Note: And on and on it goes… I actually had an interesting conversation via email with one of the other authors on here, talking about the rise and fall of the action in the story. Sayeh asked me how much of it would be action, how much would be drama, how much 'mush', and so forth. For my book, and speaking just for me, there's a lot more character development here because so much of what goes on in DBZ has had ages to get there. But now that someone new has been tossed into the mix, well, the ties that bind have to be established first. But fear not, readers… the fertilizer will be hitting the ventilator in the next chapter…
And for those of you who have asked if you can use Kurenai in one of your own stories, I am game for it, as long as you please send me a copy of the story before publishing it to the site.
Hurrah! The ENTIRE Playlist for 'And the Greatest of These' is now available on the Multimedia page of my website! Feel free to download and enjoy!
The chapter's lyrics are from the song "Insensitive" by Jann Arden.
Update: New poll on the AND THE GREATEST OF THESE forum in the DBZ category - "Is Kurenai a Mary Sue? Yes or no and why?" - Go vote!
And the Greatest of These
Chapter Thirteen
For a while, there was a break in Gohan's education as ChiChi finally gave him permission to train full-time, so for almost a month, Kurenai did not see either the Sons or Piccolo, who was busy training with Goku and Gohan. She was both grateful and sad, since while she appreciated the time off, she missed spending time with the Son family every day. It was the closest thing she'd had in a long time to having a family of her own.
Not one to sit around, however, she kept herself busy by working out alone or with the other Z Warriors in her training room, hanging out at the beach or the mall with Yamcha, Bulma, and Krillin, spending days quietly meditating with Tien, and, to everyone's surprise, often disappearing all day or all night with Vegeta. What was even more surprising, however, was where the two of them were going, for one night when Bulma and Yamcha stopped in at one of the nightclubs of West City, they found the Saiyan prince and the immortal already there, drawing a crowd on the dance floor.
"How the hell did she manage that!" Yamcha said in disbelief.
"Manage what?" Bulma shouted back over the music.
"She got Vegeta to dance! In a club!"
Bulma studied the couple, barely visible inside the mass of people swaying and dancing. "I think they look good together."
Then Vegeta and Kurenai left the dance floor to head toward the bar, and Yamcha and Bulma moved to meet them.
Wearing a sly grin, Yamcha snuck up behind Kurenai and slipped an arm around her waist. "Hey, pretty lady, how about a dance?"
She started and whirled around, her eyes narrowed, but as she recognized him and laughed, Yamcha pulled her out onto the dance floor before she, Vegeta, or Bulma could say anything.
A fast song was just starting, and her eyes met him with a challenge that was part playful, part sensual. "All right, then, hotshot, think you can keep up with me?"
Yamcha met her look for look. "You think you can keep up with me?"
Before she could answer, the song began in earnest, and the former bandit surprised her by leading her, twirling her, and nearly leaving her breathless as they danced. Kurenai, however, soon surprised him by effortlessly following him, and soon they were both turning every twist, every step, and every glance into a fast-paced, daring one-upmanship. In a matter of moments, the entire dance floor cleared to watch the pair.
Vegeta growled and was ready to stalk out onto the dance floor when Bulma stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"Oh, let him have one dance with her."
"She's my date tonight, not his. He's supposed to dance with you," he said in irritation.
My, my, my, Bulma thought in surprise and no small amount of amusement. So the cold Saiyan prince isn't as cold as he thinks he is. "Odd."
The prince looked at her in confusion. "What's odd?"
She shrugged. "I never would have thought you the jealous type."
He opened his mouth to protest, but as he watched Yamcha dance with Kurenai, he felt a bitter ache twist inside him.
One lazy Saturday morning, the ringing of the phone woke Kurenai, and she rolled over to answer it with a sleepy 'hello'.
"Kurenai, sorry, did I wake you up?" Gohan said apologetically.
"Don't worry, I had to get up anyway," she said with a yawn, sitting up. "So how are things?"
"Well, Mom told me to give you a call and see if you wanted to come to dinner at our house tonight." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "And please come, Mom's got me doing homework until it's coming out of my ears. Even on Saturday! If you come, she'll let me stop."
She smiled. "Sure, who else is going to be there? And what time does your mom want me there?"
She heard Gohan calling to his parents, then he came back on the line with, "Krillin's coming too, and Mom says to be here at around five-thirty."
