Chapter 26
Fruition
Eighteen and Krillin had mutually decided to curb their conversation until after the get-together at Bulma's. They sailed above the ocean, the city coming into view as the sun began to set. Krillin changed into more relaxing clothes, commenting Eighteen had looked better than him. She rolled her eyes.
"I don't think that takes too much effort, you know?" Krillin gave a fake laugh in response, and they soon left after that.
The lights of the city dazzled bright, dancing amongst each other. Eighteen could spot people walking together, some of them just couples, others families. She wondered what it'd be like to belong to a family.
"There," Krillin said, causing her to forget her thought. He pointed to the giant building of Capsule Corps. It was domed-shaped, and couldn't be missed. Krillin began to fly lower and lower with Eighteen trailing him until they landed on the walkway leading up the sliding doors of Capsule Corps. Eighteen held her breath, legs suddenly feeling like cinderblocks had been tied to them. What did she care if Krillin's friend didn't like her? She heard footsteps departing from her having not noticed Krillin begin his trek to the large building.
'Here we go…' Her feet finally had some life in them, and she followed him.
The sliding doors before them opened up, leading them to a wide, tiled hallway. Already Eighteen could hear the faint sound of chattering mixed with a bit of laughter, and she unconsciously gulped what little saliva was in her mouth. The sound of her feet clicking against the tile reminded her of a clock on a wall ticking away in a dead-quiet room. It demanded one's attention. She rubbed her palms quickly on her jeans. They'd suddenly felt sweaty and palmy.
The two young boys she'd met earlier in the park came running from one of the other hallways as they laughed rowdily, their voices echoing and bouncing off the plaster walls. They halted to a stop when they saw Krillin and Eighteen approaching. Goten's hands covered his mouth as he held in a giggle, and Trunks placed his hands behind his back, trying to appear considerate and welcoming.
"Hey, guys! Welcome!" Trunks started to walk towards them with Goten following him. "So glad you guys could make it."
Krillin flashed a quick smile. "Hi, Trunks. We'll have to thank your mom for inviting us." He glanced at Eighteen, and then back to the gray-haired boy. "Oh, by the way, I don't think I formally introduced you two to Eighteen."
Goten shook his head. "No, not really, but we met in our own way. Right, Trunks?" Trunks shot the younger boy a look, but turned his head back quickly to look at Krillin.
"We'd be happy to meet her, Krillin." He offered his hand to Eighteen. "My name is Trunks."
Eighteen glanced at his hand, hesitating before accepting his handshake. The boy's hand was smaller, but was firm and confident as it grasped hers. "Eighteen," was all she said back as she released Trunks' hand. Goten then stepped in front of Trunks, and offered his hand, a large, goofy smile appearing on his face.
"And my name's Goten!" Eighteen took his hand as well. "You sure are pretty," he added as Eighteen shook his hand. The tiniest of smiles grazed Eighteen's face before she regained her composure again.
Eighteen and Krillin had mutually decided to curb their conversation until after the get-together at Bulma's. They sailed above the ocean, the city coming into view as the sun began to set. Krillin changed into more relaxing clothes, commenting Eighteen had looked better than him. She rolled her eyes.
"I don't think that takes too much effort, you know?" Krillin gave a fake laugh in response, and they soon left after that.
The lights of the city dazzled bright, dancing amongst each other. Eighteen could spot people walking together, some of them just couples, others families. She wondered what it'd be like to belong to a family.
"There," Krillin said, causing her to forget her thought. He pointed to the giant building of Capsule Corps. It was domed-shaped, and couldn't be missed. Krillin began to fly lower and lower with Eighteen trailing him until they landed on the walkway leading up the sliding doors of Capsule Corps. Eighteen held her breath, legs suddenly feeling like cinderblocks had been tied to them. What did she care if Krillin's friend didn't like her? She heard footsteps departing from her having not noticed Krillin begin his trek to the large building.
'Here we go…' Her feet finally had some life in them, and she followed him.
