AN: Quick reminder, I'm putting the rating up within the next two or three chapters. Nothing untowards is happening in this chapter besides some potty language. So sensitive readers, you have a reprieve for now.
Enjoy. I don't own DB or DBZ.
Chapter 12 (Kame Island)
A knock on Bulma's door started her out of her studies. It was Ms. Briefs, coming to collect her for their shopping trip. The barbeque was the next day and Ms. Briefs insisted that she needed 'beach attire'. Bulma was more of a mind that she should be getting 'bedroom' attire, sexy enough to knock that pigheaded Saiyan of his high horse. He completely closed himself off from her - emotionally and mentally. Bulma didn't really understand what he was trying to prove, but if he was going to be an ass about it then Bulma would do everything she could to break his stubborn resolve, hence: the need for lingerie. However, Ms. Briefs assured her that the right bikini can have the exact same effect on a man than a pair of racy underwear does without having to seem desperate, so Bulma agreed to get them instead.
The new addition to the lab kept her busy for three days with the doctor, they made all sorts of interesting discoveries. In her true form, her telepathic voice could clearly be picked up by normal humans, but only those in the tank with her. In addition, her voice had a hypnotic effect on the submerged subjects, which caused amnesia immediately after they returned to outside the tank. Another discovery was that telepathic signal cannot travel through the glass of the tank, which presented quite a problem to say the least. Then there was her IQ test results.
Bulma's IQ test results scored her at 212 on the Spatial intelligence test - 9 points higher than Dr. Briefs. Other tests also proved a higher than average score on Bodily kinesthetic and Interpersonal intelligence tests. Dr. Briefs explained that these scores prove an aptitude in applied sciences and physical training as well as an aptitude for influencing people. The latter two Bulma could understand - as her military rank was a testament to them, but the former, highest aptitude was a pleasant surprise. More so to Dr. Briefs who was both delighted and disconcerted that her mind was being grossly underutilised in the scientific field. He immediately registered her for various online engineering courses and Bulma had been dividing her time between studying and lab experiments ever since. Other training all but forgotten.
Vegeta wasn't happy about it, but with a shrug, Bulma admitted that Vegeta's not happy about a lot of things.
Bulma was dressed in the Capsule Corp brands, wearing a red short halter dress, a red-yellow and black printed bomber jacket with a CC patch on it's breast-pocket and a pair of pointed brown boots in soft leather. The items were all bought in Panchi's boutique inside the part of the compound that was open to the public. As far as clothing goes, it wasn't bad at all, being that it was currently trending in all the major fashion circles. Ms Briefs, however insisted that she needed to be exposed to all the 'big brands', found in the mall, so off she went, dragging a confused Bulma with her in her red convertible hover-car. Panchi's designer clothes were know to be an international brand and not 'small' in any sense, but Bulma had decided that it's always best just to humor Ms. Briefs since she more often than not had her own unique way of reasoning.
"What about this one? You do look so fabulous in red." Ms. Briefs was holding up a red bikini set, with white polkadots and a bow that tied between one's breasts and on the hips of the bottoms.
"Yes" Bulma answered without hesitation. Ms. Briefs squealed in delight and added it to the pile. This was the third swimsuit she had acquired since they entered the mall. Bulma cringed, recognizing the start of an addiction.
"Alright, we have swimsuits, wraps, sunglasses, hats and flip flops. What do you think we should shop for next?"
"Jewelry" stated the mermaid, and Ms Briefs smiled brightly.
"A girl after my own heart." she said cheerily and lead Bulma to a new store.
Looking at the many jewelry pieces, Bulma was forced to admit that, compared to the craftsmanship and resources of her homeworld, human jewelry was far inferior. She suddenly wished for the breast cover she had bought on that last day in her own city - the one stolen from her. The domes of silver that covered her breasts were embedded with threads of crystal and pearls in diagonal waves. Where the embedded stones ended at the bottom of the silver plates, new threads started and dangled down her stomach from the edge of her breasts to her bellybutton in a V-shape. It was a work of art and not one of the pieces in the human stores even came close to its magnificence, Bulma thought sadly.
Mermaids didn't need much in terms of clothing, having the need to keep their glow scales uncovered in the darkness of their habitat, therefore all their craftsman's efforts at catering to feminine vanity often went into creating jewelry to adorn the natural beauty of lumo-patterns. Bulma ended up settling for a silver ruby-encrusted belly-chain and matching belly-ring to complete her beach ensemble. Back at the compound, the ladies parted before Bulma's room. Ms Briefs offered Bulma a quick kiss to the cheek, whispering a parting word of advice to the frustrated mermaid. Frustration that had its stem from none other than the surly Saiyan across the hall from her, who had outright refused to accompany her to the barbeque.