"Thanks, Gohan, and tell your mother thank you for thinking of me. I'll see you guys at five-thirty," Kurenai laughed as Gohan hung up. Then she fell back down across her bed with a loud sigh. "Well, that gives me the day to straighten up the place and time to do some last-minute shopping." She was glad to be having dinner with friends, but then she realized that she had no way to the Son house. She was reaching for the phone when it rang again.
When she answered, she heard Gohan grumbling something at his mother. "Sorry, Dad told me to tell you that he'll pick you up at five. Hold on a second." Kurenai could hear ChiChi in the background, and then Goku came on the line. "Hey, Kurenai, glad you're coming tonight! Listen, ChiChi says that if you want, you can crash here tonight and then go back tomorrow morning."
"Great, thank her again for me. I guess it depends on how late the partying goes on. Then again, if you're tired, I can always ask Krillin for a lift."
"No problem, I'll see you at your door at five."
"See you later," she told him and hung up. A frisson of excitement rushed through her, and as she lay back down, her feet on her headboard, she had to admit that part of it was because she would be seeing Goku. She had not really spent time with him since the day at the lake, and she realized that she missed him. Groaning aloud, she rolled over, buried her face in a pillow, and then swung her legs off the bed.
It was a good thing she was busy all day, since she couldnot stop thinking of the Saiyan the whole time. By a quarter to five, dressed in a pale blue blouse and sarong skirt, she paced around her living room, recently cleaned from a fit of frantic energy, unable to sit still.
Why am I so nervous? It's just Gohan, ChiChi, Krillin and Goku…
The doorbell rang, startling her out of her anxiety. "Hello! Anybody home?"
Goku stuck his head around the door.
"You ready to go? Wow, you look nice!"
Nice? Who am I kidding, she looks incredible… why do I feel so tongue-tied, it's just Kurenai…
She smiled shyly and came outside. Goku wore a blue t-shirt and black jeans with his feet in sneakers, and she stared at the handsome Saiyan.
He looks fantastic… she thought. That color looks great on him… oh, God, Kurenai, get hold of yourself!
"Looking good yourself, Goku!" she grinned. After she locked the door, he took her hand and Instant Transmissioned them to the Son house.
By the time they arrived, Krillin and Gohan were helping ChiChi set up a large table outside for the food. As they appeared, they all looked up and waved.
"It's great to see you, Kurenai!" Gohan called, pausing from setting out plates long enough to give her a quick hug. She giggled and gave his shoulder a friendly squeeze, then came over for hugs from ChiChi and Krillin.
"You're looking terrific!" Krillin was staring at her in appreciation, and ChiChi nodded as well. "Yes, you look like life is treating you well." Kurenai grinned, and began helping ChiChi bring out the food as Goku expertly juggled five chairs. ChiChi scolded her husband as Kurenai, Gohan, and Krillin laughed, and they sat down to enjoy ChiChi's excellent cooking.
Krillin and Kurenai were talking about another shopping trip in West City, Gohan was telling his mother about his progress with his schoolwork, but Goku was silent, watching ChiChi and Kurenai. Looking at his wife warmed his heart, but looking at Kurenai… She was laughing at Krillin's impressions of his martial arts mentor, Master Roshi, and Goku couldn't look away from her face. She's so lovely when she smiles…
Gohan asked his dad about increasing the level of their training with Piccolo, and Goku tore his gaze away from her to smile at his son and wife. "Well, we're all still discovering our limits, Gohan, so for now, we're still trying to pace ourselves. Besides, you're struggling just to keep up, remember? We have time, son, so don't worry."
Then Kurenai and Krillin joined their conversation, and soon all five were discussing the stoic Namek.
"Well, I for one think Piccolo happens to be the best fighter among us, other than Goku, that is," Krillin said firmly.
"Not to mention he's a really good teacher," Kurenai added. "I've learned so much from him, and I heard that he also taught Gohan, too!"
"You know, I think Piccolo really should find a girlfriend," Gohan remarked, and Goku choked on his dinner.
"Um, Gohan, I don't really think that Piccolo is the kind of guy to, well, get involved with a woman," he said after finally swallowing his food. The conversation turned to other topics after that, and after dinner, the guys were sent inside to wash dishes as Kurenai and ChiChi relaxed outside and watched the sun set.
