Long Distance Communication
Chapter 21: To a Brighter Future
A familiar warmth was the first thing Krillin experienced while slowly regaining conscious, which would turn out to be rather different than one provided by blanket covering his body or even the sunlight shinning against him the more he focused on his senses. Intrigued by this rather strange phenomenon, he let his hands wander toward the source of this soothing sensation, only to gasp softly as his fingers brushed against the delicate skin and silky strands of his beloved.
No way, is my Sweeteen really laying beside me?
Scared that he would open his eyes only to find his angel absent, Krillin kept his eyes closed as he continued to feel up her still clothed body. It was only after gathering her firmly in his arms and making sure there wasn't even a slightest bit of chance this was all in his imagination did the warrior monk peeled his heavy eyelids opened.
Krillin's breath was instantly taken away by the tranquil face of Eighteen mere inches from him. His sweetie appeared so close yet far away at that moment with the edge of her already milky complexion made more dreamlike by the pale moonlight. In the rich hazel eyes of the human fighter, she was as intangible as she was tangible, her skin semi-translucent while the light blonde hair almost fading into the night. Holding onto her tightly, he basked himself in her body temperature, trying to reassure his beating heart she really was there beside him.
If...if only I can wake up next to you every day from now on, I'd be content with my life...
Gently, he brushed a few loose strands from her face and planted a kiss on her smooth forehead, then one on her adorable nose, and finally one on her luscious lips. The cyborg girl, in response to his endearing gestures, snuggled closer to the warrior monk with her deceptively strong arms wrapping tightly around his muscle-bound body, her fingers tracing his chiseled physique, reminding him of how he had gotten his form back thanks to her.
It was only when Krillin's stomach disturbed the peace with its loud growling did he let out a sigh and loosened his grip around her.
"Well, guess I'd better cook us some breakfast heh sweetie? Stay here till I get back kay?"
With one more kiss on her cheek that caused the young woman to turn her head toward his departing lips, Krillin left the room, but not before covering her body with a thick blanket which she drew closer against her body the moment it landed.
Cyborg or not, Eighteen's gotta be cold during this early hour...
Despite of not having touched the many kitchen utensils for over a week, Krillin got reacquainted with the many tools that all felt at home in his grasp. A roaring fire on the stove soon started with the cultured monk flipping the heavy frying pen akin to holding onto a feather, the many food ingredients leaping through the air by his command, splashing juicy gravy as they spun around midair.
The sky hadn't lightened one bit by the time several steamy dishes were laid onto the dining table, a sharp contrast to Krillin who have long since lost his pristine appearance and was now sweating bullets from the workout.
"Ho ho ho...looks like you've recovered from your illness my boy!" Roshi strolled into the shared common area stroking his beard and sporting a pleased look.
"Master, I don't know you are awake! You sure you already have enough sleep?" Krillin asked worriedly.
The old man merely chuckled at his question. "Don't worry about me young lad, at my age, sleep isn't a necessity," he replied, only for a loud growling to overtake his speech.
"I see, but your stomach clearly requires food right?" the younger male asked smugly.
"Yeah, whatever, care if I try some?"
"Of course not master, here let me go grab some bowls!"
That morning before the sun had risen; the former master and apprentice sat side by side on the table, enjoying some very early breakfast like how they had done all those decades ago until the serving of tea signaled the end to the meal. For Krillin, seeing the old man's joyful face as he consumed the dishes nonstop was the icing on the cake that was the fulfilling exercise he had just been through.
"Well that was certainly delicious. It's good to know you have fully recovered! Oolong would be happy to know he wouldn't be the only one cooking too!" Roshi complimented, further energizing the haired monk.
"Thanks master, wouldn't have recovered without your help,"
"And Eighteen's help right?" the turtle hermit, seemingly reading his thoughts, finished the sentence for him.
Had Roshi done that some months ago, Krillin was sure he would've blushed and started stuttering. To his surprise though, he felt completely at ease with the mentioning of his beloved and the aid she had given him. "Yeah, definitely wouldn't be here without Eighteen," his voice was laced with emotion but the delivery calm and collected.
"I see, and I assume you have already popped the question?"
"Huh? W-w-what do you mean master?" and just like that his rarely seem speech impediment was back again.
What question? Does Roshi mean marriage? Do Eighteen and I look that close together already?
Roshi raised his eyebrows at the awkward yet endearing sight of his student going all pale then gradually redden to resemble a ripened tomato while kind of surprised his own perverted self hadn't taken over to embarrass the young man yet.
"Have you asked her to move in with you is what I meant my boy!"
"O-oh that...haha...yes I have master, but Eighteen wasn't quite sure last time and I don't want to push her." Krillin sighed, mentally kicking himself.
Roshi nodded approvingly. "And you are wise to give her the space she needed Krillin. Cause trust me, woman's heart changes easily hehe...," the old man's sage-like tone abruptly shifted to a high pitched cackle, garnering him a defeated glance from his audience not that it stopped the pervert who started laughing louder. "Oh common my boy, we are all grown man here, there's no need to hide things from me! Even after what happened last night you can't just assume she'd agree to moving in!" he ended with a few winks.
"MASTER ROSHI! Me and Eighteen just cuddled that's all!" Krillin couldn't help but to raise his voice.
"Really, then what was it that I heard last night?"
"Probably just your imagination master! All that adult entertainment binge watching must have messed up your hearing! I mean really thanks for clarifying things to our friends yesterday but your daily behavior still made it uncomfortable for Eighteen to live here. She may not say it but I know she's affected!"
"Okay okay, so long as you know not to hurry things up!" Roshi sighed but still gave his pupil a pat on the back that seemingly dispelled any disagreement they may have.