Well, Bulma thought the next afternoon, smirking at her reflection in the full-length mirror, not if I have anything to do with it. So taking Panchi's advice Bulma proceeded to make her way to the Gravity Trainer.
"Vegeta?" She called, knocking at the door. A series of bangs and whooshes was her only reply. She tried again, knocking louder and waiting a few more seconds. The gravity room powered down and moments later, the door slid open to reveal a barechested and slightly bruised Vegeta. He took one look at her attire and his eyes flew wide with shock. Bulma mouth twitched, but she resisted showing how pleased she was by his reaction. Before he could get a word in Bulma announced.
"I'm leaving soon. Are you sure you don't want to come?"
"Woman!" he sputtered, "just what the hell do you think you're wearing?"
"Beachwear" she stated coolly.
She saw his first clench and sensed the frustration coming off him in waves. He took a deep breath, which seemed to calm him somewhat before he continued:
"You have no idea of the kind of people who inhabit that island. Your clothing is entirely inappropriate."
"You're right - I don't know them, but from what I've observed I look just like any other human who plans on visiting the ocean so I don't see any problem."
"Woman, obey me in this sense and go and put on something more concealing." he stated, still attempting to be calm. The pompous prince really should not have been surprised by her answer, but not used to having his orders denied, his eyes all but bugged out when she answered:
"No. I don't feel like doing you any favors. If you insist on leaving me to my own devices, you have no say on what I do once I'm there."
"Bulma-" he warned, to which she calmly turned her back on him and walked back into the compound - the milky skin of her butt on display for the world to see in a tiny red and white polka-dotted bikini.
"Wait..." he said, to which she paused and peeked over her shoulder at him. Vegeta clenched his teeth, feeling thoroughly and absolutely manipulated. "I'll come along."
Her smile was blinding. She then reached into the hemp bag hanging at her side to withdraw a piece of cloth. He watched as she folded the fabric around her to form a wrap dress, throwing a very self-satisfied smirk his way.
Thoroughly and absolutely manipulated, Vegeta reiterated with a sigh and not a bit of pride, before flying up to his room to shower and change.
Step 1: accomplished, Bulma thought with a sneaky smile.
"...And just how exactly were you planning on attending this event without even knowing where the island is located?" Vegeta seethed a little later, Bulma resting happily in his arms while he flew at a moderately fast pace to the intended rendezvous.
"To be honest I was actually just counting on you to submit to my will and take me there." she stated plainly. Vegeta sighed.
"You are shameless."
"Only when it comes to getting what I want out of you." was her reply. Vegeta, stiffened, catching the double entendre in her tone. Catching her eyes, he couldn't miss the mischievous twinkle there. Averting them to avoid getting sucked in again, Vegeta changed the subject.
"You should be putting more effort into your energy and physical training - I can't fly you around forever."
"There are only so many hours in a day here on the surface - I can't do it all!" Bulma replied in exasperation.
"Flying is an essential skill, Woman. Make learning it a priority."
The rest of the trip was made in silence.
It's pink was the first thing that went through Bulma's mind upon landing on Kame Island. The island itself wasn't much - an oasis would better describe her location. A single double story pink wooden house was the only notable structure that stood on it and could be identified from miles away. Bulma hadn't had time to form more than that impression of the place before the other guests made themselves known.
"What's Vegeta doing he-" an unfamiliar hostile sounding voice was cut short, preceded by the appearance of a tall man in a orange gi - much like that of Kakarot's. He had a cross-shaped scar on his cheek and one across his brow on the opposite side of his face. Said face had been fierce when noting Vegeta, but became instantly slack-jawed upon locking eyes with her, which it seemed caused the interruption of his hostilities towards Vegeta. The scar faced human was quickly surrounded by the rest of his friends, which consisted of a short bald-headed man with six dots on his forehead wearing the same orange outfit, a skinny- grey-bearded, bald old man in sunglasses, an extremely white child with red cheeks and lastly, a tall, bald man with three eyes. Bulma also noticed a small blue cat-bear-thing floating at the scar-faced man's shoulder and a turtle crawling closer to investigate the commotion. Trying to hide her amusement at the unusual group, Bulma bowed low with her hands clasped in front of her, recalling the etiquette of the human culture. She didn't notice the widening male eyes all around as it pushed her breast together.