▲▼▲
"Thank you again for dinner, ChiChi," Kurenai sighed happily as she stretched out in the garden. "I hadn't realized how much I'd missed all of you until this evening."
"Any time," ChiChi assured her as she also sat. "Besides, how else can I bribe you into teaching Gohan again?"
The two of them laughed, then they quieted and watched the twilight slowly settle on the earth.
"ChiChi, may I ask you something?"
ChiChi turned to look at the immortal, puzzled by her serious tone.
"Sure, what is it?"
Kurenai paused, watching the stars come out one by one. "I was wondering… why is it so important to you that Gohan becomes a scholar?"
The other woman shrugged. "If the world's at peace, then there's no need for him to fight. He can help the world in other ways."
"True enough. But you have to admit, he's also a powerful warrior, even at nine. Isn't there a way to accept that he can be both? A fighter in times of war and a scholar in times of peace?"
"You must have been hiding for a long time, Kurenai," ChiChi said with a hint of disdain. "It seems like the Earth is always being threatened by some problem or another, and Goku and the others always go rushing off to deal with it. Since I can't wait for peace, he'll just have to start now and let someone else deal with it."
Suddenly it all made sense to Kurenai. "Ohhh, I see…"
"What's that mean?"
Kurenai looked thoughtful as she watched a pair of birds take flight into the sunset. "Gohan told me once that his father died fighting a warrior named… Raditz, I think it was, when Gohan was just a child. A year later, Goku was brought back to life by the Dragonballs. And then when Vegeta first came to the Earth, he and his partner killed Piccolo, Tien, Chiaotzu, and Yamcha. From what I remember, they nearly killed Goku and Gohan, too."
Suddenly she turned to look ChiChi in the eyes. "That… that's what you're afraid of… you're afraid of losing Goku… and Gohan. That's why you don't want them to fight."
"That's not true," ChiChi said hotly. "I just don't want Gohan becoming a muscle-bound fighter like his father and his friends."
Kurenai looked at ChiChi with something approaching disbelief, then all of a sudden she started to laugh. "Then… then why in the world did you marry Goku in the first place! Wouldn't you imagine that any son of his would take after him?"
"Well…" ChiChi did not know what to say to that, so Kurenai went on.
"Look, ChiChi… Gohan's not my son and I would never presume to tell you how to raise your own boy. But… as a friend… let me say this. In the time that I've gotten to know Gohan, I've learned a lot about him. Not just that he's extraordinarily intelligent, or that he's strong, but… unlike Goku, your son doesn't fight because he wants to. He fights because he has to. Don't you see? He's fighting to save the world so that he actually can grow up and live a normal life."
ChiChi was silent. Is… is she right? I know that Gohan doesn't always go chasing after battles like his father does…
▲▼▲
As Goku scrubbed the dishes, Krillin dried them, and Gohan put them away, Gohan looked out the window and saw Kurenai and his mother talking in the garden. "When I grow up, I'm going to marry a girl just like Kurenai," he announced, and Krillin and Goku laughed.
"Is that a fact? And why are you going to get married?" Goku asked his son.
"Well, she'll be pretty, and smart, and she'll make me smile like Kurenai does."
"You know, Gohan, it takes more than just looks, brains, and a smile to make a relationship work," Krillin said sagely. "It takes love. Like your mom and dad, for example. Goku didn't marry ChiChi just because of how she looks or because she's a good cook. Well, maybe that last fact helps a lot. No, he loves her because she makes him happy, she makes him feel strong, and because he thinks she's the most beautiful woman in the world. You can see it in his eyes when he looks at her."
Suddenly, the boy was reminded of a quote that Kurenai had taught him the day he had asked her about the nature of intimacy.
"Anything less than mad, passionate, extraordinary love is a waste of time. There are too many mediocre things in life and love should not be one of them."
Gohan looked at his father, smiling out the window at ChiChi, who was smiling back and reminding him to hurry up with the dishes, and watching Goku, Gohan began to realize just what the quote really meant.
"Is that the look you mean?" he asked Krillin, and the monk nodded. "Then how come he looks at Kurenai the same way?" Gohan asked, and Goku dropped a plate, which shattered all over the floor. To hide his emotions, the Saiyan knelt down and carefully cleaned up the fragments.