The young and old martial artists gave each other a father-son-like smile then without hesitation embraced one other in a heartfelt hug.
"You've come a long way son! I'm proud of you!"
"Thanks master, she's special and I just don't want to..."
"I know..."
Eighteen felt the sun shining against her face and guessed based on the intensity of ultraviolet rays, temperature, and humidity that it was probably around eleven, a much later time than one she used to get up back at her brother's mountain cabin. Even with her enhanced body always providing sufficient energy to ward off cold, the cyborg girl found the bed too cozy while the thick blanket covering her too warm to leave and she snuggled closer to the mattress.
"Kril..." she murmured sleepily and reached for the spot next to her but to her dismay, the searching hand landed on an empty spot.
"Kril...are you there?" she raised her voice but still received no response. All of the sudden the bed didn't seem so comforting anymore and she frowned, hoping this missing person would magically appear after another search.
"Krillin?" Eighteen called out again and, after receiving no reply from her beloved, reluctantly pried her heavy eyelids opened.
The room was just like what it was, illuminated in a warm pale yellow but now that it was missing its usual occupant, someone she always trusted to be there, the vibrant color and sweat-inducing sunlight appeared no different from the predominant freezing pale blue of the northern regions.
Now you are just being overly dramatic Eighteen, Krillin's just gotten better and can get off the bed on his own, aren't you happy for him?
Don't be ridiculous, I know that's not why I'm upset, by Sixteen...I can already hear Seventeen laughing at me...wait...is that Krillin?
Although the cyborg girl was all too sure the unique footsteps most certainly belonged to the haired-monk, she wasn't about to make simple assumptions again and instead eyed the door curiously until that round cute face she adored so much emerged.
"Morning Eighteen, I trust that you have had a good sleep?" Krillin was holding onto a tray of food, it's delicious aroma making her stomach rumble in the strangest way.
"Yes I have Kril, and what have we here?" she inquired despite knowing the answer, her eyes gleaming at his considerate gesture.
The cultured monk seemed to have caught the glistening in her eyes and smiled. "Oh you know sweetie, lunch!"
"I can tell genius, but why are you bringing lunch here? Do I look like a patient to you?" her aloof tone bore no flame and if anything, harbored an obvious hint of playfulness in it, something Krillin had become increasingly aware of the more he roomed with her.
Very cute Eighteen, you have a weird sense of humor you know that babe? But then again...
An idea struck the warrior monk and he cleared his throat dramatically as if signaling a scene change. "I'm sorry to tell you this sweetie, but I have just found out the illness I caught was very contagious and well," he paused for several seconds for dramatic effect but all he got was a deadpan stare from the cyborg girl, making him panic somewhat. "Well...hehe...you being my primary taker meant you have to be isolated from the others from now on!" he said trying to fake regret.
"Seriously Kril?" she narrowed her cat-like eyes, the blue sparkling a different kind of color.
Krillin has never played this kind of trick on me ever but I can swear he's just fooling around...
"Yes sweeteen, that's why I have brought your lunch here," as Krillin talked, he scooped up a spoonful of delicious looking food that almost made Eighteen's stomach let loose one of those ungentlemanly like growls all males surrounding her love to make. "Now be a good girl, open your mouth, and say ah!" he said as if he was really talking to a sick child, the spoon inching closer to her mouth.
Eighteen wanted to snort or huff, but part of her was afraid of accidentally knock the fruits of undoubtedly Krillin's hard labor to waste, and so reluctantly, she opened her mouth to let the food in.
This is delicious! But still, he has to be punished for treating me like this...
"Well?" Krillin couldn't keep his act anymore, especially seeing the displeased look on Eighteen's face that only soured the more she chewed.
By kami, don't tell me...
Krillin's thoughts were quickly erased when she pressed her lips against his, making him taste his own cooking and nearly causing the chef to drop the tray.
"I'm just teasing you Kril! It was delicious but you really don't need to bring food up here! Why don't we head downstairs and join the others?" she stated in a natural tone and when Krillin still looked a bit confused, the cyborg quickly added, "as much as I love being alone with you, staying here cooped up just isn't my idea of fun."
Krillin couldn't be happier had he tried hearing those words.
While sharing lunch with two perverts wasn't exactly Eighteen's idea of fun, especially since the duo had this habit of giving her dirty male gazes from time to time, the young blonde woman tried her best pretending everything was normal and ignored the two, preferring to focus her attention on Krillin whose smile convinced her he was having the time of his life dinning with his roommates.
"So Eighteen, how was your sleep last night?" Oolong asked with his mouth full, a sickening grin plastered across his face that made the hidden meaning behind his question all but crystal clear.
Krillin felt goosebumps stood up all across his skin as he glanced over at Eighteen whose calm demeanor belied the displeasure that he could practically taste in his mouth, not to mention the red blinking in her eyes he hadn't seem in ages.
"It was great Oolong, thank you for asking!" her nonchalant response surprised the warrior monk who then caught the sly smirk showing she was about to deliver the punishment. "Me and Krillin had an emotional bonding last night and afterwards, we cuddled until I fall asleep in his arms!"
"Wh-really?" Oolong almost fell off his chair, shades of surprise, desire, and jealousy flushing through his cheeks like a rainbow. Roshi on the other hand remained silent and eyed the cyborg girl suspiciously, the only sign of his mood change being a stream of crimson liquid dripping down his nostrils.
Eighteen's grin grew wider but her pale blue orbs had since frozen over glaring at the pig like a predator. "Yes, in fact, it's so draining I want to have pork chop for dinner!"
Sharp exhales from wide-eyed Oolong was followed by deathly silence, one only broken by Krillin's laughter that escaped his hands-covered mouth.