"My name is Bulma. Kakarot invited me. Nice to meet everyone."
Raising her head again, she was instantly face to chest with the old man in sunglasses.
"Well hello there sweet cheeks. It's very nice to meet you two as well." he said, lowering his glasses. His words confused Bulma at first. She looked to Vegeta, wondering if it was the first time he was being introduced to the team as well, when she noted the angry tick in his jaw. She followed his annoyed glare back to the old man whose eyes were still glued to her chest. With shock Bulma realised which 'two' he'd been referring to. Shock, however, was quickly replaced by indignation.
The dirty pervert. Bulma seethed, good first impression all but flew out of the window as the outraged mermaid flared her energy, creating a gust of wind that knocked the lecherous old man into the air and onto his head.
'I told you your clothing was inappropriate for this bunch of lowlifes, Woman.' Vegeta's voice trickled into her mind. After three days of silence from him, she really wished his first mental communication with her wasn't accompanied by a smug 'I told you so' tone. Deciding to ignore the gloating Saiyan, Bulma turned her attention back to the rest of the assembled group with 'not impressed' written all over her face.
The olive branch - as the humans called it - was extended by the short bald one. He chuckled nervously, rubbing his hairless head with one hand before stepping forward.
"Nice to meet you too Bulma. Sorry about our master - he's a little out of control when it comes to women, please forgive his forward behavior. I wish I could say it won't happen again, but I can't. Goku's wife usually brings her cooking pan along to keep him in check." he laughed before adding, "My name is Krillin. Welcome to Kame-island."
Not really getting the joke, Bulma glared at a contrite looking old man sitting in the sand, nodding stiffly in acceptance before relaxing marginally.
After that, amiable introductions were made all around. The scar-faced one was called Yamcha. His blue companion (who it turns out can talk) was named Puar. The turtle was just called Turtle - he could talk too, much to Bulma's amazement. The triclops was Tien, and the child was Chiaotzu. The pervert was called Master Roshi. The island belonged to him. Go figure. Besides the old man, the child and floating cat and the Turtle, the people before her were all strongly built - even the short one and Bulma wondered how strong they all actually were. They all seemed to be giving Vegeta a wide berth, even though they were currently fighting on the same side and Bulma recalled that Vegeta had killed quite a few of these warriors upon arriving on this planet. Despite being wished back with the Dragon Balls, it seemed bad blood still still existed between the Saiyan Prince and Earth's fighting force. It's probably to be expected, Bulma admitted. Old battles aren't that easily forgotten. Vegeta seemed confident enough though, in his own strength so Bulma wasn't really worried.
Small talk was quickly initiated as the group gravitated towards the grill.
"So, Bulma, where are you from?" Krillin asked.
"I currently reside in Capsule Corp, along with Vegeta. I'm helping doctor Briefs with some of his research." she replied.
"No way, you two live together?" This was Yamcha, referring to Vegeta. "How can you stand it?" his tone was laced with disgust. Bulma frowned, disconcerted, and turned to look for Vegeta, starting to understand his reasons for not wanting to come. She found him sitting with his back to a palm tree, staring at the surf. Next to him was a figure she hadn't noticed until then. With leaf green skin and prominently pointed ears, he was easy to miss among the island's sparse greenery. He was wearing a white turban and cape and was busy levitating a few inches off the ground with his eyes closed.
"Who's that?" she asked instead, deciding to ignore Yamcha and his open hostility towards Vegeta. She didn't fault him his malice, but that didn't mean she had to like it either.
"Oh, that's Piccolo" Krillin answered. "He comes from the planet Namek. He's also one of Earth's warriors… well, he is now. Before the Saiyans arrived he wanted to kill Goku as badly as Vegeta does. Would you believe that most of us here started off as Goku's enemies yet somehow we all ended up fighting by his side. It's the darndest thing." he noted.
It really was, Bulma agreed. From her point of view it seemed like Kakarot - or Goku rather - brings out both the worst and the best in people. Quite an interesting character indeed. Seeing an opportunity, Bulma asked:
"What about you, Yamcha? Did you want to kill Goku too?"
"Uh…" he stuttered, "Well, technically I guess you can say that. I was a desert bandit before I met Goku and I attacked him. Knocked him out too." he said with no little pride.
"And Tien?"
"Tien used to be an assassin, but he only planned to kill Goku during the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament. He changed his mind when he met him, though."
"You seem to bare no ill will against Tien, though. I find that a tad hypocritical"
Yamcha seemed confused. "What are we talking about?"
