Author: Hey all! Sorry for the late update. It's been an interesting challenge to get this chapter written, but I hope that you all like it! Please R/R! I could use the motivation, corrections, assistance, etc.!
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Status: Beginning of Week One.
Progress: None visible.
He could feel his skin crawl as the heat within him pulled violently at his nerves and threatened to push him over the edge of reason. Fatigue held him captive in a way he couldn't remember ever having been victim before. It was enough that the electric surge of power coursing through him had no outlet, let alone a weak cage to be contained within.
"'Is it difficult?'" She asks, and at first he does not catch the subject of her question. But she elaborates in her own vague way and he is able to follow. His response is honest; he is not one to lie. He doesn't care what it means to her, and is not looking for her sympathy. He is only answering her question.
Like most things, he feels the presence before he hears or sees them. He looks up to see the other scientist descending the stairs in a bathrobe and pajamas, yawning as she struggles to wake up. Narrowing his eyes, Brolly scrutinizes her petty powerlevel, and can't help but feel irked that these two had managed to trap him. Granted, they'd had help.
"'Morning Saffie... 'morning Brolly." Bulma mumbled as she shuffled towards the coffee machine. Something seemed to grab her sudden attention just then, like a cold bucket of water being dumped over her head on a hot summer afternoon, and she turned her wide eyes towards a grumpy looking Brolly. Bulma had had many moments throughout her life in which things had shocked her terribly, or had gone so explicably wrong that she'd felt utterly useless and defeated. She'd seen worlds at their ends many a times, and had watched her friends pass on in gruesome deaths, and had even witnessed their return into this life. None of it she'd particularly wanted to see nor experience, other than her friends returning from the brink of death. Brolly loose was one of those things she didn't want to see nor experience. The denial stilled on her tongue as Sapphire let out a small giggle. The younger scientist was quickly adjusting to Brolly sitting quietly at the kitchen table, unlike Bulma.
"Why?" This was all that Bulma managed to croak out. Brolly looked like he might have laughed, he even smiled a little, but his face fell short of the amused expression.
"I'll explain later." Sapphire muttered as she pointed hopefully at the coffee machine. Bulma caught the hint, and cast one more expression of disbelief towards Brolly before she filled two cups.
"Would you like some?" Bulma asked hesitantly as she sat at the table. Brolly only shook his head, his eyes wandering around the world outside the sliding glass door.
"Where are the boys?" Sapphire asked as she took a sip of her coffee. Normally they'd be up by now. It was rare that Bulma beat them. At least her husband would have come downstairs by now.
"They're all outside, sparring and practicing and giving in to testerone." Bulma muttered as she made herself look busy with a week old newspaper. Sapphire frowned.
"Oh... well... where outside?"
"Somewhere completely desolate, I'm guessing." Bulma muttered. Sapphire couldn't figure out what was making Bulma act so strangely, and why she was being so vague and curt.
"Something wrong?" Sapphire ventured quietly, knowing Bulma could be touchy. The blue-haired woman looked up from the newspaper slowly, her glare set on Sapphire. A chill ran down Sapphire's spine as she responded with an expression of innocent confusion. 'Did I do something wrong?' Sapphire wondered to herself.
"Something wrong?! Oh boy, is something wrong! Today's our anniversary and Vegeta's out there sparring and not here planning something magnificent for the two of us to do together! I'm going to kill him!" Bulma's voice rose from a seething growl to an uproar, both shrill and filled with true malice. It was hard not to believe her. Sapphire stared at her incredulously, sure that Vegeta's fate was sealed and glad that it was him and not her. Brolly on the other hand, stared at Bulma as though she'd just grown four more arms. Bulma noticed it, and swung on him.
"What?! Do you have a problem with me angry?!" Brolly's eye twitched, and Sapphire wasn't sure if he was going to make Bulma headless or laugh at her. It didn't seem like he had time to do anything, however, because a rushed Trunks came spluttering down the stairs, mumbling something along the lines of, "dad's going to kill me". He made it half way out the sliding glass door before Bulma caught him.
"And where do you think you're going?!" There was such venom in her voice that it made the hairs on Sapphire's neck coil. Trunks blinked, and looked around the room for answers and support. It was rare that his mom got this worked up about things, but when she did, he'd learned it was usually for a good or justifiable reason. That's when he noticed Brolly sitting at the kitchen table. The legend locked eyes with the demi-Saiyan, and Trunks found it hard look away. It was an unspoken challenge that the Saiyan in him fully understood and wanted so badly to answer to. But the older Saiyan didn't threaten him as Trunks expected he might. He was sure Brolly would have long ago rid of the two women if he meant any trouble at the moment. So, as hard as it was, he formulated an answer for his mother.