"Sorry babe, I've already got dinner planned out, one I'm sure you'll like," the warrior monk laid a hand on her shoulder.
She returned with a reassuring smile. "I see, well anything you cook I'll eat Kril!"
The pig let out a deep sigh of relief before collapsing onto the ground, his four limbs given out on him due to the sudden dispel of tension.
After lunch, the newly recovered cook took out a tray of homemade parfait, his heart thumping against his chest as the ice cream lover put a spoonful of desert into her mouth, and then another, then another and would only stop once the bowl had been emptied.
She looks like she's really enjoying it, let's just hope she's not just acting for my sake...
His effort would be rewarded by a radiating expression that drew some "ohh" and "ahh" from the two resident pervert and later on, in the privacy of their shared room, a loving kiss.
"You thinking what I'm thinking Kril?" Eighteen asked; her head pressed against his as the two basked in the warm afternoon sunlight.
Krillin nodded as he twirled her glistening golden locks with his finger, admiring its smoothness. "Let's go see Seventeen, he deserves to know I have recovered!"
"Yeah! Let's go see brother dearest! Besides I have a hunch something big will happen to him today!" she replied with a chuckle. "But aren't you scared I'll head back to the mountain cabin and never return here Kril?"
Her piercing blue eyes met his gentle caring ones and without uttering a word, both knew what the other was thinking.
"Now you are just teasing me again sweetie! You know I'm here for you!" as Krillin talked, he ran his fingers through her smooth hair again, finding this gesture calms his nerves. "Even if you do go back, I'll simply follow you there. I just don't want the two of us to part again...I can't bear with it anymore!"
Her heart pounded at the slight crack in his voice and reassured him by putting her mouth next to his ear. "And you don't have to Kril! The location might change, but I'll always be here with you!" she whispered.
"To go see sister dearest or not, that is the question..." a raven-haired youth muttered to himself slowly plucking off the pedals to a wild flower till with a sigh, he tossed the left over into the air. "Still a no...ah well it's probably for the best, she's probably having fun with her Kril and as a supportive brother, I should give them the space they deserve!" as he talked, the cyborg youth's lips pouted and his arms crossed in front of his chest.
Ahh who am I kidding? The lack of sister dearest, her Kril, and Carly is killing me...speaking of which...
Seventeen produced a paper from his breast pocket and let the words unfold before him for the hundredth time since receiving it.
Hi Seventeen,
Sorry I couldn't mail you more often these days. Work at Monster Island has been hectic to say the least!
So you know the velociraptors from the Northern Regions? Well a group of them decided to invade the Southern Regions a couple of days ago and gave the double Gs a lot of headache. They ran out of tranquilizers and almost called in the military before the situation was brought under control. We were not doing that much better in the lab either and had been working overtime trying to find the root to this unusual behavior.
Now you know why we are in such a hurry to find new recruits. There were always talks of expanding the small team but the upper management was rather stingy with budget until now when all hell broke loose on a regular basis. We all suspect this has something to do with Cell's unusual energy outburst; the monster must have damaged the nerves of these poor animals somehow.
Anyways I hope I'm not boring you with these details. Some of my co-workers would rather not talk about this so I'm glad you are willing to listen to me.
Lastly before I forget, be sure to check your mailbox these days. Dr. Washi said they are in the process of sending out official decisions so keep an eye-out for it.
Good luck friend and I hope you get the job!
Carly Oiseau
Regardless of how many times he had already read the letter, Seventeen's hands still tensed up and his heart thumped frantically reading her words.
Funny how humans invented words that really are just a few strokes and through a bunch of words, they tell a story...
Still though, letter is no replacement to face-to-face conversation. By Sixteen, how did sister dear manage to exchange letters with Krillin without meeting him for so long? It's only been a few weeks and I'm already falling apart. Sister dear, Carly, Krillin, where are you guys?
And then there's Cell, the bastard managed to mess up mother nature even after he's dead! Well just wait till I get to Monster Island! If I get the job that is...
Too deep in thought was the cyborg youth he didn't notice an eagle approaching him until it had landed on his shoulder, its talons clasping firmly against his neigh impenetrable skin which to Seventeen felt like a gentle squeeze.
"Having fun with your sister little bird boy...wait, it's you!"
Perched on his shoulder was the showoff currently courting the sister eagle. The same boastful male now had its eyes trained on the letter in a rather studious fashion much to Seventeen's amusement.
"So you can read human writings heh? Want to read this for me? Who knows, you might impress the girl you sister stealer!" Seventeen stated mischievously before his eyebrows furrowed, feeling a bit guilty at using the word "sister stealer".
Better not let sister dearest hear me use that phrase like ever...besides, Krillin's better than that...
The eagle tilted its head from side to side then without warning, tried to peck at the letter but only hit thin air. The bird of prey blinked a few times as if perplexed by his rare miss then proceeded to strike at the paper incessantly but the flimsy material proved to be much more agile than anticipated, even if it lacked legs or wings to run away and always managed to float just out of reach.
Confused and perhaps a bit frustrated, it let out a loud shrike then took off into the sky, back to its old tricks again which, Seventeen had to admit, was rather majestic with its wings barely fluttering in the wind. Soon the siblings joined in and the trio soaring through the sky like a nicely choreographed sequence.
From a distance, cries from other accipitridaes filled the air, with one particular sound oddly familiar to the cyborg's enhanced hearing. His cybernetic vision with its zoom-in ability soon caught the maker of the sound as the parents perched on a nearby tree, watching keenly over their offspring and the suitor. His little bird boy seemed to have recognized the cry too and took off toward them followed by the other two. In no time, the family of four stood united on a pine tree helping each other clean their feathers.
