Disclaimer: I do own the rights, the rights to write what my warped brain thinks up!
Warning: Language
For the Love of a Guardian
1
They were all hanging around Kami's Place, taking turns in the hyperbolic time chamber, getting some extra training in just for fun. Goku and Vegeta had just stepped out, quickly donning new outfits and watching as Mr. Popo brought out a ton of food, when someone appeared. Two someone's.
"-and another thing, you can't get up off your ass to do anything productive around here!? You are so damn lazy it makes me sick! Why the hell should I have to do everything around the house!? Why do I have to take care of all the bills!? You might as well be the girl, 'cuz I wear the pants in this house!
The lady was yelling at a man in front of her. He had his jaw clenched, hands balled into fists like he was fixing to hit the woman. They didn't notice the fighters.
"Why don't you just shut the fuck up! I'm so damn sick of this, of you!"
The lady crossed her arms.
"Well, then why don't you leave!? Like I've been telling you to do for the past two years!?"she practically screamed. She looked away from them, towards the edge of Kami's lookout. "Why don't you start walking! That way!" she pointed towards the edge, "and don't stop until you fall off!"
There were muffled snickers behind them.
They finally looked towards the group. The woman just looked pissed, ready to blow. The man kind of went white.
"Where the hell are we!?" he shouted, looking back to the woman in front of him. "What did you do!?"
"Me!? Why you self-righteous son of a-"
"Hey! That's enough!" Goku finally spoke up, apparently over his shock. The others stared open mouthed as the woman glared at Goku.
"Stay out of it, Goku!" she turned back to the man.
"How did you...?"
Everyone appeared stumped, and the woman didn't look like she was going to answer any of their questions any time soon. She pushed the man away from her.
"Go! James." She turned away from him. "Leave!"
The man still looked white, but curled his lip at the woman. He took a step towards her, raising his arm. She didn't see him come at her, walking away towards the people staring at them. She happened to look back just as he swung. His fist clipped her chin, knocking her down with a thud. The man was lifted in the air a moment later, a very strong fist curled around his collar. Goku glared at him.
"You don't hit women! What kind of man does that say you are!" He shook the man a little, watching James eyes widen in fear.
They all looked at the woman, thinking that she was crying. Her shoulder's were shaking, but when she looked up, her face was dry, her eyes blazing. She slowly got up, rubbing her jaw, glaring at the man who hit her.
"That's the last time," she said softly, before turning and walking away.
Everyone was quiet, then Goku looked back up at the man she called James. He studied him.
"You've hit her before?" he said in a deadly soft voice. James quickly shook his head.
Goku dropped him, letting out a sound of disgust at the pitiful excuse for a man in front of him.
"Gohan," he said quietly. His son walked up to his side, looking down at the man with an almost identical expression as his father.
"Take him to the city, away from here. Away from the lady," Goku stated, turning and not looking back.
"Okay Dad." Gohan quickly grabbed the man by the back of his shirt, flying off while the man screamed in terror.
"Do you know where the woman went?" Goku asked, his eyes roaming the expanse floor. Almost everyone shook their head, but he saw Vegeta gesture with his chin, towards the back of the property. Goku headed that way, not saying a word. The rest of them looked at each other.
"What the hell just happened?"
Goku found her sitting on the steps leading to the tower, gazing out at the sky. Her dark brown hair flowed behind her, lifting a little when the breeze blew. She clenched her blue shirt in front of her for a moment, then rubbed her palms on her jeans. He saw her rub her jaw again as he walked up. His teeth clenched.
"Are you alright?" Goku asked softly, sitting beside her, studying the woman that had just appeared out of nowhere.
"I'm fine Goku, thanks. Just the same song and dance," she stated, frowning and lowering her eyes to the floor.
"That's another thing! How do you know who I am?"
He noticed her smile a little, tapping her fingers on her leg.
"I just do, okay? Can we leave it at that for now?"
"Okay," he said slowly. "Um...do you know everyone else?"
He watched her nod.
"How...?"
"Why don't I tell you later, when I'm not so tired and pissed," she finally looked up at him, her green eyes wide and a little frightened, "okay?"
He studied her for a moment. "Since you know my name, can you at least tell me yours?" he asked softly.
She looked back towards the sky, her eyes narrowing for a moment. He saw her hesitate a little. "My name is...Trista."
They all looked up when Goku and the woman came walking around the side of the building, both their arms crossed. Goku was studying the floor, and the strange woman was studying them. They stared right back. They all waited until her and Goku stopped in front of the group.
"So...how did you get here?" Yamcha asked, a curious expression on his face.
They all watched her shrug.
"What's your name?" Vegeta demanded.
The woman studied him for a moment, before her gaze slid away.
"My name's Trista," she said softly.
No one said anything else.
"Listen," Goku said, finally looking up, "I assume you don't have anywhere to stay since you just got here, right?"
They all watched her shake her head.
"You can stay at Mt. Paozu, if you want. Until you find a way back home."
She looked embarrassed, her gaze on the floor.
"I'm not going to intrude on you and Chi-Chi."
Everyone stared open-mouthed at her.
"How do you know my mom!?" Gohan asked, his eyes wide.
"Look, I don't really feel like going into such a long discussion right now Gohan, so would you be so kind as to take me to the city or whatever. Maybe I can find somewhere to go from there."
Vegeta's eyes narrowed, studying the woman intently. "You're not leaving from here until you give us some answers!"
She scowled a little, and they heard her mutter "Arrogant Ass" before sighing deeply.
"Fine!" she said loudly, plopping down right where she stood, sitting Indian style with an impatient look on her face. The group studied her for a moment, before doing the same. Except Vegeta, who remained standing, frowning down at her.
"Okay," she paused, not looking at them, her gaze on the floor. "Well, it's like this..." she paused again, biting her lip, seeming not wanting to give an answer.
"Out with it already!"
"Shut up Yamcha!" she shot back, not looking up.
"Well," she began again. And hesitated, again. "You all are..."she finally looked up, studying each of them before continuing. "You all are cartoon characters where I come from. You don't exist. We watch you on a television whenever we want, and that's how I know who all of you are!" she rushed out, blushing and looking away from them.
Dead silence.
"That's preposterous!" Vegeta finally yelled.
"Look," she said, looking up and meeting everybody's gaze, "Don't believe me. I don't really care! I just want to sleep for about a week right now. I don't want to argue. That means you Vegeta! And I would like never to see that asshole James again! Got it!"
Silence.
"Good! Now Goku, would you be so kind as to fly me to the city. I really need to find a place and figure out how to get home."
Goku slowly nodded.
"Wait!"
They all looked over as Bulma jumped up. She slowly walked over to Trista. "You can stay with me!" She looked the girl up and down, then smiled. "I like you!"
"Um...okay I guess."
"Hey! How come you'll stay with Bulma and not us!?" Goku asked, pouting a little.
"Because you don't have the room, Goku!"
Bulma laughed. "She's right Goku. And how do you think Chi-Chi would feel you bringing home other women!?"
"She would be so pissed!" Trista said, shaking her head.
"Okay! Yeah, it's still a little weird that you know us and we don't know you so...I guess we should get going so we can figure out how to get you home," Bulma said, linking her arm through Trista's, grabbing Goku's shoulder.
"Oh," Trista said, as if suddenly remembering something, "I almost forgot." She turned back towards the fighters. "You all are practically worshiped where I'm at." She smiled, disappearing with Bulma and Goku.
They all looked at each other again.
"This is so weird!"