"Kindred Spirits "
June 2002 Debs-dragon
Chapter 4
The next morning saw the front lawn of the Capsule Corp resembling that of a tip. Blankets, sleeping bags, ground sheets, tents, numerous utensils as well as items of clothing were strewn about, and in the middle of it all stood four bewildered youths.
"Are you sure we need all this stuff?" asked Goten as he gazed around at the pile.
"Most of it we do need, but I concede we need to cut down a bit or else we will never manage to carry it all," said Bra as she also contemplated the pile.
I suggest we start with the list and pack the stuff as we go," said Pan.
"Right, what's first then?" asked Kauli.
"Tents," called Bra as she fished the list out of her jeans pocket and scanned down it.
Goten and Kauli unearthed the two tents and rolled them up to fit in their carry bags.
"Check. Two tents," called Goten and he put them to one side.
"Okay, ground sheets."
Pan passed the ground sheets over to Kauli, trying hard not to stare at the guy.
"Sleeping bags."
"Yup."
"Right, all the cooking utensils, plates, mugs and stuff. Did you all bring your own?" asked Bra.
"Yes," came the chorused reply.
"I think we should each carry our own stuff and pack the 'communal' pots and pans into the other rucksack," Pan offered.
"Sounds good to me," said Kauli as he smiled at the dark haired girl.
Pan felt a blush graze her cheeks and quickly brought herself back under control.
Next came the food supplies. Most of it was packaged goods for the simple reason of storage. They had all agreed they could hike into the town to get any fresh food they wanted during their stay.
"Now we need to pack our clothes into our rucksacks and then we can put the rolled up tents and ground sheets on top," Bra said as she surveyed the pile.
Silence ensued for a short while as each person tried to cram their clothes into their various bags.
"I swear this bag has shrunk!" grumbled Pan.
"Nah, it's not the bag. It's all that fancy stuff you're trying to squash in there," quipped Goten. "I tell you, Pan, you only need two pairs of jeans and one sweater."
"But what if it rains?"
"I'm sure no one is going to be bothered if you wear the same jeans for at least three days."
Goten came over to help his niece. Dipping into the bag he pulled out a pair of pajamas.
"Hey give them back," squealed Pan.
"You don't need pajamas, Pan."
"Then what am I supposed to sleep in?"
"Try shorts and a tee shirt."
Kauli watched the exchange with amusement. Goten had removed all the stuff from Pan's bag and was tossing aside various items.
"You don't need this... or that..."
"Hey! Watch what your throwing out there buddy," came the disgruntled voice.
"Ohhh, what have we here? Well aren't these just sooo cute.." Goten fished into the bag and pulled out a pair of lacy red pants.
"Goten!" screamed Pan as she blushed as red as her pants. She tried to grab the item from her uncle but he danced out of the way.
"Now, now..." he teased.
"Give me those back, you hear."
"Say, please..."
"Pleaseeee."
Goten thought he had embarrassed her enough so he handed over the said item of apparel.
Quickly Pan replaced them in the rucksack and tried desperately to hide her face from Kauli.
Soon the pile had diminished in size and everyone was content with what they had. Groaning, Bra tried an experimental lift of her bag.
"I'm never going to be able to carry this!" she exclaimed. "It's way too heavy."
Pan whispered in her ear and Bra looked around quickly to see her father watching from outside his gravity machine, the usual sneer plastered to his face. Jaw set in determination she hoisted the heavy pack onto her back and slipped her arms through the straps.
"There! Once it's on it's not so bad. In fact it's quite light." And as if to highlight her point she made a few jaunty steps in Goten's direction. Keeping an eye on her father she saw him give a snicker and turn back to his machine. Once he was out of sight she groaned and dropped the heavy pack back to the ground. "Ohh, god," she moaned.
Goten was trying vainly to keep his laughter in check. He stared down at the blue haired girl. "Look, Bra why don't we pack all of yours and Pan's clothes in one rucksack, mine and Kauli's in the other, then you girls can carry those. The rest of the food and stuff can go into the other two and Kauli and I will carry them." He cocked his head to one side as he waited for her response.
Deciding her stubborn streak could take a running jump, for once she listened to Goten and readily agreed.
Soon everything was re-packed and a small list of items they needed to buy made out.
"Let's go down to the mall and get the shopping done now," Pan said.
"Good idea, while we're there we can grab a bite of lunch too," added Goten.
"I hope you are bringing your own food supply then," Bra retorted knowing how much Goten was capable of consuming.
"I have my fishing rod and in case it passed your notice, me - the big strong cave man - will hunt and bring home meat for rest of tribe."
Bra went into a fit of giggles as Goten pranced around doing what he thought was a reasonably good imitation of a cave man.
Pan punched her uncle in the arm, "Come on you Neanderthal nitwit, let's behave and head into town."
With both Bra and Kauli unable to fly and Pan and Goten supposedly not allowed to fly when the public were concerned they piled into Kauli's car. It wasn't anything flash, just a beat up old sedan, but as Kauli said, the motor was fine, she ran like a dream and got him where he needed to go.