Glad to see you finally back with your parents little bird boy...
His thoughts were interrupted when his pet turned its head toward him and let out a loud shriek as if beckoning him over. Pointing at himself Seventeen gave the eagle a surprised look, one it returned with another shriek and the fluttering of its wings.
"Alright then, if you want me over here I come!"
Much unlike last time when he was by the eagle's nest, Seventeen flew toward the family without bothering to conceal himself and was welcomed amidst the proud kings and queens of the sky, his skin against their feathers, crystal blue eyes staring into steely accipitridae ones, and most importantly, human speak to eagle speak.
"You know, I probably have a family just like you do once little bird boy, but now all I have is my sister dearest and her boyfriend!" Seventeen commented staring into five pairs of unblinking eyes. "There's also the chance I'll depart from these woods for Monster Island and if that happens, I'd like you, little bird boy to come with me. So what do the rest of you birds say? Mind letting me borrow this fellow for a while?"
An awkward silence took over, imposed by the feathered animals that seemed to be able to comprehend what he was saying. The eagles eyed each other curiously until all eyes rested on the juvenile bird who let out a shriek, which was then followed by four unified shrieks.
"Ahh thanks you guys, and you, sister stealer!" Seventeen said pointing at the bombastic individual. "You'd better take care of bird girl you hear? Or else I'll be coming after you!"
A peck against his finger greeted the cyborg, making him smile.
By the time Seventeen made it back to the log cabin with his feathered friend on his shoulder, the sky was a shade of violet and indigo blue coupled with flew strokes of white on the tip of mountain ranges. The air molecules, while not as freezing and dense as their February counterpart, still managed to creep into his form, prompting the inbuilt reactor to work harder to offset the cold outside.
The lack of lighting inside his cabin didn't help with the mood either, as the young man could recall before his sister and the warrior monk left for Kame House, there would always be a warm orange glow coming from the windows as if welcoming him. Now it looked more desolate than some of the haunted houses, with the only element missing being abandoned cobwebs.
"Well, let's see if there's anything inside the mailbox shall we? We might just find our ticket to the future!" the cyborg boy gave his friend a wink then reached inside the mailbox but even after feeling inside several times, his fingers reached nothing.
If cybernetic hearts suffer from heart failure just like normal humans', Seventeen was sure his would've failed him at that instant.
The moment Seventeen opened the creaking door; however, a blinding light covered his vision and loud cheers of "surprise!" reached his ear. Before he managed to shake off the sudden sensory overload, a pair of warm hands had taken hold of his while another pair landed on his shoulder, giving him a warm tight squeeze.
"Seventeen! It's been too long!" the voice belonged to Krillin who shook his hand excitedly.
"Yeah baby bro! You doing okay? You looked a bit...out of it..." his twin sister inquired in a concerned tone while continuing to massage his back, her fingers loosening him up like no others could.
"Ye-yeah, I'm good, just a bit under the weather" the raven-haired cyborg replied trying to mask the emotion swelling up from deep within him. "What about you two? Last time I checked my sister dearest was on the verge of falling apart because Krillin had gotten so ill."
His cheeky reply earned him a light smack on his head from his elder sibling and a good-natured chuckle from the haired monk who then began showing off his new and improved form in comedic yet dramatic fashion.
"That was all in the past Seventeen. Now look at me! I'm back to normal!"
"Good for you man!" Seventeen gave Krillin a pat on the back but his puzzled eyes were on the blushing blonde who couldn't peel her eyes away from her boyfriend, a sight he found rather strange if not a bit amusing.
Did I just caught sis getting flustered at Krillin flexing his muscles? Talk about physical attraction...
"I see things have been progressing rather well for you two heh sis?"
The mischievous comment earned the younger brother a dirty glare that made him feel like a pervert. Luckily, Krillin was there to the rescue as he wrapped an arm around his sister's waist without much thought, stealing his siblings attention back where it belonged.
"It's all thanks to Eighteen I get to recover Seventeen! She's like my protective angel!"
If his elder sister was blushing before, her face is now a shade of tomato-red and the ocean blue eyes she sported prior resembled that of boiled water in a teapot.
"W-watch w-who you call angel Kril!" it was obvious the cyborg girl wanted to sound angry but the slight stutter ruined the façade.
"Hey, it's just the three of us right? It's not like I'll call you angel out in public sweetie!"
"You'd better not Kril!" she admonished sternly but her lips pressing against his forehead laid her true feeling for him wide open for all to see.
Rather than getting weirded out by the display of affection, Seventeen looked on with a hint of lingering without saying a word as did his feathered companion.
Dinner was started soon after. To the younger twin's surprise, Krillin and Eighteen had insisted on doing all of the food preparation as they produced some dishes they had prepared at Kame House while also barbecuing the wildlife he had hunted, something oddly similiar to how they had cooked him a surprise dinner before his interview with Monster Island.
Do they...do they know something I don't?
The younger brother decided to keep things to himself; however, as he enjoyed the many food laid out before him that were made all the more tasty-looking by the warm oil lamps and candles, even while his heart was bumping uneasily in his chest.
Throughout the meal, the elder sister noticed her brother was slightly agitated and thought she knew what the problem might be but kept it to herself, forcing the guilt deeper into her.
Common brother, let's not worry about Monster Island and just enjoy the dinner now! Sixteen knows you'll be too excited to eat any of the food...
Krillin turned out to be the one talking the most as he shared his many Kame House stories with Seventeen. Part of him felt rather awful for separating the siblings with his ailment and was determined to fill the cyborg boy on what he had missed.
Seventeen looked like he was half-dead when he opened the door, well, he's about to feel much better!