"I'm supposed to be training right now." His tone felt sharper than he'd intended, and he saw that fire rise back into Bulma's cheeks. He honestly didn't want to be any later than he was. He wanted to respect his mother, but it always felt more important to respect his father first. His father could cause him physical harm with minimal remorse (especially if he'd felt it justified). That alone had instilled in Trunks a sort of fearful and awe-filled respect for the man. Trunks watched in horror as Bulma's face went from livid anger to a quiet disappointment. If there was any weapon that she could his against him, it was disappointment. He went to comfort her, but Brolly interjected.
"Why don't we all go to the training grounds?" His voice was flat, as though he didn't really care, but wanted to be anywhere but where he was and listening to anything but the family dispute currently taking place. Sapphire stared flatly at him, and Bulma looked as though she were about to argue.
"That's a great idea! Come on mom, please?" Trunks dove for the bait before Bulma could destroy it, and his mother had a hard time saying no to those pleading eyes.
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"You're leaving yourself vulnerable, Goten!" Gohan shouted as the youth stood, recovering from being thrown to the ground. He slid back into his fighting stance, his eyes holding a very Son determination. Goten, determined to get it right, nodded in assent. Gohan rushed him again. Thrusting his hands out, crossing his fore arms, and folding his hands into fists; he blocked Gohan's kick. With a speed many wouldn't expect the youngster to be capable of, he grabbed Gohan's ankle in both hands and twisted. Gohan went with the momentum instead of fighting it, and used it to his advantage. Catching himself in a push-up position, Gohan kicked up and out with his heel. It met solid with Goten's gut, and the teen landed in a heap on the ground. He was already sore enough from the previous losses.
"You need to look ahead of what's happening and what's going to happen. Always be aware of the results of your actions and choices." Gohan instructed as he stood. "You're doing well in finding ways to move around your opponent in that unpredictable moment, but don't forget that your opponent may be just as good as you. Then, not only having to be one step ahead... you will have to be two or three steps ahead." He spoke sagely as he ruffled Goten's hair. His younger brother gave him a thumbs up and Gohan helped him to his feet.
"Good job!" Goku cheered as he sat cross legged next to Vegeta. The two sat behind a computer and watched as it recorded the fight, the powerlevels, and other such statistics. The Son brothers sidled over to take a look at the mock fight, but halted mid step and became rigid. Both full blooded Saiyans followed suit as well. They didn't have much time to deliberate on the eerie feeling they all felt, for Vegeta's son and company soon joined them in the clearing.
It was not an awkward silence, nor a moment of telltale shock. It was that suspended second one feels when something so very wrong, and at the same time so very right, takes place before one can handle the facts. Vegeta is indignant, Goku already knows, Gohan is strangely at war with himself, and Goten looks as though he's nearly lost control of his bladder. He looks hesitantly at Trunks, unsure if he should let Brolly out of his sights. Trunks only shrugs, a silent shake of his head wisely telling Goten to dismiss the fear. The moment was becoming stifling, and Goku moved to break it.
"Hey! Come to spar with us?" The question was directed at Brolly, whose concentration was broken by the query. He deliberated a moment, and in this moment, Goku's suspicions were confirmed. 'It won't be long until that power is out of control', the thought came to him in disappointment, but he refused to allow it to shroud out all hope. Gohan watched his father relax easily, and so he made an effort to follow suit. It has a domino effect, and soon the group of fighters is at an awkward ease.
"I will just watch today." Brolly responded, but something in his eyes remained deadly. Sapphire couldn't pin it down, but she was sure the hostility wasn't there at all this morning. Even in the the early morning when the sun had not yet risen, she had not felt the rising ire she felt from him now. Sapphire watched as he eyed the computers, and she was about to explain when Goku beat her to it.
"We have the computers here to record the mock battles and powerlevels and such. Just a small favor from Bulla for her science fair project." It appeared Brolly's interest was peaked, as he drew nearer and sat not far from the other two. Goku took this as a sign to continue explaining, so he began pointing several things out on the screen as Trunks and Gohan set to sparring.
Sapphire watched, amused, as Brolly began to 'fit in'. It was awkward how natural he looked amongst them. And yet, she couldn't banish how terrible he'd been, and how terrible he'd be again. How easily he'd over powered her was sickening for her alone. And not Goku alone could stop him. What was more, it felt so much easier when she could see him as a monster. The more 'human' he became to her, the harder it was for her to get him out her head, and out from under her skin.
"Sapphire." Bulma was waving a hand in front of her face, and it took a moment for the younger woman to realize she'd totally spaced out. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she apologized. Bulma waved it away and lowered her voice into a conspiratorial whisper, "How did you do it?" Sapphire blinked in confusion, and the other rolled her eyes as though the other girl were too dense.