The sliding doors before them opened up, leading them to a wide, tiled hallway. Already Eighteen could hear the faint sound of chattering mixed with a bit of laughter, and she unconsciously gulped what little saliva was in her mouth. The sound of her feet clicking against the tile reminded her of a clock on a wall ticking away in a dead-quiet room. It demanded one's attention. She rubbed her palms quickly on her jeans. They'd suddenly felt sweaty and palmy.
The two young boys she'd met earlier in the park came running from one of the other hallways as they laughed rowdily, their voices echoing and bouncing off the plaster walls. They halted to a stop when they saw Krillin and Eighteen approaching. Goten's hands covered his mouth as he held in a giggle, and Trunks placed his hands behind his back, trying to appear considerate and welcoming.
"Hey, guys! Welcome!" Trunks started to walk towards them with Goten following him. "So glad you guys could make it."
Krillin flashed a quick smile. "Hi, Trunks. We'll have to thank your mom for inviting us." He glanced at Eighteen, and then back to the gray-haired boy. "Oh, by the way, I don't think I formally introduced you two to Eighteen."
Goten shook his head. "No, not really, but we met in our own way. Right, Trunks?" Trunks shot the younger boy a look, but turned his head back quickly to look at Krillin.
"We'd be happy to meet her, Krillin." He offered his hand to Eighteen. "My name is Trunks."
Eighteen glanced at his hand, hesitating before accepting his handshake. The boy's hand was smaller, but was firm and confident as it grasped hers. "Eighteen," was all she said back as she released Trunks' hand. Goten then stepped in front of Trunks, and offered his hand, a large, goofy smile appearing on his face.
"And my name's Goten!" Eighteen took his hand as well. "You sure are pretty," he added as Eighteen shook his hand. The tiniest of smiles grazed Eighteen's face before she regained her composure again.
"Eighteen." Goten released her hand, and stared at her. She stared back, confused at what to do next. Clearing her throat, she hoped Krillin would get the hint for him to do something to distract the young memorized boy.
"Um, Goten, Trunks, it was so nice of you guys to introduce yourselves," Krillin began. "Where is everyone?" Goten directed his attention to the short Z-Fighter.
"Everyone's out in the backyard! Trunks' mom is getting things ready, though. I'm so excited. I'm starving!" The young fighter's hands went to his stomach, emphasizing his raging appetite. Trunks nodded his head furiously in agreement before tagging Goten roughly. He ran down the hallway as a black-headed boy chased after him, yelling random phrases that Krillin couldn't make out. Eighteen just watched as the two boys disappeared behind a corner.
"That Goten boy," she started off, "he looks just like Goku." Krillin began to walk down the hall with her following.
"Yep, he's Goku's youngest son after Gohan."
"Goku's? But how? He…He died, didn't he?"
"Oh, yeah, he died alright, but Chi-Chi became pregnant a little before the Cell Games, and then gave birth to him about nine months after Cell was defeated." Krillin stroked his chin. "I'm pretty sure Goku had no idea Chi-Chi was pregnant."
Eighteen remained silent, letting Krillin's words sink in little by little.
"But anyway, yeah, he's very similar to Goku. Fun-loving, quirky. It's as if they are the same person."
The pace the two were walking at made Eighteen uneasy. She mumbled under her breath, not loud enough for Krillin to hear. The voices she had heard before were becoming clearer and clearer. Before she could mentally prepare herself, they arrived at the doors leading to the backyard. Eighteen's heart quickened, and she swore sweat was beginning to collect on her forehead. Krillin looked up at her.
"Are you ready?" She held his eyes for a moment, and then nodded her head. Krillin's hand reached for the doorknob, but as he did the door swung wildly open, letting the bright light of the sun momentarily blinding the two as they stepped back instinctively. Eighteen blinked rapidly, trying to make out the silhouette in front of her, and instantly recognized who it was by the hair.
"Baldy. So nice of you to finally show up here," said a rough voice. "And look who you've brought with you." A sarcastic chuckle left the stranger's voice, and Eighteen sense tension rise immediately. Krillin placed his hands on his hips as if chastising a child.
"Vegeta. It's nice to see you, too. This is Eighteen. I'm sure you're familiar with her." Vegeta stepped towards them, letting his muscular frame enter into their views. A white t-shirt graced his upper body, and he casually wore a pair of blue jeans with it.
