The Torment 4: womanhood
Disclaimer: DBZ and Ranma ½ belong to people other than me. This is the fourth chapter in what promises to be a very strange story, but love will conquer all! On behalf of the moon, for love and justice, I will finish this darn fic, and someday, be sane again! Thus, I swear!
The training that Piccolo put Videl through was rough, even if it did last only a few days. They also had some arguments.
"I'm sorry Piccolo, its regulation for the tournament. You're going to have to wear it," Videl explained patiently, holding the offending object out in front of her.
"But why do I have to wear it?" asked Piccolo-chan. They were in the girls' changing rooms before the tournament, and Videl was holding out a breast protector.
"I said they were regulation. I gotta wear one too, y'know. And no ki blasts. You have to use only your fists and feet for this one."
Piccolo-chan looked very ticked off at that, but didn't reply. Instead, she heaved a put-upon sigh, and started to put the BP on, when Videl said, "NOT like that!"
Piccolo-chan stopped short, confused. Videl opened up Piccolo-chan's gi top. She gagged a little when she saw that she wasn't wearing a bra.
"Piccolo, you- you aren't wearing-" sputtering, she dashed over to her locker, and pulled out one of her sport's bras. She then noticed her partner's smell.
"I don't think that is a new weapon you have come up with," she grimaced. "But it is offensive enough." Piccolo-chan didn't have time to protest as she was rushed to one of the showers.
Videl had her stripped in minutes, and started scrubbing hard. It was hard for her not to stare. Piccolo-chan was as well muscled female as male, but not in an ugly way. It made her look like a nice statue.
She's prettier than me, Videl thought in amazement. This started another wicked idea…
Washing her hair, and drying her off quickly, she plaited the extremely long mass up, and then coiled it around her head. Pinning it, she pulled the bemused Piccolo before a mirror, and started to put make-up on her.
As she applied the barest touches of lip gloss and eye makeup, Piccolo-chan muttered, "Is this regulation, too?"
"Uh-huh," she lied cheerfully, and dragged Piccolo-chan out to the ring.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There were several catcalls and whistles that accompanied the duo into the ring. Piccolo-chan looked around, grateful that the whistles couldn't hurt her anymore, but that didn't mean she liked it any better. She remembered how Master Roshi would act around females, and considering their reaction; it was not a way that they liked to be treated. And the shouts coming from the crowds did not make her happy in the least.
"Why are they acting like that?" she hissed at Videl, who also looked disgusted.
"Oh, them," she snarled, looking at the leering and jeering males. "They can't stand the fact that a lot of the girls competing today are better than they are. They also like to see girls fighting. For some reason they find it to be a turn on. I've competed, and beaten, most of those over there." She jerked her thumb over at a particularly loud group that was booing along with the catcalls. There were also signs saying that for a good time, call Videl, and other things.
"I got the impression from Gohan that you are fairly respected," Piccolo-chan answered quietly.
"Oh, I am, by most, in fact. But there are a group of men like those boys that think a girl should never fight. If she does, something is wrong with her," she added, then looked away, and cracked her knuckles. "I told them to stay away from this fight."
Piccolo-chan was confused for a moment, when she and Videl waited their turn.
Confusion about girls was something she found a lot recently. She had assumed that girls either had not liked fighting, or that they had been too weak.
If they weren't, why had she heard so much that denounced them?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
All the fighters were low level, that much she was certain of, but it surprised her how much technique went into the girls' fighting. She noticed other things that surprised her. There was the lack of aggressiveness, or rather cockiness, which she had always noticed when males fought. These women were not weak, but it was more sport, a friendly thing, than what she was used to.
Not that there wasn't competition, or anger. There were as many injuries as at the World Martial Arts tournament, but there was an apology that came readily. It was strange.
Then it was Videl's turn, and Piccolo-chan had to admire her form. For a human, she was excellent.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hey, Videl," said a familiar voice behind Piccolo-chan when their final match was over. It was a given that they would win, and amid the tears of the losers, there was also actual congratulations from them. Strange.
Turning, she saw Gohan there. Piccolo-chan froze.
Videl grinned hugely at the black haired cutie. She jumped into his arms, and he gave her an awkward hug.
The startled look on Gohan's face was priceless when Videl pulled away.
Clearing his throat, Gohan's eyes searched for something to latch onto, and found Piccolo-chan.
Their eyes met, and locked for a moment.
Gohan choked suddenly, and Videl ended up clapping him hard on the back.
"Are you okay?" she asked, worried.
Nodding, he straightened up, and looked again at Piccolo-chan.
"I didn't catch your name, miss," Gohan said politely and bowed.
Piccolo-chan froze briefly, then answered," Hajimemashite. Ah-"
"This is Clarinet," said Videl quickly, and Piccolo-chan felt oddly grateful.
