Chapter 4 - Cheshire Cats and the Search for Hatter (This is the edited version. Enjoy)
"Trunks" groaned Vegeta in irritation "Why does it have to be him?" He had hoped that he wouldn't find anyone that resembled his son in this strange world, but this just made things worse. The Trunks-cat on the other hand was just smiling at him.
"Trunks…" said the cat happily "That sounds like a cool name. Sounds better than Cheshire cat... yeah you can call me Trunks if you want!" Vegeta sighed; at least he could call him by the name he was used too. It made things less awkward. He fell silent again wondering whether there was any use in talking to the cat, but he remembered that he needed directions to the Hāto-jō.
"Hey cat!" he called up in a demanding tone, placing both his hands on his hips in a stand-off fashion "Where's the way to the Hāto-jō?" The smile on Trunks' face fell into a puzzled look.
"The Hāto-jō?" he asked in a cautious tone. "Why would you want to go there? That place is a death trap." Vegeta smirked.
"Believe me when I tell you cat, I can handle any death trap that comes my way. Just tell me which way I should go." Trunks lay on the tree branch and placed his hands behind his head.
"Why need directions? If you walk long enough you'll find it in the end" he said in a dreamy fashion. Vegeta put his hand to his head in a face palm.
'Is this cat really that stupid?' he thought in a disbelieved tone. He said the next bit out aloud, "When I say I want directions, I demand directions. Now show me where to go. I can't stay..." The Trunks-cat faced Vegeta and looked at him for some time. Vegeta began to get very irritated.
"What? What's wrong?" Vegeta demanded. Trunks-cat just grinned and then... he vanished. Vegeta blinked one or two times to see if he wasn't seeing things. He looked all around but the Trunks-cat was nowhere to be seen.
"Neat trick isn't it; I learnt it when I was young. It's handy for confusing enemies and when playing hide and seek I always win. And I can take others with me if I want."
Vegeta searched around, 'things would be easier with my ki. But I can't seem to use it here. How repugnant' he thought. He presently saw the Trunks-cat standing by the tree behind him, looking very proud of himself. Vegeta was very un-amused.
"No more games cat" he said sternly, his fists clenching in anger "tell me where the Hāto-jō is." The Trunks-cat sighed, "I can't remember off the top of my head I'm afraid. But I have a friend who does. He's a Hatter, he works there sometimes." Vegeta unclenched his fists; at least he was getting somewhere. He told Trunks to lead the way.
As Vegeta followed the cat he wondered who this Hatter guy was. He had a feeling that he would look like somebody from his world; but who it would be? He didn't know. The sound of running was heard a little way off and without warning the Trunks-cat leapt at something. A small yell was followed by a dull thump. Vegeta crossed his arms and with an annoyed snarl he followed after him.
"Ow! Why'd you do that?" whimpered a small familiar voice.
"Sorry... I thought you were a guard for the Red Queen" followed the sorry reply of Trunks. Vegeta uncrossed his arms and stared at the stranger.
'That's Kakarot's youngest son... Goten isn't it?'Goten sat up, he looked like the one from Vegeta's world only he had small mouse ears and a tail. Vegeta put one hand to his head and rubbed it as if he had a headache.
'When this is over, I'm never helping Kakarot again! Just plain training for me...' he thought, whilst wondering if there was something wrong with his head. This place was just too weird to be normal. Mouse-Goten was back on his feet and now dusting himself off. He took a quick glance at Vegeta and hid behind Trunks-Cat.
"He's scary. Is he an outsider?" whimpered Goten. Trunks-Cat nodded, and then started looking at Vegeta in interest.
"Although," he said "this outsider is different. There's something about him. He's like..."
Trunks-Cat paused and whispered to Mouse-Goten. He gasped. All the whispering started to get Vegeta frustrated. Being frustrated was not what he wanted at this time.
"Hey!" he demanded "Cat! You're meant to be taking me to this 'Hatter' guy!" Trunks-Cat gave him an irritated look then sighed. He continued walking and Vegeta followed. Mouse-Goten walked beside Trunks-Cat and they were whispering to one another. Vegeta just followed; with every step he took he wished that today would just be over.
'That's it! It's official…I'm going crazy…'
One thing was for certain; having Trunks as a boy with cat ears and a tail was just the middle of an iceberg, but this… this was the thing that shattered the iceberg. Trunks had finally led him to Hatter and for that it made Vegeta more resolute to get to the Hāto-jō. He was starting to have second thoughts when he saw the table, full of tea cups, food and tons of chairs around it.
'This Hatter guy must have a few screws loose' thought Vegeta as he stood just behind Trunks and Goten. Trunks-cat looked up at Vegeta smiling "He's mad I know, but he's a good guy. Some say… he has awesome powers." Vegeta just smirked; he didn't want to know his life history, he just wanted to get out of this weird world.
That was before he knew who he was (or perhaps whom he looked like). It resemblance was unmistakable; he still wore that ridiculous orange gear only know he wore a hat and a ridiculous one at that. Vegeta mumbled under his breath "I hoped you wouldn't be here… Kakarot"