Okay! Here is your next chapter!

LPphreek had asked for Bulma's perspective, but unfortunately, in this arc, she is at Roshi's place building a better dragon radar and is totally busy. I don't really want to research all that again, but I do remember that Puar and Yamcha and Oolong weren't with her, so I figured they were safe to use until the day Goku defeats the Red Ribbon Army. Then all of them are at Roshi's. Yeah... Canon shot me in the foot with this one, but there is going to be a gap of three years (which I am going to change to two because of artistic license). I'll write her perspective then.

Yeah, I research, which was probably why it took a while to get the last one out. I had to make sure the flow was just right for my intended story line.

As to Vegeta's age appearance and height- I managed to add that in this chapter. (Thanks Any) Also, he might be wearing something weird, so I'll try to sketch it out and post the link on my profile as soon as possible. I will probably mention it in my author notes when it is done in the next update.

This is all experimental and all feedback is wonderful. PLEASE tell me what you really think.

Please, ask questions if you don't get it. I answer those that have a penname that I can pm the answer to.

Give me input on what you'd like to see, and maybe you might see it in this story or a different one depending one where I think it'd best be used. (And I give you credit for the story) Thank you all for helping me so far and I have considered a lot of what was offered, but I haven't made a total decision just yet.

Read and enjoy.

Puar let out a sigh, looking sadly at the glass of ice milk in front of her. Lightly, she took a well manicured finger and dipped it into the cream, stirring it as the dance music became nothing but background noise.

"Something the matter miss?" The bartender asked her, being familiar with one of their more frequent visitor.

He had seen her too many times before. One day the young miss started appearing at this dance club and from then on, she just kept coming back. A lovely thing she was, flawless doll face, long grayish blue hair that was perfectly placed into an intricate hairstyle, matching colored cat's eyes, manicured hands, hourglass figure, nice clothes, high heels made from the finest shoe makers, and a catty look to her, but all around, she was a gorgeous young lady.

"What?" she said, her silvery bell voice sounding surprised, "Oh, no. I was just thinking. Thank you for caring though."

"You come in so often is all, usually you're having the time of your life dancing away with all the fine men on the dance floor, but today you seem a little out there." The bartender confessed with a guilty grin, "I don't mean to stare, but you come so often."

Puar smiled sweetly at him, giving him one of the catty grins she was infamous for here. "I'm fine. Just… lost in thought for something I can never have."

"And that'd be?" He pressed, glad to see that the young lady was such a gem inside as she was out.

"A man of my own," She conceded with a secret smile.

"Well miss, I don't know how true that statement could be, but there is a gentleman that's been looking at you for a while. Dressed wildly, but I bet a man like he would love to dance with a young lady as yourself. Maybe you'll find that man you never think you'll have."

Puar's brows pulled together in confusion, slowly she glanced at the place that the bartender was pointing at to see a handsome man. Not her type, but he was quite different than the others that hung around here. His eyes were strictly upon her, watching as she made eye contact. She smiled happily to the bartender before finishing her milk and trotting off towards the other teen.

"I have been informed that you've been staring at me for a while," She teased, with a little bend at the waist and pulled her hands behind her back, "If you're so persistent as to stare at me, perhaps you'd like a dance?"

"Perhaps," was his one word answer, giving her a crooked smirk.

His voice was deep and as handsome as his sharp features. He looked about her age maybe a little older- eighteen or so. He seemed to rival Bulma in height perhaps an inch taller, but that was fine since Puar was barely five feet even in a transformation. His hair was all beaded at the bottom of his long locks of hair with some sliver beads, most of it was pulled into the pony tail at the nape of his neck, the for the shorter strands that weren't long enough, they were thrown to the right side of his head. He was wearing pants that reminded her of chaps that cowboys would wear, but the fabric was different- like silk but more durable. His hips were exposed to the elements, but his shirt covered his front. His shirt was long almost Asian looking but with a flair that almost seemed alien. Something about him though was familiar.

He held out a hand for her to take, but offered a little more words to her, "However, you'll have to forgive me, I've never danced before."

"Never danced?" She asked surprised, before turning her face into another smile, "Well, I will remedy that. No woman with a good head on her shoulders will take a man with two left feet!" She took his hand pulling him with a laugh as the music turned into something upbeat.

He obliged her, following her movements and eventually began to lead. Paur laughed happily as she enjoyed herself, totally forgetting her worries on the floor with this mystery man. It was nice for once to totally forget about everything else and just enjoy the moment where she was able to dance freely.

