stop this. He could sense that Vegeta was barley trying, but regardless, Yamcha would wind up in pieces.

Krillin managed to get back on his feet, blood trickling from his lip. But he didn't have to try to intervene again, because Yamcha's attention was on him now. "Oh wow, you're bleeding."

Vegeta turned to look at him too. "That's what you get for interfering, baldy. This time, stay put so I can rip this idiot's head off."

Krillin clenched his fists. "You two…are going to battle..in a grocery store?!"

Heads turned in their direction, one woman looking anxious enough to call the cops.

"We aren't going to battle." Vegeta scoffed. "It will be a murder. By me."

"Oh, for the love of Kami! You two are acting like thugs!" Krillin ripped the grocery list in half and shoved the other half into Yamcha's palm. "You and Vegeta can find half the items yourselves! We'll meet up at the entrance!"

"Wait, Krillin-"

"She told me to keep you from doing something stupid, but after that performance, you two can watch yourselves!"

"But-"

"Don't follow me, Yamcha! Just grab some damn milk that isn't expired!" He stalked off, ignoring more stares of fellow customers as he headed off to look for cereal. He wiped the blood off his face, hands shaking angrily as he grabbed box after box, trying to find the cereal that Bulma wanted. Nobody else was in the aisle, and soon enough his adrenaline dissipated.

Man.

Those two thought everything was a competition.

He praised the skies that Vegeta didn't blast Yamcha to smitherings, thankful the Saiyan didn't care enough about his opponent to try. Even when he powered up to fight Yamcha, it was still barely anything, because Vegeta didn't think Yamcha was shit.

Whatever.

They could spar to their hearts contents now. He just hoped he didn't have to drag Yamcha to a hospital after this was all over. He finally found the box of cereal he was looking for, when his body tensed.

That presence.

The same one as before.

He whipped around, a large and muscular man standing a bit too close behind him. Krillin gripped the box of cereal. "Can I-help you?"

The man grinned. "Yeah, actually kid, you can."

The guy grabbed his arm, Krillin only caught due to surprise. "Hey, what gives? You want the cereal that badly? Just ask for it."

"Shut up."

"Look man, who exactly-"

The man slapped a hand over his mouth, and within seconds, Krillin flipped and slammed his attacker to the floor. He didn't throw him hard enough to kill him, but it was obvious he had broken the man's arm.

"You…you little…brat…I'll..."

Krillin threw the cereal box at the guy's head and took off running. His body tensed again as he ran, more energies in the aisles closing in on him. Still confused from the previous night of alchohol, he slammed into another person, this one grabbing his shoulders. "Come quietly or-"

Krillin kicked him so hard he went flying, and he continued to run. Not that he needed to, but why stick around? He stopped to catch his breath, senses heightened and tired. Man, he really shouldn't have skipped breakfast.

"Weren't you avoiding us?" Vegeta's voice spat.

He stared in awe as Vegeta glanced at a can of green beans. "You humans have canned foods? Tch. Stupid."

"V-Vegeta?"

"What now? You gonna throw another fit?"

"Wh-where's Yamcha?"

"Who cares."

"Please?"

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "He said he'd get all the stuff himself, so I've been wandering around. I thought about flying off, but I only stayed so that blasted woman wouldn't whine at me."

Krillin nodded, still panting.

"Why are you breathing like that? Did you fight somebody or something?"

"Actually…yeah…"

Vegeta looked surprised. "What idiot tried to fight in a grocery store?"

"You! You tried to do it earlier! To Yamcha!"

"Forget about me. Who's in this damn store? That Namekian?"

"No." Krillin snapped. "Why would Piccolo try to kidnap me?"

"Who said anything about kidnapping? I thought you were in a fight."

"Not a hard fight, just a scary and confusing one. I broke one guy's arm, then sent another flying."

Vegeta squinted. "Wait a second, there are people here…chasing you?"

"Gosh, it sure seems like it."

"The ones we sensed?"

"Yeah the-hey! You never said you sensed them too!"

"Tch. Why should I? I don't have to tell you anything."

"Vegeta!"

"Fine." The Saiyan growled. "If it helps, I sensed more outside."

"Out-outside?"

"Are you deaf? Yes. Outside."