"I'm just saying that if all of you, at some point in time were enemies of Goku, who's always been some sort of hero from what I've gathered. You should - how do you humans say - cut some slack to those who are newly turned allies. Glass houses and all.."
"...Glass houses? What? Humans? Wait - you're not human?"
"Oh Neptune, I can see you're not too bright so let me put this plainly." she said, her tone darkening, "Lay off Vegeta - he's training to save all of your asses in two and a half years time. You should be grateful instead of sending him pissy glares every few seconds."
At this point she was full up in his face and his eyes were saucers. The gathered group had gone dead silent and Vegeta was at her side, arms crossed and a cool smirk on his face.
"Don't waste your breath, Bulma. The opinions of these imbeciles mean nothing to me. Now, if you're done antagonising our allies - pathetic as they may be - we can leave at any time."
Krillin was the first to snap out of his stupor. He did this by punching Yamcha in the arm.
"Your hospitality skills suck, dude" he griped before turning to Bulma. "You're right, of course. Those with glass houses shouldn't throw stones. We all were, at one point in Vegeta's gold-tipped boots so to say, so we really have no right to treat Vegeta like an outcast because of past behavior. You don't have to leave. Goku invited you for a reason - you obviously know about the androids so I'm guessing you're training for their arrival too. It's important to know your allies. Stay."
"Speak for yourself" this time it was Tien who piped up. Yamcha was staring at the ground, looking suitably embarrassed. "Vegeta's past has nothing to do with our hatred of him. The guy's still a major dick - and he still wants to kill Goku."
"You wouldn't know a major dick if it were staring you in the face." Vegeta shot back tauntingly, before turning a suggestive eye on Chiaotzu.
"Why should we show any kindness to someone who'd never return the favor" said Chiaotzu at Tien's side.
"Yeah!" Yamcha jumped in as well. Bulma was just about to take Vegeta up on his offer and leave. Certain that she probably ruined the party for everyone when Krillin jumped in too.
"Hey now wait a minute! First of all - so what if Vegeta wants to kill Goku? You all know Goku - he would probably welcome the challenge. I swear that guy isn't really satisfied if someone out there isn't trying to kill him." This invoked a reluctant chuckle from Yamcha. Tien just sniffed grudgingly.
"Secondly, I'm sure all Bulma was trying to say is that we should stop treating Vegeta like a pariah, regardless of how you feel about him we're still on the same side, right Bulma?" he then asked her.
Bulma, long since exasperated with this argument, just nodded her acceptance.
"So will you stay then? I know we all got of on the wrong foot here, but we're really not that bad. Stick around and you'll see. You did come all the way."
Sighing, Bulma nodded her assent once more. Reluctantly curious about this group of ramshackle fighters. To Vegeta, she silently sent.
'He's right you know: these are my allies and I need to know the mettle of the men I'm fighting with if it ever comes to that… I think I should stay.'
'Suit yourself' was his abrupt reply before he returned to his seat next to the floating green man from Namek, joining him in his meditation.
"So," Bulma started, after the awkward silence seemed to stretch on a bit too long for her liking, "Where is Kaka- I mean Goku?"
"Late, as usual" Yamcha said with a good natured laugh. "How did you meet him? I'm always amazed at the type of people Goku seems to befriend at the oddest of places."
"Oh.. he just kind of appeared in front of me." This was received by chuckles all around.
"Yeah," Krillin said "he does that lately. Caught me on the John once." more laughs.
"He showed up in the shower at my place" Yamcha confessed with a look of horror on his face.
"He really has this uncanny ability of showing up at the worst moments" Krillin said and Bulma blushed remembering how true that statement was.
A few more ticks of silence were broken again by Yamcha.
"Hey Bulma, can I ask you something?"
"You just did" Bulma deadpanned.
"Oh… anyway, I was wondering," he hesitated, "what you meant when you referred us as 'you humans'? Are you not human?"
The three of them were sitting in beach chairs, Krillin and Yamcha each had a beer in their hands and Tien and Chiaotzu were at the grill taking care of a giant roasting fish and chatting cheerily. Yamcha's question seemed to catch their attention too for they were also suddenly watching her keenly. Bulma cleared her throat, suddenly uncomfortable.
"I'm a mermaid." she confessed. This was followed by Yamcha snorting beer from his nose.
"Seriously?" Krillin asked, his beer had luckily been a safe distance from his mouth when Bulma stated her confession.
"Yeah" she answered.
"So you'll sprout a tail if you hit the ocean now?"