A short while later they arrived in town and parked in the underground carpark. Locking the car, Kauli followed the others into the mall. They made a beeline for the supermarket and set about the task of combing the aisles for the items they needed.
"Marshmallows!" exclaimed Goten... "We have to have marshmallows." And he eagerly placed a dozen packets into the trolley.
"Goten!"
"What?"
"Marshmallows, yes... but a dozen packets?"
"Why not? And that's just for me." He winked at Kauli.
Rolling her eyes Bra removed six packets and continued on grumbling quietly to herself about Saiya-jins and their appetites.
Finally the trolley contained all they needed so they headed for the checkout. Bra and Pan unloaded while Goten and Kauli flirted shamelessly with the checkout operator. Pan felt strange watching Kauli as he interacted with the girl.
"Could this be jealousy?" she thought and then dismissed it. "I don't even know the guy so why should I be jealous?" She tried to push the thoughts away and concentrate on the task at hand.
With all the items packed safely into the boot of Kauli's car they headed back to the mall and to the coffee shop that was a favorite haunt of the 'gangs'. Sitting down, they studied the menu that they all knew so well. The waitress came up to take their order.
"Chicken salad and a large coke, no ice please," said Bra.
"I'll have the same," said Pan.
"Steak burger for me with a side order of fries and a large coke thanks," said Kauli.
"Hmmm... Two hamburgers with the lot, steak burger, two side orders of fries and a root beer please," said Goten as he put the menu down.
Kauli watched the waitress for a reaction but was surprised when none came. She wrote the order down and went off to the kitchen. Pan watched Kauli and realized what he had been thinking. She decided to enlighten him.
"We come here regularly," she started, "All the staff know us here and know about Goten's rather large appetite."
Kauli nodded in reply.
"You should have seen the looks we used to get when we first started coming here. They couldn't believe that the guys could eat all they ordered or that we could pay for it," added Bra.
"It's worse when Trunks is with us. The first time they came they had pretty much two of everything on the menu!... each!..." stated Pan with a giggle.
Kauli's eyes opened wide as he pictured the scene and then began to laugh. He knew all about Goten's appetite, having been privy to it at the Son house. Frankly, after seeing Goku's efficiency at consuming food he was surprised there was anything edible left on the planet!
The food arrived and everyone ate in silence for a while. Sipping on their sodas they relaxed and planned out the next day.
"I think we should get going early, say around nine o'clock?" Bra suggested.
"I agree," said Kauli. "That way when we get to the camp site we will have plenty of time to pitch the tents and get all out stuff sorted out and stashed."
"Then we can go exploring," said Pan.
"Yup, well I'm easy, I will fit in with whatever you decide," said Goten as he lounged back, hands folded behind his head.
"Easy are we?" said Bra as she quirked an eyebrow at Goten.
Goten's face went red as he realized how Bra had interpreted his words. Then with a wicked grin he thought 'Two can play at that game' "I guess you will just have to find out how easy I can be," he quipped.
Now it was Bra's turn to blush. "Ohh Goten..." she thought. "Don't tempt me."
"If you two have quite finished, shall we go?" said Pan as she watched the subtle play between her uncle and friend.
"Yes, I think we had better," said Bra.
Leaving the money on the table the four headed back to Kauli's car and the Capsule Corp.
They unpacked the boot and finished setting all the gear ready for the trip. With everything packed up neatly and stacked in the lounge room ready for departure, the four friends bid each other farewell, promising to meet up at eight thirty the following morning to head off.
Bra returned to her room and put on a CD. Her mind was running in circles, Goten had been flirting with her, she was sure of it. Flopping onto her back on the bed she thought about the up coming week. With there only going to be the four of them and Pan obviously interested in Kauli, it would prove to be the perfect opportunity to see if Goten returned her interest. She was pretty sure he did, but by the end of the week she intended to know for sure just where she stood in Goten's affections.
#
Goten and Kauli dropped Pan off on their way home. For once Pan had relinquished her usual independence and accepted the offer of a lift. Normally she would have flown home, but the temptation to be in the car with the object of her interest and able to study him a bit more was too good to pass up. She waved to the boys as they sped away. "See you in the morning," she called as the car made its way down the road and back to the Son house.
"This looks like it will be a fun week," said Kauli, "Thanks for inviting me along."
"Hey, no problem man. You don't think I would go off into the wilds with two women by myself now do you? I might be mad but I'm not that insane," laughed Goten.
"So what's the deal with you and Bra?"
"Huh?"
"Come on, Goten. You would have to be blind not to see the chemistry there."
"In that case pass me a white stick," said Goten with a grin.
Kauli laughed "I get it... you are infatuated with the girl, but are in self denial."
Goten stared at his friend and his face took on a serious look. "Kauli... I will be honest here. I really don't know what it is I feel for Bra. We have been friends for years, but lately I think I am beginning to feel something stronger for her. But I'm not sure."
Kauli smiled. "Then this week will be the perfect opportunity for the two of you to get together and find out."
With that thought in his head Goten once more stared out the window at the passing landscape.
#
tbc...