"I didn't do anything... It was a deal. We have one month to convince him were worth keeping our lives." Sapphire explained when she caught on. It was beginning to sound more and more unrealistic the more she said it aloud and thought about it. How the heck was that going to be possible, anyways? From the frown that spread across Bulma's face, apparantly she didn't see much hope either.
"That sounds more like enough peace time to figure out how to destroy us..." Bulma grumbled. Sapphire hadn't thought of that. It gave her a sudden heavy feeling of hopelessness, and she sunk to the grass and buried her face in her hands.
"Ohhh no... what do we do Bulma?" She asked, but when she looked up, the blue haired woman was glaring at her husband with her arms crossed. She trudged over to inflict punishment on him while Sapphire sat on the grass, defeated and ruined. She was sure that even though things weren't quite looking up, they weren't looking down anymore, either. She was sure she could relax knowing they weren't going to die tomorrow. But now things looked depressingly similar to the way that they'd been before.
"Good job, Trunks!" Goku shouted to the purple haired youth, when he dodged one of Gohan's swift saves. Looking to the screen, he berated Gohan, telling him to bring his powerlevel down a notch.
"Why would he want to do that?" The question came unexpectedly, and Goku looked to Brolly thoughtfully. He'd set to just watching the mock fight after Goku had explained the computers, and hadn't said anything after that.
"Well, we want them to face each other off at an equal power level to determine the differences in skill. Right now, training is about technique, not about force." Goku explained, but Brolly didn't nod or show that he'd understood. In fact, he appeared as though he were waiting for Goku to continue. "Uhh, well, see.. if gohan raised his powerlevel to his limit then he would be using more force than necessary. It wouldn't make him any better of a fighter, either, because he couldn't push himself beyond that limit as easily as he could with his powerlevel as it is now." Goku couldn't think of any other way to explain, and he was thankful when Brolly nodded. His head was starting to ache from trying to explain so many complicated workings (touche).
"How does he control his powerlevel?" Brolly furrowed his brow as he asked this question.
"It's a mix of patience and mental rather than physical work. But if anything, it takes more energy to raise our powerlevels rather than to lower them. But I imagine it would work much the same. And just like now with Gohan, every now and then a surge of adrenaline or just instinct will cause us to bring up our level, but powering down shouldn't be that much of a challenge." As he finished explaining, he watched Brolly's frown deepen considerably. Even without much perceptivity, Goku could tell they were diving into a touchy subject.
"It would be a good thing for all of us to practice... especially you, Kakkarot." Vegeta stated gruffly from where he sat on the other side of Goku, who was about to argue, but then realized the save in time to go with it.
"Yeah, actually... how 'bout tomorrow?" Goku said with a nod. Vegeta gave a nod and a grunt in ascent, and then turned to bark instructions at the two boys who looked near to gnawing on eachother as a last resort to see who would win. That's usually what happened when Goten unceremoniously jumped into a fight against Trunks. The three boys who'd been sparring sidled over and the plan for tomorrow's training schedule was discussed. Brolly sat and listened, appearing a part of what they were talking about. But as Sapphire watched him, she felt like he was elsewhere entirely. He lifted his eyes to her, and embarrassed that she'd been caught staring, she looked down at her hands. She could feel her face heat up, and she willed for herself to stop. There was nothing to be embarrassed about! But anyone would blush if they'd been caught staring, right? She tried to convince herself, and didn't notice when Chi Chi declared all the women cook up a huge feast for Vegeta and Bulma's anniversary.
She did notice when a large hand was held before her. Confused, she looked up to see Brolly looking down upon her with a most serious expression, and behind him, the group was trudging off towards the summer home. Flustered, she took his offered hand and he lifted her easily. She brushed herself off as they followed behind the group. As soon as she settled into a walk beside him, it no longer felt awkward to be in his company. It always seemed like that. As they'd trudged down they stairs and sat at the kitchen table, there wasn't that weird awkwardness that was often found between strangers. Even in the silence... especially in the silence.
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The house was filled with the delicious smell of a feast. So many delectible dishes were laid out on the table, ready to be torn asunder by a house filled with Saiyans and demi-Saiyans with appetites to rival giants. Chi Chi called the rambunctious kids away from the competition on the video games to the table, and Bulma welcomed the guests in that hadn't been able to spend the summer with them. Roshi was his usual lecherous self, and recieved his ceremonious red hand mark. Oolong thundered towards the kitchen, drooling, with puar hot on his heels. There was one person missing from the family, Bulma realized, as she watched Tien and Lunch stumble in with flustered expressions on their faces. Slamming the door, she determined that she refused to let it bring her down. Today was her anniversary with a man that had proven faithful, and she would be happy. Walking towards to the kitchen, she passed their latest addition. He was heading up the stairs, away from the kitchen.