Krillin looked at Gohan, then at Goku, then back at Gohan. "What do you mean, he looks that way at Kurenai?"
"He does. I saw him the day we all went to the lake. He was looking at her so intensely that you could almost see it like a laser beam in the air! And he had this kinda weird look on his face that he sometimes gets when he's with Mom. What was really strange was that Vegeta had the same expression too."
Oh, no… Goku groaned inwardly as he tossed out the pieces. It hurt that Gohan had caught him looking at Kurenai, but it nearly broke his heart to hear that Vegeta had been doing the same thing.
Krillin turned to his best friend with a serious expression. "Goku, is this true?"
"No! Well, not the way that Gohan makes it sound," Goku stammered, not looking at Krillin as he stood.
"So… you wanna tell me what he's talking about?"
"Wow, look!" Gohan pointed toward the garden, and Goku looked outside to see Kurenai laughing as a butterfly landed on her outstretched hand. As he watched her, his heart aching at her happiness and beauty, his feelings were clearly visible.
Krillin heaved a deep sigh. I guess that answers my question.
"Gohan, I want you to do me a favor. Don't tell your mom about any of this."
"Why shouldn't I tell Mom?"
"Well, you see, I think this is something your dad needs to get straight in his own mind. When you get mixed up, sometimes you just want to be left alone until you find your way again."
"Really? You mean even my dad gets like that?"
Krillin nodded. "Yup. Your dad might be the strongest guy in the world, but he still gets confused just like the rest of us."
"But why shouldn't I talk to Mom about this? Wouldn't she want to help him?"
Goku finally spoke. "When you do your homework and come to a problem you don't understand, what do you do?"
"I try and figure it out myself, and then I ask for help if I still can't do it," Gohan said slowly.
"Do you write just anything down for that problem?"
"No, I don't write anything until I know what the answer is."
"Well, this is like a homework problem that I don't understand, Gohan. And I don't want to upset your mother if I can figure it out myself," Goku said softly.
"Okay," Gohan said slowly. "I won't say anything, Daddy."
"Thanks, Gohan," his father replied, lightly resting his hand on Gohan's shoulder. Then Goku glanced at Krillin and turned his eyes quickly to Gohan's room, and they left the kitchen, walked into Gohan's bedroom, and closed the door.
Krillin sat on a chair, leaning his arms on the back of the chair. For once, he did not know what to say or even how to begin as he stared at his friend. "I'm surprised at you, Goku," he said at last, his face grave. "How long has this been going on?"
"Nothing is going on, Krillin! Jeez, of all people, I thought you would believe me!" Goku said with dismay.
"You should have seen the look on your face, then, when you looked at Kurenai just now. You might as well wear a sign around your neck saying that you have the hots for her." Goku was looking at him in horror. Not Krillin, too! Has it… has it really been that obvious to everyone except me? Oh no… what if Kurenai has seen it? What if ChiChi has!
"You don't think ChiChi knows, do you? I mean, about, well, all of this?"
"No, I don't think she does. Kurenai doesn't seem to be aware of it either. But really, Goku, what's going on with you two?"
Goku slumped against the wall. "I swear to you, Krillin, on our friendship. I have done nothing wrong. I have never spoken to her or touched her in any way other than as a friend. But… she's so beautiful, so kind, and so sad, and when she looks at me, it's like…" He tried to describe it, but words eluded him. How can I explain what even I don't understand?
It was not what was said that worried the monk, but what was not said. Never spoken to, never touched, never acted… but not never thought. Krillin came up to Goku and looked up at his friend.
"Goku, you're my best friend. We've known each other for more years than we can count. I remember when you first met ChiChi. I remember when I was your best man. And all that time, no matter how many gorgeous women were around, every single one of them knew that your heart belonged to ChiChi. Just… just be careful, okay? I don't want you, or ChiChi, or Kurenai to get hurt."
Goku moved away toward the window and looked outside. He could not see the two women from here, but he could hear their happy chatter. It felt like someone had his heart in a vise, and he leaned his forehead against the cool glass.
It hurt Krillin that Goku had such a hard time confiding even in him, but in a way, he could understand how hard this was for his friend. "I hate to ask this, Goku, but… are you in love with Kurenai? Even if she doesn't know?"
The blunt question nearly destroyed Goku's control, and at first, he could not make himself answer.
Two voices echoed in his mind.
