A/N: Thank you all for the reviews! Even if there were only three while the stats say the story has had 42 visitors so far… (sweatdrops). I'm sure it's not that bad, is it? I hope I haven't become rusty. XD

No one is making you of course, but if you have time to leave a review, don't hesitate to do so! Stats only go so far and I'd love to hear what people think about the story.

If you want to see a picture of Kameko and Oolong, go to my profile page and click the link in my bio. Why yes, I have had a lot of time on my hands! Why do you ask? XD

Chapter 2: A Deadly Mistake

Cell snarled, baring his fangs. He had lost control of the situation, and if there was one thing the android didn't like, it was losing control. His gaze rested on Kameko, who was nervously eyeing his tail. She knew him, that much was certain. But strangely, he didn't recall seeing her around; not in the past, nor the future.

Of course Cell had better things to do than keeping tabs on everything that could walk on two legs, but a human this strong, he surely would have remembered. Her powerlevel was far above that of the average human female. She was attempting to hide it, but when she kicked him in the chest, he had been given a glance at her full potential. Though he had no concrete data on the girl, he guessed her powerlevel to be roughly two thirds of Krillin's. Had he still been an egg, or even in his larval form, she would have posed a serious threat to his existence. Now all she posed… was a target.

As much as he would like to repay the girl for blabbing his secrets though, it would have to wait. He could sense Krillin and Trunks approaching, and Vegeta and Tien were not far behind. Kameko and the pig would pose little challenge to him, but when teamed up with Piccolo, could become quite bothersome. If the other Z-fighters joined in, his chances of survival, let alone victory, would quickly diminish. He needed to build his strength first, before taking them on.

Krillin and trunks touched down, staring in awe at the monster.

"What… what is that?" Trunks asked, not taking his eyes off the android.

"Oh man… what a creep!" the monk gulped. "Why am I sensing Goku's energy from that thing?"

"I'll explain everything once we've destroyed it," Piccolo said grimly. "Just be warned that he knows all of our attacks, so don't let your guard down. And stay clear of his tail!"

Behind him, the Namek heard Kameko whisper:

"Oolong, I'm not sure I can do this…"

"D-Don't panic," the shape shifter whispered back, nervously. "J-Just do it like you p-practiced. And r-remember to think h-happy thoughts."

"All I can think of right now are Senzu beans," the girl sweatdropped. "You attack him if it's so easy!"

"And what am I gonna do? Breathe on him?!" the pig squeaked, his eyes big as dinner plates. "You're the one who…"

"You must feel honored," Cell interrupted them. "Soon you will all be part of the perfect being. But as anxious as you are, you will just have to be patient. I have a date with a couple of friends and it would be rude of me to let them wait…. BUT HERE'S A PARTING GIFT!!"

With an insane, hysterical cackle, the android raised his hands in front of his face and yelled:

"SOLAR FLARE!"

Everyone screamed as a blinding flash of light overtook them, overloading their senses.

"Cell, you sneaky bastard!" Kameko shrieked, blindly shaking her fist in the air. "Don't you dare get away! I'm not through with you yet!"

"No, by all means leave!" Oolong quickly squeaked. "Really! We don't mind!"

"Oolong, you wuss! We're supposed to destroy him, remember?!"

"His egg! We're supposed to destroy his egg!" the frightened pig protested. "Did he look like an egg to you?!"

"Damn you, Cell!" Piccolo roared, still squinting his eyes.

"Oh man, I sure wish I had Master Roshi's sunglasses right about now," Krillin groaned.

Trunks flew up, looking left and right.

"I don't see him anywhere," he growled. "Dammit! He's gone!"

"He couldn't have gotten far!" Kameko said. "I'll show him who's…ACK!"

The girl tried to fly away, but was grabbed by her collar by a certain Namekian warrior.

"Who are you!?" he demanded. "You're not going anywhere until you tell us exactly what's going on!"

"I already told you!" Kameko protested, then batted her eyelashes while a lecherous grin spread from ear to ear. "But if you like to hear the sound of my voice…"

The Namek let her go and sweatdropped when he had the feeling that the perverted girl was undressing him with her eyes. Oh yeah… she was Roshi's kid alright.

"Oolong, take care of the time machine and the explaining for me, will ya? I've got to catch this guy fast, before he becomes too strong to handle."

"No, Kameko, you dolt! The timeline has changed and we don't have a clue what he's capable of now! You can't just blindly rush into battle without backup and hope for…" he sweatdropped when he noticed the girl had already blasted off and quickly disappeared out of view. "Oh man, why does she always do that…?"

Kameko slowed down, taking her time to look around. Okay, maybe it had been a bit rude to run off and leave Oolong behind to do all the explaining, but Cell had already been a lot stronger than she had expected. And with every innocent human he absorbed, her chances of defeating him would look more bleak.

A vision of the android appeared in her mind and Kameko bit her lip. Would the real Cell be anything like the simulations? Kameko spotted a deserted town below her, but hesitated to land. She was embarrassed to face him and could already feel blood rushing to her face. Then again, who wouldn't be after…

The girl shook her head, scolding herself. Keep it together, Kameko! He doesn't know you, and technically, you don't even know him! You can't even be sure if Bulma got his personality right, let alone his powers! Better keep your eyes open and stay alert. Who knows what this guy might throw at you if you don't...

She swallowed her fear and descended, touching down on the desolate streets of a place called "Nicky Town". She reached for an empty shirt, feeling the fabric. It was still warm: the android had to be close.

Her blood froze when she heard clattering behind her, the sound of clashing metal. She whirled around just in time to see a stray cat jumping out of a garbage bin, quickly scurrying away in the shadows.

Maybe Oolong's suggestion about waiting for backup wasn't so dumb after all…

Kameko hugged herself and realized she missed the cowardly pig. Maybe he wasn't that big of a help in battle, but he was her best friend and one was only rarely found without the other at their side. And here al by herself with only empty clothes to keep her company, she felt naked and vulnerable. What she wouldn't give to bump into someone who was still alive and breathing… anyone!

KT-CH!

I didn't mean that literally!

KT-CH! KT-CH! KT-CH!

Her body tensed when metallic footsteps pierced through the thick silence, the sound reflecting off the abandoned buildings. Fighting the urge to panic and run for it like any sane person would do, Kameko clenched her fists and turned around.

"Well hello there, my dear," a familiar voice rasped. "I wasn't expecting us to meet again so soon. How bold to seek me out on your own. Foolish, but bold nonetheless."

The girl gritted her teeth, looked the android in the eyes… and immediately realized she had just made a deadly mistake.