"You seemed to be having fun," her male partner commented once the final song had been played, "Do you often come here to participate?"

"Yes," Puar laughed, still smiling from her night, "It is my one passion in this world!"

"May I walk you home?" her mystery man asked, offering his arm to her.

"No, you may not," Puar shook her head, but placed her hand on his arm nonetheless, "But you may walk me to the bus stop."

He gave her a smirk and did just that, not even looking upset at her obvious decline. Puar wasn't stupid, she knew what most men were after, so she always declined any further attempts at relationships besides dancing partners. It wasn't personal, but she wasn't necessarily capable of maintaining a relationship.

The cool air hit them as they walked out into the night. It was strange, she had never really had someone actually escort her to her bus without expecting anything, but he was different. It was nice.

"So, what is your name, oh mystery man," Puar teased him again, with a smile and a light laugh.

"You may call me Neko, as many people do," her escort said with a bow of his head, "And your name is Puar, no?"

She froze. She never ever told anyone her name. Never. It was part of her philosophy that she danced till dawn, but never let her name be stolen from her lips. She tried to pull away, but Neko was too strong for her.

"Calm down shape-shifter," he chuckled, "I am not here to expose you to anyone. I merely wish to speak to you about a common friend."

"A common friend, Neko-san?" Her voice quivered as she allowed him to lead her to the park that was off route to her bus stop, "I do not believe that I have met you before. Nor would any of my friends associate with a strange man such as yourself."

"Before you were purring my praises, now you hiss at me," Neko chuckled, "Strange, I rarely get hisses from cats."

It was sudden, but the wind had blown her direction, forcing his scent upon her and she nearly purred despite her current form. There was that familiar scent that she had only been privy to once. It made her pupils contract into nothing but slivers and she could not stop staring at him. She was certain at that moment, if he had asked anything from her, she would not decline.

"You recognize me now," those onyx eyes seemed amused as the two of them paused in the middle of the park.

"You… your-"

"I'd rather you call me Neko for now," he cut her off. She could feel a tail brush against her calf, "Now, little shape-shifting cat, I have a favor to ask of you."

She hissed feral like at him, scratching him as she freed herself from his hold, "How dare you! How dare you come here and ask a favor of me! After what you did to Bulma!"

"How dare I?" He hissed back just as easily as she, "Little cat, you know nothing of me."

"I know enough!" She yelled back, stomping her foot despite her fear, "You left her! You made her terribly sad! And not to mention what you did to poor Yamcha!"

"'To poor Yamcha'?" He laughed at her words, "I see now." Puar felt fear creep up her throat as his pupils became nothing more than slits while hers dilated widely. "You're in love with the boy."

"Stop." Puar muttered, holding a fist to her chest and clutching at the clothes.

"You've been watching as he has frolicked with the girl!" Neko laughed loudly, holding his sides.

"Stop it," she muttered a little louder, clenching harder.

"And all along your just the best friend he'll never love."

"STOP IT!" She finally screamed, tears pouring from her face.

He stopped, crossing his arms as she continued to rant. "You're right, okay! I have been madly in love with Yamcha since the very moment I met him! I watched over him as he struggled with every female he met. I supported him through thick and thin! And you know what? He chose Bulma! Bulma!" She sobbed for a second as she fell to her knees, her hands fisting in the dirt, "I love Bulma… but he was mine! And I tried to win his heart countless times, but you know what? I'm just a cat. A freaky shape-shifting cat that will never be a human! I can pretend to be one for a night at most, but I will never really be what I want the most! A human girl that Yamcha will love!"

She remained where she was for a few minutes before she hear him let out a frustrated groan and shift from foot to foot. "Alright, enough with the waterworks."

"I… I can't," Puar whimpered as she tried to wipe her eyes dry. "I just can't seem to stop…"

It surprised her when he generated a handkerchief and held it out to her, "Dry your tears. I can't stand seeing a female cry."

"It's all your fault though," she hiccupped, taking the hankie and using it, "I hate it when I lose it. You're a jerk, just like Bulma said you were."

She heard him chuckle as he stooped low enough for her to see eye to eye with him, "Yeah, she would say that. Now." He gently took her in his bigger hands and pulled her up, "Up you go."

"I don't get you. You make me cry, then you are kind you me. What is it you want?" She asked weakly.