"Brolly, aren't you going to eat with us?" She asked, confused. He shook his head, continuing his trek up the stairs. Shrugging, she made her way into the kitchen to celebrate. Sapphire watched the exchange from the livingroom, and her eyes followed Brolly's journey. When just about everyone had clustered into the kitchen, she stole a bag of crackers and followed his steps.
The hallways upstairs were just as dark as they'd been that morning, if not darker. Sapphire didn't bother, once more, to reach for a light. She trekked quickly to his door and knocked on it twice with her knuckles. No response emanated from the room, and Sapphire bit her lips in painful deliberation. Did she leave him alone and worry over him all night, or did she barge in and possibly make him angry? But wait, worry? What was to worry about? He wasn't human, let alone an ordinary member of his own race... why should she worry?
Angry that she'd let herself worry over him as though he were worth it, she opened his door and stepped into the dark space. She shivered at how cold it was, and looked up to see his window was open. The moon was a pathetic sliver in the sky, making it a dark night. But it shone weak enough of a light that she spotted him sitting just beside his window. He turned to look at her, but she couldn't see his expression. It unnerved her, especially when he didn't say anything.
"I've brought you something." She spoke, closing the door behind her. She hated open doors, as unsafe as it was to leave it closed. It would certainly bar any possible escape. But it would also bar honesty, and that's what she wanted most.
"Aren't you cold?" She asked, when he hadn't responded to her offering. He was wearing the white pants and red tie she always saw him in, but nothing more than that. He whispered a 'no', and the gentleness of it sent her heart fluttering. Stunned, a moment, she had to take pause to berate herself. She wasn't a silly little teen and this was a dangerous man. Taking a deep breath, she crossed the room and pulled a chair near to where he sat on the sill. He watched her silently all the while, and Sapphire had to think really hard about not looking awkward. As soon as she sat down, she withdrew her stolen bag of crackers and popped one in her mouth. She offered him some, but he only shook his head. She furrowed her brow as she crunched on her cracker. She was inclined to force him with the humiliation of the 'choo choo' or the 'airplane', but the thought made her giggle before she could feel too frustrated.
"Why won't you eat?" Sapphire asked indignantly as she ate another cracker.
"How do you know I won't eat?" Brolly asked, and when he turned to look at her there was an argumentative gleam in his eyes. This was a man that loved to argue for the sake of arguing. That, she had learned already.
"I don't... but there won't be anything left in this house to eat after dinner." She stated simply and knowingly. Brolly shrugged.
"Do you want me to force feed you?" She asked, challenging him. It illicited a grin from him.
"I'd like to see you try." Brolly straightened his face and challenged her in all seriousness, but Sapphire had come to know better. Withdrawing a cracked from the bag, she returned his most serious expression.
"Ask me a true or false, or a yes or no question, and I will answer. If you think I've lied, then you say so. If I didn't, you have to eat a cracker. If I did, I have to eat a cracker." Sapphire explained.
"That's a silly game. I could just lie about lying." Brolly said with a rolling of his eyes. Sapphire giggled.
"That's why I'm going to trust you." This brought a grudging frown from Brolly.
"You don't want to be here anymore than I do." Brolly said after a moment's thought.
"True." Sapphire answered quickly. He didn't counter so she in turn asked, "You've felt regret."
"False."
"Liar." He deliberated a moment, and then shook his head.
"No, I'm being honest." He said, and Sapphire blinked in surprise, and then popped a cracker in her mouth.
"Have you?" He asked.
"All the time, Brolly." She whispered.
"Do you regret letting me go?"
"A little sometimes, and then other times no. But maybe by the end of this month I will." Her bold honesty brought a wistful smile to his lips, but it wasn't at all malicious. It did make Sapphire feel uncomfortable. She could feel that light tingling in her gut, and it unnerved her. So she quickly dove at her question.
"You can't control your power." She stared him ruthlessly in the eyes, and watched him squirm a moment.
"False."
"You're a bad liar." She said. As he was about to argue, she deftly shoved a cracker in his mouth. He glared mutinously at her as he chewed and swallowed.
"That's not fair... I'm controlling it now, aren't--" He argued, but was cut mid-sentence as she graced him with another cracker. Giggling and very well proud of herself, Sapphire leaned back in her chair and nibbled on her own cracker. She watched thoughfully as Brolly's expression went from lighthearted to deeply pensive. And then he made a strange statement.
"He genuinely cares for her... for that human woman. I never would have thought so." He spoke so quietly that at first Sapphire didn't hear him. When she deciphered his words, they put her into a moment of stunned silence. She knew exactly whom he spoke of.
"He loves her, and she loves him." Sapphire stuttered as she nibbled on the end of a cracker. Brolly grabbed another cracker and chewed on it. "They would both die for one another." She whispered.
"That's a bond I can not understand." He responded, popping another cracker into his mouth.
"Neither can I." Sapphire said thoughtfully after carefully considering his words.