"Yes, the android," he snarled. He showed his teeth in a warning, and Eighteen noticed the large muscles of his arms tense.
'I can remember the cracking of his arm under my leg.'
Vegeta followed her blue eyes, becoming noticeably annoyed.
"Is there something on my arm, android?" Eighteen blinked.
"No."
"Good. We'll have to continue where we left off one day." A black shoe stepped towards Eighteen, closing the distance. "I think we both know how it'd end."
"Is that a threat?" Vegeta smirked.
"Take it how you want, android." Eighteen furrowed her eyes.
"Vegeta! There you are," came a shrill, high-pitched voice. Vegeta became rigid, as if being caught doing something he wasn't suppose to do. Another figure entered from the blinding light outside wearing a silky red dress that just about covered their knees, and wore blue high heels to go along with it. Her blue hair made her easy to spot in a crowd of people as did her attitude and voice. "What are you doing? I asked you to go get the appetizers." Bulma's eyes remained fixed on the Saiyan, unaware of Eighteen and Krillin's presence. When Vegeta didn't answer, she finally turned towards the couple, gasping at her rudeness. "Krillin and Eighteen! I'm so sorry, I didn't realize you were here!"
"Yeah," Krillin said softly. "Well, someone else did." Vegeta's eyes darted towards him, and he gulped. Bulma crossed her arms.
"Vegeta, what have you been doing? Have you been bugging Krillin and Eighteen?"
"Woman, I haven't done anything," Vegeta protested.
"Oh, please. I live with you!" She turned to Eighteen. "Eighteen, I'm sorry. Ignore him, he is all talk sometimes."
"Woman! How dare you talk about me as if I weren't here!"
"Shut up, Vegeta, and re-introduce yourself to Eighteen properly." Vegeta glared at his wife, his mouth forming the faintest pout before his eyes shifted back to Eighteen. He raised his hand towards her, fingers outstretched, but turned his head away in embarrassment. The blonde cyborg watched in amusement as the prince struggled to contain his emotions, but came to grasp his hand in return. Vegeta's fingers curled around her hand, tightening for a quick moment with some force. Even in just his grip, Eighteen could sense he had grown stronger since their battle.
"My apologies…Eighteen," Vegeta said through clenched teeth.
"Thanks." Eighteen released his hand.
The prince said nothing as he crossed his arms again. Bulma touched his arm with her hand.
"See, that wasn't so difficult was it?" She turned to Eighteen and Krillin. "It's so wonderful to see you two!" Extending her arms, she bent to give a hug to Krillin, turning to Eighteen afterwards before embracing her as well. Eighteen stiffened upon contact, her arms slowly coming to rest on the woman's back in a shy attempt to return the hug. Bulma released her, hands gripping Eighteen's shoulders. "You are just so beautiful, has anyone ever told you that?"
Eighteen stumbled over her words, a blush forming across her face.
"Oh, look at you! Krillin's got it lucky, that's for sure." Bulma released Eighteen. "Well, please, join us outside! It seems like everyone's been asking when you'd be getting here." She strolled past them, arm locked with Vegeta's as they walked down the corridor to, presumably, the kitchen. Eighteen's eyes followed them, confused and baffled.
"These…These are your friends, Krillin?" The fighter laughed.
"Ha, yeah, just wait until you meet the rest of them," he said as he walked out onto the patio. Eighteen turned, but lost his figure in the light. She could hear voices yell out Krillin's name in surprise. The door closed before her, wind blowing into her face as it did. She raised a hand to comb back some of her hair behind her hair. Reaching for the doorknob again, the metal felt cool amongst the warm skin of her hand. She closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing. She twisted the knob, metal scrapping over metal as she pushed the door open to step into a new, unchartered world.
The patio was grand, surrounded by grass, trees, bushes, and a well-kept flower bed. Two large tables were prepared with plates, utensils, and were draped in a magenta-like color. Eighteen couldn't quite tell which was brighter: the sun or the draping on the tables as she scanned the view before her. A covering sat above the tables, providing shade and protection from the harsh rays of the sun above, and a few stand-alone chairs were spread across the patio, some already being used by Krillin's friends. A robot holding a tray of lemonade rolled amongst the dispersed group, asking over and over again if anyone wanted a glass of the cool drink. It spotted Eighteen at the door, and rolled over to her, balancing the silver tray with great ease.