"Hey brother, why don't you make yourself comfortable while we clean up the dishes?" Eighteen suggested pointing toward a rather comfortable couch.
Scratching his head still unsure what game the pair was playing, Seventeen took up seat with his eagle resting on his lap, his eyes glued on the couple as they did dishes together, with Krillin cleaning the items and his sister placing them back where they belonged. Although he noted their teamwork wasn't quite the level when he and Eighteen took on Vegeta, the collaboration was rather impeccable and would make any other couple jealous with how smooth the plates got passed from one to another akin to one of those mountain steams flowing effortless downwards. The two never got in the way of the other, their limbs never collided, and not a sound was uttered as they communicated with their body languages alone.
How very adorable you two...makes me wonder if I'll ever find anyone this special...
"Now brother, here's the moment of truth!" Eighteen stood in front of Seventeen with Krillin beside her both sporting a rather pleased smile.
Seventeen's heart almost burst out of his chest at the sight of the envelope from Monster Island, his emotional eyes wide opened and his hands slightly shaking as he accepted the letter from his sister. Despite its actual weight amount to almost nothing, the letter felt much heavier than anything he had ever laid hands on.
"Wh-why don't you tell me sooner sis?" he shouted as the reality hit him and a torrent of emotions ranging from happiness to anger and resentment at his sister for hiding the item from him.
"Sorry bro, we just want you to enjoy the dinner without getting too excited that's all. Now open it and let's see what they have to say shall we?" Eighteen nudged him on the waist.
"Y-you two haven't looked at it already have you?" Seventeen eyed them suspiciously.
"No, Seventeen, of course we'd never do that. Your sister just thought she has a hunch as to what their reply will be!" Krillin reassured.
Bit by bit, Seventeen pulled out the white sheet of paper gingerly with shaky fingers, slowly revealing its content. Once the letter was out, he unfolded it for all to see and the three gasped in unison, even if some of them already knew what's written on it.
Dear Mr. Seventeen,
We are pleased to inform you that after carefully scrutinizing every aspect of your application, the team have decided to hire you for the position of Ranger on Monster Island. There were hundreds of applicants for this position but yours rose to the top.
Should you decide to accept this job offer, you will be given your own housing on Monster Island with all utilities will be paid for by Monster Island. All employees will also receive free meals and access to the many facilities on Monster Island without charge.
We hope you will be able to give us an answer no later than March 30th. There are urgent assignments for you from the start and we are looking forward to working with you in the future!
Sincerely,
Dr. Washi
Head of Monster Island Research Team
The euphoria Seventeen experienced was like none other. It was far better than both him and his sister beating down Vegeta, Trunks, Piccolo, and Tien on the highway and later fighting the same arrogant Saiyan Prince to a draw on the mountains. In fact, if he was to be honest with himself, the relief of reuniting with his sister after the Cell incident was the only one dwarfing this sensation.
Eighteen and Krillin meanwhile wrapped their hands together as they watched the cyborg youth's expression got more extreme by the second until he looked like he was too excited to be on the ground anymore and that was exactly what happened as he blasted into the sky, firing energy bolts all across the sky.
"Didn't I tell you little bro wouldn't be able to stand still let alone eat anything once he got the news Kril?" Eighteen chuckled.
"Yeah you sure did Eighteen, you know your brother well."
"Of course I do. He's my twin after all!"
"Well then babe, shall we join him?" Krillin asked and before Eighteen could reply, he had already charged up a kamehameha and fired it into the sky.
"Heh...boys..." the elder sister shook her head all the while betraying what she said by charging up pink energies on her palms.
The night sky of northern region became filled with fireworks of green, pale blue, and pink, attracting many onlookers both humans and animals alike who gathered to witness the spectacle.
Later that night after the excitement had died down, Eighteen sat in front of her old desk, her fingers tracing the wooden surface full of scratch marks, each bearing their own unique story that she could recall vividly in her mind.
Here's the first one I made when I dug through the poor piece of paper with a pencil after getting frustrated at what to write to Krillin...
And this one's produced when Krillin called me Dear Eighteen for the first time. I still can't believe how worked up I got that night...Seventeen was even afraid I'll blow up my room!
Under the pale moonlight and herself full of emotion, the cyborg girl reached inside a drawer and took out a piece of paper and pen, setting about to pen one last letter on her desk while accompanied by snoring of Krillin, her recipient. Unlike all those months ago where she had little control over her pen and hadn't had a clue a to what to write, words now flowed out of her pen gracefully to the rhythm of her beloved's cute sounds.
Dear Krillin,
A little more than a year ago (I'm taking the time we spent inside the time chamber into consideration kay Kril?), I wrote you my first letter and since then things have spiraled out of control. Had I known things would happen the way they did back then, there was a chance I wouldn't have had the courage to do what I did since human emotions and personal feelings used to scare me but now that I've experienced just how heartwarming it is, I'm so glad I took the initiative.
Spending time with you have been a rather eye-opening experience, let it be our first date at the shopping mall or the three of us training together to take on Vegeta. Although it has been just over a year since meeting you, I feel like I've known you for a much longer time and that first letter, which I'm so glad you kept with you inside your desk, felt like a life-time away. I was just Cyborg #18 back then but now I feel I'm a full person known as Eighteen.
By the time you received this letter in your mailbox we would've been living together officially but now as I sit here writing this letter, I am at the very first spot that started this episode of our life. Funny how physical locations don't change but we as individuals do isn't it?
I hope the same can be said about my future that will be spend at Kame House and no matter how hard things get for us, I hope this letter can remind you of how far we've come and repair any damage we might have incurred on one another. Let this be a proof of our progress.