"Damn."

Vegeta stared at a can of corn, reading the back. "Tch. Lucky. I wish I was being hunted. But I'm stuck here reading about your filthy food."

Krillin wiped sweat off his brow. "Lucky? Vegeta, I don't want to get stalked. I don't even know what they want with me."

"I don't know. Maybe the secret to baldness?"

"Ha ha." Krillin scowled. "Very funny."

"Who cares? Just follow me around if you're that much of a wimp. I mean, I won't help you if they show up, but I could use a good laugh over it."

Krillin crossed his arms. "Gee, thanks."

"There's another one approaching, so maybe you can break another arm."

"A-another?"

Sure enough, he sensed another presence, not sure why he didn't until they were so close. He saw a new man show up on the other end of the aisle, obviously pretending to look at things.

"That one of them?" Vegeta pointed with a whisper.

"What? I don't know? I haven't seen that one before."

"Tch. That's no help them. Go talk to him and see if he tries to grab you."

Krillin frowned. "It isn't funny."

Vegeta grabbed another can. "It's kind of funny. You're barely worth a piece of lint, so thinking of someone hunting you down is pretty laughable."

Krillin stomped his foot. "It isn't!"

Vegeta squinted. "If I leave…you think he'll quit being a coward and try to snatch ya?"

"Don't you dare."

"Don't tell me you're scared of a weakling like that."

"Well, no, but it's confusing and-"

Vegeta shoved a can of pineapples into his hand. "Act like you're reading that."

"Wait, Vegeta-"

The Saiyan disappeared, and Krillin glanced at the sketchy man nearby. He gripped the can of pineapples with a sigh.

Might as well give it a try.

This time, he'd get answers.

He did his best to make it look like he wasn't paying attention, and sure enough, the man took the bait. He got closer, and the minute a hand reached for him, Krillin smashed the can against the man's kneecap. Pineapples flew, and the man collapsed in agony. Krillin jumped when Vegeta snuck up behind him. "Could have done better."

"Could have done better?"

"You heard me."

Krillin rolled his eyes, flinching when Vegeta kicked the man onto his back. "Hey. You. Why do you give a rat's ass about this little shit?"

The man gripped his knee, blood pooling on the floor as he spoke through gritted teeth. "L-like I'd tell you."

Vegeta held out his palm. "Guess you can die then."

"Vegeta!" Krillin screamed. "You can't just murder someone in a store!"

"You're right. Let's drag him outside. Then kill him."

"No! We're not killing him! Ev-er!"

Krillin stumbled as the man grabbed his ankle.

"Y-you're coming with me."

Krillin kicked him off. "Yeah, buddy, I don't think so."

"Fine, kid," The man grinned weakly. "It doesn't have to be me…"

He yelped, Vegeta kicking him in the ribs. "Who's your boss? Who even remotely cares about this twerp? If you want a real target, I'm your man. You got it? Me, the Prince of all Saiyans! Tell me who hired you so I can show them a real warrior!"

The man cackled as he coughed blood, which didn't set well with the Saiyan. Vegeta kicked him again-actually, he kept kicking him-and Krillin sighed because at this point Vegeta was throwing another one of his princely tantrums.

Nice.

Vegeta cursed, the Monk staring down at his unconscious attacker. "Oh my gosh, you knocked him out."

"That's what he gets for being pathetic."

Then Vegeta felt another presence, and even though he couldn't care less, he pulled Krillin out of the line of fire-because honestly, the last thing he needed was another screaming match from that woman, and if her friend died, he'd never hear the end of it.

A knife struck a can of beans, the food spilling over into the aisle. A taller woman with pink hair emerged from behind the shelves, red lips frowning as she eyed her work. "Aww, poo. I missed."

"Listen good, lady," Vegeta snarled. "You should find a new target because this idiot isn't worth anyone's time."

"Am I supposed to thank you?" Krillin hissed.

"I could have let her stab you."

"I could have dodged it!"

"Well you didn't, did you?!"

"Boys, boys," The woman sneered, "I'd love to watch you kids bicker but I'm on a tight schedule so if you could just hand over the little darling, I'll take him home with me. Okay?"

Vegeta shrugged. "Fine. Take him. What do I care?"