"What I want is the truth." He all but purred, using his natural charm on her unknowingly, "And all you want is to be a real human. So I have an idea."

"And what would that be, Neko-san?" She snapped, still feeling like she was on a emotional rollercoaster.

"I give you what you want," he said as he quickly circled from one side of her to the over, "and you help me expose the truth."

"And why not expose the truth yourself? And what truth are you talking about anyway?"

"I no longer hold merit in her eyes, do I?" Neko whispered, "Not without evidence to my innocence."

"And what is this evidence or this truth you speak of for that matter?" He was playing mind games on her, she knew he was, but she couldn't help but feel that whatever he was talking about was vitally important.

She was suddenly rammed into the tree, it was gentle enough not to hurt her, but she was still winded and shocked. "I never left her alone! I had written her a letter explaining this situation and that rat stole it like the bandit he was!" He snarled, his anger apparent, "I no longer can show my face to her without my honor restored to me. How could I ask her to look me in the face when all she knows is a lie? I'll give your humanity if you agree to help me."

"Are you saying that Yamcha is a liar?" Puar roared, baring her teeth that were slowly becoming more cat like as her hold on the form was waning.

"I am saying nothing of the sort. That is a decision you'll need to come upon on your own. I merely want my side to be known with the evidence that will prove my innocence."

"Why do you care so much then? Why must you prove yourself to Bulma? Does it really matter all that much in the long run?"

He was quite for a moment before unpinning her from the tree. In all honesty, he really didn't know what drove him to make himself innocent in her eyes. It was a need deep within him that he didn't understand. It was a bond not yet identified but it was there and very strong.

"It matters to me because I mattered to her." He finally said.

Puar looked away, shocked at the statement. He was nothing like what she had been told. They were more alike than Puar wanted to believe right now. She had once been Yamcha's whole world- his supporter, his council, his best friend. But lately, she had been left in the dust, no longer the apple of his eye now that Bulma was around. She loved Bulma- she really did- but because of her, she didn't matter to Yamcha anymore. Those words echoed in her for a moment before she began to nod, shakily at first then steadfastly.

"Alright…" She finally conceded, "I'll… help you look for your evidence."

"I thank you," He bowed his head.

"But that doesn't mean I believe you. Yamcha wouldn't do such a thing."

He didn't say anything, but the look he gave her said plenty. He was going to let her live in her little reality. All he wanted was that Bulma's reality was set straight, no one else's.

"It's quite late," he finally muttered, "I have failed to get you to your bus stop, so allow me to guide you home safely."

Puar didn't object this time. She was tired, emotionally drained, and just wanted to crawl back to her little bed and sleep the night off the best she could. She offered her hand to him to take, like he had done so before while pretending to escort her to her bus stop, but instead, he grabbed her and pulled her into his hold.

"Hold tight and don't scream," his voice teased her before suddenly they were up in the air flying.

"Ohmygosh," she breathed out, latching onto him with slight fear of being dropped.

He was highly amused by her fear, but didn't play on it cruelly. Quickly but gently enough he flew her back to Capsule where she, Yamcha, and Oolong still lived with Bulma and her family. Neko paused a while away to take in the view. Puar realized he hadn't been back in over a year to the place he had once called home. He pressed on after a few moments, landing her on the balcony where her doors were still open from her initial escape.

He said nothing as he nodded to her, backing up and taking to the sky again, towards the crescent moon that hung in the sky. She just shook her head, heading inside before releasing the transformation. Quickly she went through her usual steps of putting away the clothes and shoes she had worn that night in her secret stash and promptly passed out in her bed.

Goku sighed as he sat there, staring at Korin. He had made it up here last night, but he wasn't doing very well. Korin was hard! And there was even the time the sneaky cat threw his dragon ball off the tower, making him have to climb down and back up. His muscles hurt and he vaguely wondered how Vegeta had managed this the first time!

It was as if Kami was answering his wonderings when the raven haired teen suddenly appeared in an outfit very different from the humble clothes he had worn before when down with Bora.

"Vegeta?" he had to ask, just to make sure that this was even the same person… his hair was lying limp instead of shooting upright like usual, perhaps those beads kept it down?

"Yes, it's me," Vegeta sighed, leaning against the wall before slowly slumping against it.

Goku could tell that Vegeta was more exhausted that even he was. There were obvious bags under his eyes and the droopiness of his eyes proved how much the older Saiyan wanted to sleep. However, despite the many questions about his presence at Korin's tower, the one that came out first was-

"What are you wearing? You're hair looks long and kinda funny."