Love,
Eighteen
As Artificial Human Number Eighteen was devoting herself to the letter, she failed to notice Krillin's snoring have since stopped until a pair of firm arms wrapped around her body and the haired monk's face appeared beside hers, giving her cheek a loving kiss as he did so.
"Mmm...Eighteen...what are you doing up so late?" the cultured monk asked sleepily then shifted his glance toward the finished letter which knocked off any trace of sleep left in him. "D-did I just caught you writing me a loving letter my dear Eighteen?"
"So what if you did Kril? Don't you know it's rude to read a letter before you received it?" the cyborg girl replied sternly as she tried to cover his vision with her hands.
"Ohh...sorry sweetie. Must have forgotten my manner...still a bit sleepy you see," Krillin turned his head away from the desk in a hurry while praying to Dende high up on Kami's Lookout to let him forget what he had just read.
The cyborg girl giggled as she put the letter into an envelope with all the care in the world. "Hey it's okay Kril! I'm glad you are curious at what I'm writing to you!"
The haired monk eyed her with a disbelieving look. "Of course I'm curious sweeteen! I'm always curious at whatever you have for me!"
"Okay, now you are just overkilling it Krillin! Tone down the cheese will you?"
"Hey, it's only for me sweetie and don't try to hide, I know you like it!"
"Ewww! Anyways I'd better go check on my baby bro! Promise me you won't read my letter while I'm away kay?" for a brief moment, Eighteen's eyes took on a shade of frozen blue as if trying to let Krillin know she's dead serious and her companion nodded without getting upset, knowing it was her unique way of getting the message across.
Once his angel was out of sight, the cultured monk too got curious of the desk and took a seat on the chair, his sensitive skin immediately feeling residuals of her warmth coursing through his body.
So this is where Eighteen wrote all her letters! Can't believe I actually get to witness her writing something...she looked so...focused and loving...
Overwhelmed by the sudden influx of emotion, Krillin took a paper from Eighteen's desk and took hold of the pen she had used mere minutes ago, feeling her energy mixed with his. While the cultured monk had always wrote his letters with a traditional brush, utilizing the very same tools Eighteen used brought him a sense of comfort. It was as if his sweetie was holding his hands with hers, guiding him and letting his feeling for her out onto the paper.
Dear Eighteen,
I don't think you'll believe this, but I'm actually sitting on your desk using your pen to write you this letter. Very dorky I know, but you can't blame me for wanting to go through the exact same experience you have been through yourself right?
Excuse me for the cheese, but before I met you I have nothing except for martial arts and a large group of supportive friends. Okay, so maybe I have quite a lot going on for me but they aren't anything quite like you. Romance has always been my weakness and the only girlfriend I ever had couldn't stop herself from flirting with every other males, including Korin the cat. Can you believe it? She'd flirt with a cat over me!
You on the other hand stayed despite the good and the bad and for the first time in my life I felt like I'm more than just a friend, a pupil, a fellow warrior to someone else.
Thank you for letting me see an undiscovered side of me! For making me loved, for making me want someone like you do. No, this isn't a marriage proposal or anything, it's just me saying I've never felt more complete than I have during these months we've spent together. I can't wait to see what life has in store for us!
Love,
Krillin Chestnut
Meanwhile down the hallway from Eighteen's room sat the cyborg siblings on Seventeen's bed. The room looked devoid of contents as most belongings were now inside the capsules brought by Krillin, which was quite a lot considering the room used to be filled with animal hides, trophies, and firearms.
"You sure you want to leave for Monster Island tomorrow? We have until March 30th you know?" Eighteen asked as her delicate fingers caressed the eagle resting on Seventeen's laps, somewhat surprised the bird of prey would allow her to touch it the way her sibling had been doing.
The raven-haired cyborg gave his twin a determined nod. "Sorry sis, but based on what I know, Monster Island desperately needs someone to take care of a few businesses," as he spoke, his crystal blue eyes met her identical set, the two pairs of jewel-like orbs beaming in the dark like quiet flames that stood unwavering in in the darkness. "It's like a calling for me you know, it's as if I made it this far just for this!"
Eighteen nodded approvingly. "You sounded serious!"
"Dead serious!"
"Well good for you bro and I thought this is all just for fun for you."
Seventeen couldn't help but to narrow his eyes, even if he knew she was telling the truth to a certain degree.
"It was just for fun a while ago, but now I'm taking this seriously!" he flashed her a grin, his teeth glistening under the moonlight.
"Oh? Is it because of that Carly chick little bro? Now you are making you sister a bit jealous!" Eighteen teased and her grin would only get wider at the flustered cheeks her brother was trying desperately to hide.
"Hey, you've been making me jealous ever since Krillin came onboard old sis!" he rebutted and in a rare gesture of defiance, nudged his elder sibling on the head, which to his surprise, the sometimes temperamental and bossy twin took it without complaint.
"Fine, I deserved that one but also know you are the one encouraging me to reach out to Krillin and without him, you might have not landed the job!" Eighteen brushed a few strands of her blonde hair behind her ears.
"True...true sis...,"
The siblings sat quietly in the room watching the sky on the other side of the window gradually loosen its cool nightshade, signaling the arrival of a new day. Sunlight began penetrating into the wooden cabin and illuminating the place they've been calling home for nearly a year.
"I suppose you are going with Krillin to Kame House?" Seventeen leaned his head against hers in one of their favorite sibling positions and his female counterpart did the same, pressing her platinum blonde hair against his jet-black ones.
Although her brother hadn't explicitly stated the intentions behind his seemingly nonchalant question, she knew why the inquiry was made and let out a sigh.
"Yeah...I just...can't be without him anymore bro, and he looked so happy with his roommates, even if two of them are perverts of the worst kind,"
"I see..." was all he managed to say.