He shoved him forward, Krillin stumbling into the puddle of spilled pineapples. "Vegeta! You asshole!"

"Just fight her? I'm not wasting my energy on a bitch like that."

"Can't you sense her energy? She's a lot stronger than the other-"

Vegeta waved a can of beans. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you. I'm catching up on my reading. Shoo. I only fight worthy opponents."

"You fought with Yamcha."

"Tch. Hardly."

Krillin clenched his fists, yelping as he dodged the woman's kick. He leapt into the air, landing on top of the aisle to jump onto another. She followed him with ease, her power level rising as she hopped after him.

Dang it.

Who was she?

And why was her power level so high?

Krillin landed in the toilet paper section, tossing a pack of rolls that knocked her to the floor. He took off running, but an elbow to his back had him pinned to the floor. Hair tickled his face, and he shivered from the breath that blew against his neck.

She cooed. "Didn't think I'd be such a threat, did you?"

Her hand reached into his shirt, and while she was distracted he kicked her off with a reddened face. She came back faster, the two of them wrestling and rolling across the aisles. An elderly couple shuffled away, Krillin's vision blurred as she rammed his head against a shelf. She shoved her knee into his stomach, struggling to pin down his flailing arms.

"G-give up, Briefs. I've-I've got you pinned."

Krillin froze. "What…did you just-"

His arms stung, and in a fleeting motion he kicked the woman in the jaw, her body flying into the canned soups. Krillin scrambled to his feet, a wave of dizziness sinking him to his knees.

Shit.

He yanked a needle out of his arm, a green-colored drop of liquid running down it's side. The pink-haired woman slithered back, her long-nailed fingers gripping him by the collar. "Getting sleepy?"

He swung a fist, vision so darkened and blurred that he missed. She was about to lift him when another kick sent her flying, a blurry Vegeta pulling him to his feet. "You're pathetic, you know that? To think I'm over here helping you."

Krillin gripped his sleeve. "Wait-wait, Vegeta, she's-"

"Strong? Maybe to you."

The woman charged again, Vegeta grabbing a fistful of hair and slamming her into a shelf. Her unconscious body dropped to the floor.

He gave her a light kick. "You find out why she wanted you?

Did he?

That's right…

For some reason she-she called him "Briefs."

But before he could mention it, his knees buckles, and Vegeta watched as the monk passed out right in front of him.

Yamcha slid into the aisle, panting as he carried three loaves of bread. "Oh no. Did you guys finish them off already? I-I found the bread?"

The store's speaker went off, and a woman's voice sighed. "Clean up on Aisle 3."

()()()

Bulma paced around the kitchen, Yamcha unloading groceries under her scrutinizing gaze. "Did-did you think of something, Bulma?"

She shrugged. "Honestly, Yamcha, I can't think of a single person that would be after Krillin. I mean-well he's…"

"Krillin?"

"Yeah."

"Did Vegeta tell you anything?"

Bulma put her hand on her hips. "He said it was none of my business what he saw, then he ran off to train. That asshole."

"But-but he saved Krillin's life, didn't he? Why won't he tell you anything else?"

"Because he's a no good jerk that only saved him out of pure boredom, that's why."

"We need to call Master Roshi."

"I don't want to worry him."

"Bulma!"

"I absolutely refuse. Despite his nasty life habits I'm in no way telling him about this. Not-not yet, anyway. I won't call him until I hear Krillin's side of the story."

Yamcha shoved milk cartons in the fridge. "I guess…but you at least…tested Krillin's blood right?"

"Oh I sure did. Krillin getting sedated was the one and only thing I could get Vegeta to fess up about."

"And?"

Bulma shook her head. "They used really strong drugs on him, Yamcha; as if they knew he was tough. That kind of tranquilizer would kill a normal human."

"That bad?"

"That bad…"

Yamcha finished filling the fridge. "Bulma…after the police took those crooks away, were you able to find out anything about them?"

She shrugged. "They were hired to capture Krillin for some reason. But the minute he wakes up I can ask him what happened."

A beep chimed from Bulma's watch, and she beamed. "Which is now! He's waking up! Let's go!"

Bulma fled the kitchen, Yamcha at her heels.