"Oh, look guys, up there in the tree! A mommy and a daddy and a little baby, just like our family!"
"For as long as I can remember, I've been on my own, frightened, angry, hiding in the shadows. I've been running the whole time, from everyone… and from myself."
"Goku, I just… I just want to know that you're not getting involved in this for… the wrong reasons."
"I wished that I could hold such a powerful, blazing light in my hand, and feel its energy through me."
Then as Goku turned back to face him, Krillin was taken aback at the turmoil and tears in the Saiyan's dark eyes.
"I don't know, Krillin. I swear to God, I feel like I don't know anything anymore."
Tormented by his emotions, the Saiyan weakly slid down the length of the wall to sit on the floor, his arms wrapped around his legs and his forehead resting on his knees. The silence lengthened uncomfortably, then he heard Krillin's footsteps as the monk approached and sat down beside him.
"Don't tell her. Please, Krillin, don't say a word."
"I won't tell ChiChi a thing, Goku," Krillin promised, but Goku shook his head.
"Not ChiChi. Please don't tell Kurenai. I… I need to figure out what's going on. And I don't want to worry anybody." Then he ruefully smiled. Other than me, that is.
They came out just as ChiChi and Kurenai came inside, and they both smiled at him. Krillin could see the tension in his friend's body, and he turned to Kurenai.
"By the way, Goku mentioned that you might need a lift home. Just let me know when you want to head out and I'll give you a ride back to Capsule Corp."
"Thanks, Krillin, that's sweet of you," she teased him, "but yes, I'd love a ride. I'm sure Goku and ChiChi want to spend some of this evening alone." Because she was looking at Krillin, she didn't see the Saiyan's face go pale. "We may as well head back now, give the two lovebirds some private time," she grinned, as ChiChi stuck her tongue out at her. "Thanks for inviting me, you guys, it was great! I'll have to invite you all over some time!" She hugged everyone and left with Krillin, Gohan winking at his friend.
After they left and Gohan went back to his room to study, ChiChi turned to Goku with a smile on her face. But as she was about to speak, Goku stopped her with a finger to her lips, then he reached out and pulled ChiChi close. He wrapped his arms around his wife and held her tightly, and he did notanswer when ChiChi asked what was wrong. Soon she stopped asking questions and simply relaxed in her husband's arms. Her eyes closed in bliss and she snuggled against Goku's larger frame, so she did not see the pain in his eyes.
▲▼▲
On the flight home, Krillin took advantage of the distance to ask Kurenai something. "Hey, Kurenai, um, listen… can you answer a question for me?"
"Sure, if I can. What do you want to know?"
A hundred questions filled his mind. What's going on with you and Goku? Is it true you really slept with Vegeta? What happens if you should die and you don't? He chose not to ask those, but instead one that was a little more appropriate.
"Well, you see, I was in this relationship with a girl called Maron. She was… gorgeous, and funny, and sweet, but a bit of a ditz sometimes. A lot like you, actually, except for the ditz part. Anyway, I finally realized that I didn't deserve a girl like that, and I broke up with her, and she was outta there like a bat out of hell. But I still really miss her sometimes, and I'm wondering if I made the right decision."
"In all honesty, I've never been in love, but I'll try to answer that from a woman's perspective. From what I've seen, Krillin, you're just as sweet and funny as she is, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder." He grimaced at that one, but stayed quiet.
Kurenai saw his grimace and frowned at him. "Hey, not every woman wants a guy who's six feet, with blond hair, blue eyes, a fast car and a big wallet. I'd take fidelity over a Ferrari any day. But why do you miss her? Is it because you were used to having someone there and now there isn't? Or is it something special about Maron in particular?"
Krillin knew that he had to be honest with her. "Partly it's just me being lonely, yeah. But part of me misses how I felt when I looked at her, or when she smiled at me. That's what hurts. I mean, let's be honest, I don't have tons of money or dashing good looks, so she could hardly have chosen me for that," he said bitterly.
"Maybe she chose you for you," Kurenai said simply. "Look at it this way. Here's a girl who draws money and power and handsome dorks every minute of every day, and she chooses to date a humble, serious monk. Maybe you were too… real for her, unlike the guys she's used to. And a lot of women can't handle what they're not used to. They'd much rather stick with what they know, even when it's rotten, rather than risk getting hurt on something unfamiliar."