"Hey, don't worry bro, I'll be sure to come back every once in a while and keep this place clean and tiddy just in case you ever want to move back!" Eighteen gave his back an energetic pat that livened the mood.
"Thanks sis! And I'll do the same too! Let's keep this place a home we can always come back to deal?"
"Deal!"
Their fists met in midair akin to signing an unwritten contract. After all, this was the first home they know of and the place that housed them as the two slowly rediscovered themselves.
One day we'll both come back here with new experiences under our belts and look back fondly at our first home!
The sunlight was bright yet not overbearing as the little gang made their way across the ocean toward Monster Island. Seventeen was driving the hover car with Eighteen beside him riding shotgun while Krillin and the accipitridae sat leisurely in the back. The cyborg youth had insisted on driving to work like how a normal ranger would regardless of how often he planned on demonstrating his superhuman feats during his career.
They headed not for the Southern entrance parking lot but rather straight for the research center near the center. Eighteen and Krillin, who had only ever visited the southern region, were awed at the size of Monster Island as they took in diverse ecosystem the wildlife refuge housed. It was as if they had stepped through a time machine and into a bizarre world filled to the brim with strange prehistoric creatures.
"I'm glad you guys enjoyed the view and trust me, there's more to this place than meets the eye!" Seventeen proclaimed proudly.
There was one more surprise waiting for Eighteen and Krillin though, and that being the sight of a female with flaming red hair waiting for them by the helipad.
"I should've known you'd land right here you showoff!" the redhead stated with a joking tone.
Immediately, Eighteen could tell there was something going on between her brother and this woman but the blonde cyborg girl remained silent unlike how she had teased her brother back at their house. Krillin was also intrigued by this figure who seemed to know Seventeen so well, resulting in flashes of how he first initiated contact with Eighteen speeding through his mind, making him look over at his longtime pen gal who reciprocated his attention with a wink.
"Sorry about this Carly, but I read you guys have some urgent assignment for me so I couldn't help but to come here at once!" Seventeen replied smugly, his hands resting on his waist.
"That we do Seventeen, but why don't you introduce me to your friends first? Or perhaps they are your family?" the one known as Carly turned her attention to who she perceived as Seventeen's blonde doppelganger and a somewhat below average height but cute male.
"Oh yeah, this is my twin sister Eighteen and that's her boyfriend Krillin. They can both fly like I do!" the cyborg youth boasted, a sentiment his eagle companion seemed to agree on as it shrieked just as its friend was done with his speech.
"Is that so my darling?" Carly asked laying her hand on the eagle and proceeded to give it a massage.
The way Carly handled the proud eagle intrigued Eighteen, who had assumed only super humans such as herself or Krillin were able to befriend such a creature. While she could tell Carly hadn't been in any real fights with her loose muscles, there was a certain resoluteness in her friendly demeanor and the cyborg's eyes sparkled at the intriguing human.
"Hi, I'm Eighteen, Seventeen's sister. Nice to meet you!" the cyborg girl gave the woman her friendliest greeting possible and Carly accepted the handshake with a hearty one of her own.
"I'm Carly Oiseau, a researcher at Monster Island! Good to meet you sister of Seventeen!"
"Wow, so you are a researcher here," Krillin asked reading the nametag on her shirt. "Well it's a pleasure Dr. Oisseau," he too reached out his hand and the flaming red-haired scientist took it warmly.
"Please, just Carly is fine. I didn't become a researcher for people to call me doctor. I can do without such an honorific."
As they greeted, Seventeen was standing on the sideline a tad nervous at how his sibling and the warrior monk would think of his co-worker, a sentiment he tried to pass off as ridiculous.
Common Seventeen...it's not like I'm bring Carly back to meet my parents...
Seeing the interaction go smoothly put his worries at ease; however, with his sister seemed fond of the girl as she mouthed a few words at a volume only his enhanced hearing could pick up.
"I like her!"
"Thanks sis!"
"Anyways, thanks for coming at such a short notice Seventeen. Just earlier this morning, a group of marauding Dilophosaurus had been spotted crossing into the Eastern region where some of our rarest bird species resided. You think you are up for the task?" Carly stated calmly.
"Of course, just show me the way and I'll get it done!" his cool sapphire eyes met her emerald ones, a sight Eighteen and Krillin couldn't help but to let a grin emerging on their face feeling the chemistry.
"Good, now if you will follow me...whaaa! What are you doing?"
Carly wasn't able to finish her sentence before Seventeen picked her up in his arms, causing her composure to collapse as she squirmed.
"It's an emergency remember? So I think I'll fly there immediately. Show me the way doctor!"
As the cyborg youth said, his glance turned back to his twin and the warrior monk. Shades of relief, fulfillment, and a slight sadness quickly flashed through his eye as if asking for their understanding.
The cyborg girl gave her twin a reassuring nod, her fingers clasped tightly around Krillin's drawing energy and support from him.
"Go Seventeen! This is your life so go make it happen!" Eighteen's ocean blue eyes seemed to tell him without uttering a word.
"Thanks sis! I'm heading off now! And thank you Krillin! Take care of my sister okay?" Seventeen's expression conveyed his intention across silently.
Krillin's thumbs up was all the reassurance he needed, one that allowed the cyborg youth to relax as one less trouble worried him.
Sister dearest is in good hands now...
Turning away from his long-time companions, the cyborg boy took off into the air with Carly Oiseau clinging onto his back, giving him directions regarding the location of the incident. His eagle companion too spared Eighteen and Krillin one last look before hurrying to meet its friend. Soon the trio was nothing more than a tiny dot on the horizon.