Actually, it probably only looked strange because the upsweep hair was now down like a regular human's hair. He almost looked like a human… almost.

"Kami thought it best that I look a little different if I was to blend in," Vegeta muttered, rubbing his right eye that was beginning to blur in rebellion to his exhaustion, "So he materialized this outfit on me. The beads are metal weights, so as long as I don't charge up my ki too much, they'll keep my hair down."

"Oh," Goku nodded, before letting the two of them fall into a silence.

"I know this seems a bit unfair, but I need the dragon's wish," Vegeta finally spoke, breaking the long pause between the two of them.

He wanted to get back soon so he could just sleep all of this off. Kami could heal him while unconscious, but it worked best if he was awake- though he hardly cared right now. Sleep was the only thing on his tired mind. He hadn't slept well in the past few days trying to organize everything.

"No, it's alright, I was going to gather most of them anyways because of the Red Ribbon Army. I think the best way of making them stop hurting others is to wipe them out. I'll gather the balls from them and we'll see how many left I'll need." Goku nodded, pausing a moment before asking, "What are you going to wish for?"

"I made a promise to a friend of yours," Vegeta grunted, trying to get up so he could finally find his way to his bed, "That I would wish her to be a human."

"Why's that?"

"Because then she'll cooperate. She's no doubt the only one who knows that bandit in and out."

"Puar?" Goku guessed, but then added, "Why would she want to be a human?"

"The heart is a fickle thing." Was all Vegeta allowed, finally up and shuffled out to the balcony, "Hurry up with your training and get back to hunting the dragon balls. I can't leave this area for long."

Goku nodded and watched the other Saiyan leave. He then observed the cat once more, trying to figure it out. Sure, he could have asked Vegeta, but he doubted the other Saiyan would really actually tell him. He remembered that Bora said Vegeta had told him that through the challenge that the reward was to be received…

Perhaps he was looking at this all wrong. Korin's earlier words rang through his head as well. The cat had constantly told him that he was too easy to read. That he should be paying closer attention to Korin's breathing. Was that it? He looked over to the cat, shrugging as he slowly synced himself with the old cat's breathing and mimicked his every move. Anything was worth a try at least once.

Scratch was already starting her day. It was a simple matter really, but she felt the need to do it everyday since her initial coming to the compound. Every morning she got up before Dr. Briefs and his lovely wife and headed to the inner garden. Upon entering, she would greet the other cats, exchanging news with them, like what was going on with the neighbors and the happenings in the streets before pressing on to greet the dogs, birds, and dinosaurs.

Every single one was friendly and receptive to her. She had put forth a large amount of effort to be on good terms with everyone. After all, they provided her with some of the most intriguing information in the whole world, and believe her when she boasted that she had been around the world at least once.

However, there was one cat that was missing: Puar. Now Puar was a special kind of cat, like she was, that could actually understand humans and had an unnaturally long life span. Scratch figured it was because of some scientific DNA testing that had been preformed before the Final World War, but that was all speculation on her part due to her studies. She wasn't that old, but she had come to learn to read in the last few years or so while Dr. Briefs was working. It helped her in her own studies- like why she was so intelligent or why Puar could shape-shift and speak the human tongue so easily.

None of the other cats could retain as much knowledge as she or Puar so sometimes she was relieved that Puar was around to talk to. The other cats tended to reach a peak to where they could learn, and do not even get her started on the dogs. It was lonely at the top, but Puar often kept her company, though it was hard to be around someone who wished desperately to be a human. She could communicate with them already, what more was there?

After finishing her meal that the bots brought to her in the garden, she padded off with a fish in her mouth for go find her feline companion before starting her day with Dr. Briefs. Though he didn't really understand the magnitude of her intelligence, he would still ask her questions time to time to which she'd help him answer in some way or another- though he didn't know that, it was just his way of thinking out the problem.

Puar was very different from she. While Scratch was intelligent and polite but somewhat standoffish to humans, Puar was warm and gentle. She had a heart of gold. Her intelligence, however, was mediocre, but eons better than the other animals. Shaking her thoughts from such things, she easily played with the door knob that lead to Puar's room- which was because the shape-shifting cat insisted to be as humanly as possible- and opened it with little difficulty.