"I guess you're right," Krillin said. "But what was I thinking when I broke up with her? All the guys thought I was nuts! Yamcha thought I was a total loser for getting a girl like that and then dumping her."
"What did the women think?"
"They all said that it was for the best, and I deserved better than Maron."
"And they were right," she said firmly. "A lot of people are idiots when it comes to love, Krillin, and most of them look for a pretty face or a nice body. It's not until later that they realize that trust, honesty, caring, and love are more important. You did the right thing, and ChiChi and Bulma are right. You deserve better."
"I doubt that," Kurenai heard Krillin sigh quietly, and she could tell that he still did not believe her.
"Would you have been happy knowing that every guy in the world was watching for you to screw up so they could have a shot at her? Or been willing to sacrifice what you deserve in a relationship just to make her happy? I don't think so."
Krillin was silent for a while, then Kurenai asked him a question of her own.
"Why do you insist on comparing yourself to other guys? Why can't you just be you?"
"If you hung out with guys like Goku and Yamcha all day, you'd know the answer to that. They're everything that I'm not," he said sadly.
"Okay, lemme get this straight. You want to be like them, right? A Saiyan who can't see beyond his next meal sometimes and a guy who can't pay attention to his own girlfriend even though she's gorgeous?"
Krillin raised his eyebrows at that, and she hurriedly went on. "Don't get me wrong, they're my friends too, but tall, dark, strong, and handsome doesn't always mean great relationship. Hell, look at how many times they drive their women crazy!"
"Would… would you go out with someone like me?" he asked her quickly, before his courage failed him.
"Would it be against your ethics as a monk to date? I'm not avoiding the question, I just don't want to mess up your life."
"Well, Master Roshi let me date Maron, mainly because he had a crush on her, I think. I don't know. Maybe I'm just meant to be alone my whole life."
"No, you're not, and stop thinking that. And for the record, if I didn't think I'd get you in trouble, yes, I'd go out with someone like you. So there." She stuck her tongue out at him, but softened her retort with a smile.
"One day you're going to find the right woman, the one who will look at you and go, 'There's the kind of man I want, honest and dependable and cute and kind and funny, who would treat me like his queen.' And it'll be another gorgeous woman, who's not so hung up on herself that she can't see the guy in front of her. You'll knock yourself out making her happy, and if she has half a brain, she'll do the same for you. And I just hope I'm there to see it when it happens."
Krillin thought that one over, and he wished with all his heart that it would come true. "You really think so?" he asked hopefully, afraid to believe what she was telling him.
"Yes, I really think so. But a word of advice – if Yamcha offers you dating tips, don't listen to him," she said with a smile. Krillin laughed, his heart feeling a lot lighter than it had in a long time.
"So how come you haven't fallen in love yet? I'll bet hundreds of guys have proposed to you!" he asked her, but he saw her flinch at his question. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"It's just… well, I've been around a long time, Krillin, and I can't imagine loving somebody knowing that I'll stay young and healthy forever while he grows old and dies. I… I don't think I could take it, really. I've dated lots and lots of times, been really close to some guys, but in the end, it's easier on us both not to get involved."
"God, that sounds so… lonely!" he said honestly. "It's bad enough for me, but at least I'm only living one lifetime! You're saying you've stayed single this whole time because you're afraid of getting hurt? That's ridiculous. You're pretty, and smart, and warm and caring, and I think you're a fool if you think that a guy wouldn't love to be with you just because he'll age and you won't. If it were me, I'd make every moment I had with you count, not spend the whole time regretting that I'd die and you wouldn't."
"Then that makes you a rare and special man, Krillin," she said with a sad sigh. "Not every man thinks like you. The only reason they're glad I stay this way is because of, well, what most guys usually want from a pretty girl. They're not interested in how it feels for me."
"Well, one day, YOU'RE going to fall in love, and you'll see that I'm right. You'll love him regardless of immortality or mortality, and he'll do anything for you, and you for him. I'd pair you with someone with… Goku's heart, Piccolo's seriousness, my good looks, and Vegeta's attitude problem. And I just want to be invited to the wedding when it happens, so I can say I told you so."
She laughed at that one, and hoped that Krillin was right. But she thought of Vegeta and his careless dismissal of her, and she thought her heart would break.
To be continued...