Krillin stayed on the helipad holding onto his beloved tightly, his fingers caressing hers the whole time trying to cushion the impact of this farewell.
"Are you alright sweetie? Perhaps some good parfait at our favorite restaurant will help?" he tried to comfort her and knew that despite of her calm exterior, this beautiful and emotional creature was hurting on the inside whose crystal blue eyes still reflected off the image of her brother.
"I'm alright Kril!" Eighteen took a deep inhale and exhale, letting the pent-up emotion dissipate along with her breathing, images of Krillin meditating even during the hardest periods of his life appearing in her eyes. "I'm very proud of my brother Krillin, he's a good person and deserved this job!"
Krillin chuckled slightly at her reaction, garnering him a playful elbow to his waist.
"Ouch Eighteen! I was just about to say it's alright for you to get emotional. We all go through this, even me!" he complained in a joking manner and rubbed against the spot her blow landed in a rather dramatic fashion.
"I know Kril, I'm just finally starting to see why Seventeen reacted the way he did when you came over to deliver that letter in person that's all. He's happy for me but at the same time slightly afraid I'll be taken from his life because of you," She muttered rather embarrassingly.
"Oh! Uhh well anyways, what should we do now? Do we head for Kame House?"
"Yes Kril, but before then there's something I want to take care of!" the cyborg girl stated with a rather devious smirk.
They landed outside of the post office closest to Kame House after a rather leisurely flight across vast stretches of ocean and landscape. Holding onto each other's hands firmly, the duo walked through the automatic door and into the place responsible for processing and delivering their letters. While this was the first time for Eighteen to enter without any disguise, she felt completely at ease with Krillin by her side and the two soon drew quite a lot of attention onto themselves.
"Welcome Krillin, and...who is this woman with you?" asked the brunette clerk rather taken aback by the sight of Krillin in the company of someone.
Before the haired-monk responded with a greeting of his own, the cyborg girl had beat him to it as she placed her letter for Krillin onto the desk with a smack.
"Hi, I'm Eighteen!" she said calmly and watched gleefully as the woman's face went from confusion to shock.
"Y-y-you are M-miss Eighteen?" the brown-haired woman stammered.
"Yes, I'm Eighteen and I'd like you to help me deliver this letter for me. It's for my boyfriend Krillin!"
The clerk almost fainted as did several usual customers at the office, with one of them being a rather burly man on crutches who let out a loud "No fucking way!" at the back.
"U-uhh..."
"Is something the matter miss?" Eighteen narrowed her cat-like eyes at the clerk akin to a lioness studying her prey.
Krillin meanwhile could only shake his head at the conversation but knew better than to intervene. He knew the clerk was always very friendly to him but had the bad habit of doubting Eighteen.
Ah well...guess Eighteen must have overheard some of our conversations when she's in disguise...let's just hope sweetie wouldn't do anything too drastic...
"Uh no, not at all haha...it's a pleasure to help you Ms. Eighteen, now will there be anything else?"
"No, that's all thank you very much! Now I believe my Krillin also has something for me, isn't that right Kril?" Eighteen asked making sure to emphasize on the word "Kril" all the while unable to hide the satisfied smirk.
"Right sweetie!" Krillin chuckled slightly and gave his pen gal a peck on the cheek, a rather dangerous maneuver since she wasn't that kin on showing public affection but on this special occasion, the cyborg girl let it slip, her only reaction being the beautiful rosy color that emerged on her cheeks.
"Can you please mail this for me miss? It's for my girlfriend Eighteen!" at that, the brunette clerk promptly fainted as did the burly man whose body fell onto the pavement with a loud thud.
With satisfied smiles, the couple left the post office never to look back. The glistening sea water was crystal clear and reflected off the images of them holding hands as they headed for Kame House, their fingers wrapping around each other lovingly. While neither could foretell the future, they knew they have each other and that was enough for whatever destiny awaits them.
A/N: And here is the final chapter for the main story. I hope you all enjoyed this series. While I may add more than just one epilogue chapter, since there are still quite some more stories I want to explore, it is safe to say the epilogues won't be as tightly linked to the main chapters. Currently I have two epilogues in mind with one taking place many years later that describes how Marron sees her parents' letters. If there are any specific scenarios anyone want to read, do let me know.
Next I'd like to dedicate some space to my awesome reviewers.
Special thanks to Literal Winter who is here for me since the start of this story. Your quick and timely feedback allowed me to see any mistake I have made as well as making the planning of future chapters that much easier. There are a few story elements such as mentioning of future timeline that were added because of his feedback and I think this story is much better as a result. Thank you very much for your loyal support. While I'm sure this story will still be finished without your reviews, there's no way for it to be as well thought out as it is now.
A big thanks to SuperSimpleStuff. Before I read SuperSimpleStuff's reviews, I never knew someone can go that deep into a story and your extremely detailed reviews helped me spot some of the minor plotlines I have accidentally left out. In fact, I would imitate the amount of detail in your reviews in my own reviews later. Your special interest in Seventeen and the eagle have also encouraged me to utilize these two characters in my story more often. Needless to say, that long interview section wouldn't be there without your influence and I thank you for it.
A big thanks to SuperWG too whose reviews allowed me portray the characters better. There are a few ooc instances that were fixed thanks to you pointing them out to me. I'm also very grateful that you are willing to check the fixes I've made.
Last but not least thank you Kitty in the Box. Our discussion regarding chapter 15 allowed me to see I have steered this story too off course with it and because of you, I get to correct later chapters. You also pointed out the slow pace in earlier chapters, which motivated me to move things a bit faster.
Also thanks to all who have read this story throughout its journey. I had a blast writing this. As always I'm open to suggestions and critiques.