She headed for the chair near the desk, hopping onto the desk, and using that to easily jump onto the bed. She was too small to climb up the bedding with a fish in her mouth. She dropped the meal before batting at the long tail that was underneath the covers.

"Up and at 'em," she said, now pressing her paw on the long tail, "It's well past sunrise and I highly doubt you were out that long dancing. The clubs close at two."

"Hmprph," the grayish blue cat muttered as she pushed herself further into the pile of pillows.

Scratch knew that Puar was a nocturnal creature. Most of the time she spent her nights on a dance floor pretending to be a human, if only for a while, so she never was good at getting up. However, usually she would stir a bit better than this.

"What now, a boy came and stole your heart off that dance floor of yours?" She poked fun at the slightly younger cat.

"No, worse," came the reply as Puar withdrew even her tail to under her sheets. "He made my heart doubt."

"Doubt your love for that boy- Yamcha?" Scratch persisted. "I hardly think one night with another lad would make you question your affection for another unless he was one hell of a kisser."

"No," Puar finally poked her head out of the pile of pillows, "He didn't win my affections. He didn't want my affections, but he questioned the merit of Yamcha… and I can't figure out if he was right or maybe if he was lying. I don't know! I am so confused, Soreya!"

Soreya was Scratch's true name. Noraneko Soreya was her name from the street. It wasn't the most impressive name, but she thought it suited a cat such as she. Of course, no human knew her real name, they all preferred to call her either 'Scratch' or 'Kitty', both of which she responded to with a meow.

"What is there to be confused about, Puar?" She asked, licking her paw and quickly grooming the other cat to offer her solace.

"He- Neko-san- he said that Yamcha lied to Bulma!"

"Yamcha lies about all sorts of things, none too big, but humans often do not speak the truth all the time." Soreya shrugged, thinking the matter blown out of proportion before she caught whiff of the lingering scent on Puar.

"No… it was big." Puar sniffled, rubbing her paw against her eye as to fight back the tears.

"Tell me, was this… Neko-san… was it-" She was cut off when Puar nodded, looking away.

"He insisted I call him Neko."

"Well… that changes things." Soreya nodded, no longer brushing it off as nothing. "Neko-san does not lie about things such as that. What did he tell you exactly, Puar. I need you to give me it word for word so I can figure out what you should do."

"You… you believe him?" Puar looked aghast that she would just believe something was wrong- that Yamcha really had lied big time.

"I was around longer than you. I was here when he was here. The amount of trust placed on that boy by Dr. Briefs and his wife is massive. I was there when he was making plans with them to leave and I was there to see him off when the others could not."

Puar could not believe what she was hearing, "But… but he didn't say goodbye! Bulma was lying to her parents when she said he had told her goodbye. He beat up Yamcha and left!"

"No," Soreya was now very sure whatever was going on wasn't right, "I was there. That boy had a smell like no other and I helped him by keeping the other cats away. I was there when the Vegeta introduced the Namekian to Dr. Briefs and his wife and all four of them discussed Vegeta leaving to heal and gain control over his sudden burst in strength. I even saw him compose the letter he left for Bulma! I waited for him at the door to give him one last goodbye! He really did leave on good terms. Vegeta was having trouble controlling his strength, but it is out of character for him to act violently towards one of Bulma's friends."

"But Yamcha-"

"Puar, I don't think Yamcha was telling the truth," She shook her head looking urgently at the other cat, "Do you honestly think I would make up such a thing?"

The severity of the situation hit Puar like a ton of bricks. Yamcha had lied about everything. He had lied about how Vegeta left, no doubt stealing the letter, and now she wondered if Vegeta even beat up the boy of her affections at all. If he had lied about all those things… what else did he lie about!

The first thing that came to Puar's mind was not about proving Neko's innocence or finding proof about his declaration to her that he had left a letter. No. The first thing that was on her mind was trying to get Yamcha out of the Brief's home and making sure Bulma was safe.

Yamcha wasn't above stealing from little old ladies, that much she knew from her time with him as a bandit. He stole from anyone he could. Pretty girls just tended to get away because of his phobia, but still, sometimes he succeeded robbing them as well. He wasn't above hitting a girl if they were aggressive towards him or being irritatingly incompliant. Yamcha wasn't a nice bandit like Robin Hood, but she had once loved him without question…

Now, she felt like questioning everything about him. Her heart shattered as she thought more and more about the severity of the situation. She had to find a way to get him out and fast…