"More or less" she nodded.
"Neat." he said, watching her with new appraisal. Yamcha, too was looking at her differently, once he had done all he could do to fix his beer-stained clothes.
"I really wouldn't mind seeing that" she heard Roshi's voice. Bulma sat up, curious as to where it was coming from. The perverted martial arts master had been curiously missing since their first unpleasant encounter. Looking around, Bulma caught a glint of something shiny from a bush on the far side of the tiny island and her eyes narrowed skeptically. An unpleasant shiver made its way down her spine, prompting her to go an investigate the disturbance. She didn't take two steps when she noted to figures dash from behind the suspicious bush, running for the house. One was obviously Roshi and the other looked like; and Bulma shook her head slightly to ascertain that her eyes were indeed seeing what she thought they were: a pig... in clothes.
What?
As they dashed for the house Bulma spotted a mysterious black object flying in the opposite direction and land in the sand. Bulma immediately went to retrieve it, finding it to be a pair of binoculars once she reached its location. Seething inside at the implication of her find, it took a great amount of control to do what she did next.
"Hey Master Roshi, I think you forgot your goggles" she said in the cheeriest voice she could muster and stood waiting with a pleasant smile on her face while the sly sensei slinked from his hiding place. When he was close enough, she reached to offer him his binoculars, watching evilly as he reached back. Before his hopeful face, she squeezed, crushing the item in her fist and dropped the pieces into the waiting master's hand, still with a bright smile on her face. This time her delight was genuine as she watched the fat tears run down Roshi's face.
"These were my best pair" he muttered tearfully. In her peripheral she caught movement and turned to see the pig, his hand stretched out sorrowfully towards the heap of broken binoculars.
"Who's your friend Roshi - he looks delicious. Gonna pop him on the grill too?" she asked evilly
He really did pop then, much to Bulma's surprise, into a cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared he was gone and Bulma saw the tail end of a retreating snake.
Bulma looked, wide eyed to where Krillin and Yamcha sat - holding their stomachs as they laughed. Her confusion must have shown because Krillin managed to wheeze out: "shapeshifter" before exploding into more laughter.
"That was Oolong" Krillin said later, once he got his breath back… "and not to mention hilarious. I don't think even Chichi had the sense to thwart him as thoroughly as you did just now. She usually just whacks him with her wok."
"Thank you" Bulma said proudly before adding "Who's Chichi?"
"Goku's wife"
"Oh"
"You'll meet her soon, I think. I sense Goku and Gohan approaching from the East. They're flying relatively slow so that must mean Chichi is with them."
"And Gohan is..." she prompted.
"Goku's son: cute little tyke and really strong too."
"I didn't know Goku has a family." she said softly.
"Yeah, one wouldn't immediately assume just looking at him, more so if you actually know him. We were quite surprised when he showed up on the island one day with four year Gohan. We didn't even believe he knew what sex was. Last time I was aware, he thought marriage was some kind of food." Krillin laughed, a tinge of red on his cheeks. Bulma decided that she liked him. He was kind and sweet - not at all what she'd come to know of warriors. It was a pleasant surprise. Marron would adore him. She thought, with a sad pang in her heart. She missed her twin. It's probably why she took so quickly to Ms. Briefs. They are very alike. Quickly as the thought came she banished it once again. Bulma was sure that she would be reunited with her family and friends some day again, but until the threat of the androids have passed she couldn't indulge any thoughts of them. She would go crazy if she did. Focus on one mission at a time, Bull Shark. She reminded herself before settling back into the present.
The day was still long and there was still 'Step 2' of seduce the Saiyan to attend to. Looking around, Bulma assessed the potential subjects to the next step in her plan.
It couldn't be Krillin - she liked him too much.
Tien was too aloof…
Yamcha. She caught his eyes and found him staring at her. He quickly looked away - a blush forming on his cheeks: perfect.
With practiced grace Bulma shrugged out of her wrap dress, revealing the polka-dotted bikini underneath.
"Hey Yamcha," she said, sauntering over to his side. "I feel like doing some tanning. Would you oil me up please?" The tomato faced man nodded mutely and Bulma smirked slyly. Let's see how long you're able resist me after this, Saiyan. She thought, pointedly not looking in his direction. She did however pick up when his temper started to simmer.
AN: So I had to cut this one off. Got distracted again with all sorts of stuff I didn't plan on putting in this chappie and left no space for what I actually did. When inspiration strikes, who'm I to ignore her? Muses are fickle creatures after all and it's not good to rush them...