"Hello Miss. Would you like some lemonade," it asked Eighteen in a pleasant digital voice. Eighteen blinked, taken aback by the robot. Feeling her mouth dry, she nodded her response, and the robot lowered the tray towards her. She picked up a glass.
"Thank you." The robot said its goodbyes, and rolled back into the greater part of the patio. Eighteen brought the glass of lemonade to her lips, letting the drink cool her throat. It left the smallest hint of bitterness in its aftertaste, but was sweet to the first drip. Glancing at the top of the drink, Eighteen spotted half of a lemon floating amongst the melting ice.
"Eighteen! Hi!" She glanced up from her drink, and saw Gohan running towards her, arm stretched above his head waving at her. He still looked the same when Eighteen had last seen him on Kami's Lookout, but he was now taller, and his voice had gotten a bit huskier. The hair on his head was still black as ever, but had been cut into a short spiky trim.
'I still can't believe this was the boy who defeated Cell,' Eighteen thought. Gohan finally reached her, and smiled at her. She had to look up at him.
"Eighteen! Gosh, wow, it's so great to see you again!"
"Hi, Gohan. It's nice to see you, too." Gohan nodded, still smiling.
"I'm guessing Krillin brought you along?" Eighteen nodded. "Awesome! Well, we're all so glad you're here. You're one of us now, so please, make yourself at home!" He embraced her in a hug, and Eighteen stiffened once again, but more out of concern for dropping her freshly made drink.
"Thank you, Gohan. I-I really appreciate it." He gave her a small wink, and headed inside.
'Wow, all of them are just so nice.' Eighteen glanced back down at her drink again. 'Why would they be so nice to me after all I've done, though?' She brought the lemonade back up to her lips, sipping the liquid slowly. Her feet began to walk towards the center of the patio slowly.
Gohan entered the large kitchen, his nostrils filling up with the sweet smelling aromas swirling about. He could already faintly feel his stomach rumble in hunger and protest. The swish of the water from the kitchen sink swelled in his ears. Bulma pumped some soap into her hands before lathering them. Suds sprouted up contact with her wet skin, and were soon washed away in the running water. She turned the faucet off and washed her hands with a white towel, noticing Gohan only when she turned around.
"Oh, hey, Gohan. Did you need anything?" A robot entered the kitchen, stopping in front of the oven to check on the cooking food. Gohan just watched in amusement.
"No, I was just checking to make sure you didn't need any help or what not."
"Well, that's sweet of you! I think we've got it all settled, though," Bulma replied.
"A few of the robots will be bringing some of the food out since Vegeta was being a stubborn ass." She rolled her eyes. Gohan stifled a laugh, hiding his mouth behind his hand.
"Yeah, they sure seem like lifesavers. Did you say 'hi' to Eighteen?"
"I sure did. She is acting like a fish out of water, but I suppose that was expected." She began moving about in the kitchen, checking the oven one more time. "And then, of course, Vegeta didn't help, but he'll have to get over what happened a few years ago. Men can be so damn sensitive." She straightened up, hands on her hips. "You think her and Krillin make a good couple?" Gohan said nothing, and bit the inside of his cheek.
"I think so. Krillin really does seem to care for her. You should have seen him after Cell had spit her up. He wouldn't leave her side."
"Yeah, that sounds like Krillin. I'm just so glad he's gotten over that dumb bimbo of a girlfriend he had. What was her name again…? Maron? Yes, that was it. Gosh, she was so terrible for him." Bulma shook her head in a disapproving way. "As long as Krillin is happy, I'll support him no matter what." Gohan smiled at her words.
"Yes, same. He really does deserve to be happy. I know he was hit pretty hard with Dad's death."
"I think we all were, Gohan…"
Silence floated between the two.
"Well," Bulma continued, "what are we doing here being all sad? Come on, let's get back outside and join everyone else."
"Wow, Krillin, it's so weird to see you with a girl again."
"What is that suppose to mean!?" Yamcha tried to cover his tracks.
"Sorry, I mean, it's just nice to see you with a girl! You know, man, after Maron and all." He released a weird laugh. Krillin stared at him.
"It's so nice of you to think I can't get a girl in the first place," he said in a deadpan voice.
"What!? No, I don't mean it like that," Yamcha argued. Krillin rolled his eyes, and brought his glass of water to his lips. "Hey, man, I'm sure Eighteen is great. As long as you're happy, then we're all happy." He nudged Krillin's shoulder. Krillin smiled in response.
"Thanks, Yamcha. I appreciate it." He turned his head, eyes searching for Eighteen. "Speaking of Eighteen, have you seen her?"
"To be honest, no. I did her when you guys walked in. Maybe she's just out conversing with someone?"
"Yeah, perhaps. I'm going to go look for her really quick." Yamcha nodded.
Eighteen stared at the sky, mesmerized by the quickness of which the clouds were moving. She'd given her empty glass to a robot who was making rounds amongst the large group of people, and hadn't talked to anyone since Gohan encountered her. The appetizers had been brought out 30 minutes ago, but she'd found herself to not be hungry. Krillin's friends descended onto the warm food like vultures finding a dead carcass in the middle of the desert. The young boys Goten and Trunks were the first to grab some food, shoving it into their faces as if they'd never eaten before. All she could do was watch in amazement before removing herself from the group to be alone. Chi-Chi's voice rang out, chastising Goten for being a pig.
A shiver ran through Eighteen. The thought of mothers and children made her squeamish.
'Thank goodness I'm not capable of having children,' she thought. The mere idea of motherhood was abstract to the blonde cyborg. She'd barely come to know her own mother. Whatever had happened in her childhood was gone, like dust in the wind. The only occasional events of her childhood came at the most inopportune times when she was sleeping, disturbing her mind, etching itself to her, wrecking havoc upon her when she finally was content with herself. Krillin then appeared in her thoughts. How would he feel about children? She figured he would love to have children some time down the road, but would her not being able to have children effect how he viewed her?
Eighteen stood motionless, deep in thought, unaware someone was calling her name. Someone grabbed her hand, luring her from her thoughts. She blinked a few times.
"Eighteen? Are you okay?" Krillin released her hand, concern in his voice. "I saw you weren't with the others, so I just wanted to check up on you."
'Of course you did, Krillin…' Eighteen glanced down at him before returning her attention to the changing sky.
"Yes, I'm fine, thank you. I just don't know how to interact with your friends very well."
"I understand that. They're a weird bunch, like I had said."
"Hm, I guess you fit in great then, huh?" Krillin gave a look to Eighteen. She didn't look at him, but he saw her smile.
"Yeah, yeah. If you say so."
The sky began to be washed by red, orange and yellow as the sun began to depart from their view. Sunsets always had a way of comforting Eighteen. Although the sun was descending, it would come back up to greet the world in a few short hours, as if it had never been gone in the first place. How beautiful, yet strange, the world was.
"The sunset is really beautiful," she finally said. It wasn't directed to Krillin, but a mere statement thrown out into the air. Krillin looked up.
"Yeah…Yeah, it really is." His hand reached for hers, fingers intertwining with hers. "But, let's be honest, it's not as beautiful as you." He squeezed her hand. Eighteen let out a small laugh. How he found such ways to be charming and amusing at the same time would be a mystery.
"Thank you, Krillin. Sometimes, I think I don't deserve you."
"Yeah. Wait, what?" Eighteen finally turned to look at him. Right as she opened her mouth, Bulma appeared behind them.
"Hey, you two! Hurry up and come get some food! It's all ready!" Krillin waved at her, and said they'd be coming soon. Eighteen tugged at his hand towards where Bulma had been.
"We'll talk about it later, I promise." She bent down and kissed his cheek.
END OF CHAPTER 26
Hello, y'all! It's been a couple weeks, huh? Well, I'm glad to have finished this chapter for you guys, so I do hope you enjoy it! Vacation was great. Exhausting, but great. Ha! I'll be writing some more and hope to have it up by the end of this week as well. We'll have to see what else I have in store, but I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Have a great rest of your week!
Much love,
- AM