"Hai, hai, my name is Clarinet."
"Well, I have some friends who are planning a victory dinner for me," Videl said slyly, looking at the awkward situation. "I had better be going!" Videl disappeared so fast that you might have thought she teleported.
The two stared at each other, then at Videl's retreating back. When the moment couldn't get any more stiffer, Gohan's stomach roared.
It was time for the famous Son smile, and embarrassed laugh.
"I think I'm a little hungry," Gohan admitted. "Uh, you want to come and get some food?"
Piccolo-chan grimaced, knowing how much he tended to eat, but fortunately, he did it with a bit more grace than most.
"Okay."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
There was a certain fascination that came with watching someone eat. Piccolo-chan had to admit that to herself as she saw Gohan seem to inhale plate after plate of food.
"Aren't you going to eat something?" asked Gohan after his eighth helping of burgers and fries.
They had gone to a nearby burger place. It was a nice little diner, where they were sitting in one of the few booths, while all the other patrons sat on stools at the bar.
Food? She thought, but the smells coming from his plate did seen very attractive for some reason…
I don't eat, she argued to herself. Just ask for some water.
"I don't think so, could I have something to drink?" she tried to ask politely. Mouth stuffed, in a way that seemed cute all of a sudden, Gohan said," Ms.?" He gestured over to a waitress. "Could I have a chocolate shake?"
"Ah, I was just going to get some water- you didn't have to get me anything else-"
"Oh, its okay," he told her, thinking that she was being shy. "You just won the tournament. My treat."
A helpless look crossed Piccolo-chan's face as she eyed the chocolate mild shake with suspicion. It had been placed in front of her, in its innocuous waxed cup, and she carefully picked up the straw. She had seen what Gohan had done with it earlier. Took off the paper, and stuck it in the lid…
Okay, that's done, now what?
Gohan had put the straw in his mouth, and his cheeks looked like he was sucking, so-
Piccolo-chan let out a sigh. It was a liquid, she could give it a try…
The coldness hitting her mouth was a shock; it was followed by a feeling of creaminess and smoothness, and a pleasant sensation coming from her tongue. Sniffing, she noticed that the smell was sweet. Sweet. That was what the taste was… and something indescribable along with it.
Her stomach rumbled, doing a passable imitation of Goku's. "Here," mumbled Gohan, handing her his plate. It had half of his hamburger, which had been cut in two, and several fries left. Emboldened by the shake, Piccolo-chan decided to try this too.
She picked up a fry, and took a bite. Good.
Piccolo-chan blinked. The fries were gone.
So was the hamburger, and she was licking her fingers.
"That was good," she mumbled, her mouth still full. Swallowing, she added," Arigatoo gozaimasu."
"Your welcome," Gohan said, beaming, his face split into a smile. Hesitantly, she smiled back. For some reason the smile felt so much easier than she thought it would have been.
"Your fighting style looked a lot alike someone else's I know," Gohan then said, making conversation. This started a pleasant discussion on style and technique, one that was far nicer than the ones that they had had earlier, when all Piccolo would do was order and Gohan would obey.
Gohan then started asking questions about her past, and Piccolo-chan had to think quickly. What would she tell him?
"I need to go," she said, and started for the door.
"How are you getting home?" asked Gohan trailing her.
"I'm walking."
"Do you want company?"
"No," she said bluntly, turning to face him. She had stopped so suddenly that he collided with her.
This turned interesting, because he had had his hands out, and they hit her chest.
"What?" said Piccolo-chan when she noticed that her chest was so tender.
Gohan realized what he had done, and nearly ran off.
Piccolo-chan just stood there, arms at her side, confused.
"What just happened?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gohan had never been so embarrassed in his life. He had felt sorry for Clarinet when she had been so abruptly abandoned by Videl, and had enjoyed her company.
What the hell had happened? He had-
His face flamed, and he flew home.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dende was reading through several of the scrolls that Mr. Popo had brought him. Many were so old that the writing wasn't legible. Others had huge pieces missing. He was trying his best to find out the origin of the Springs, and find out who had created them, etc, etc. So far, he was out of luck.
Dende had been at this for about a month now, and he winced at the thought. Piccolo was helping, but there wasn't much he could do. Although, Dende thought wryly, Clarinet had been having a much easier time. As a girl, she had been able to get into different libraries and see if there was anything of use in them.
It had given her a strange chance, as well. She was getting to know Gohan in a way that she hadn't before, as a friend and equal. He had been over to Videl's to visit, and Videl had blackmailed Piccolo-chan into something else. More training.
Dende smiled to himself. I wonder what will happen next?
He should have learned never to think that.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"I FOUND IT!" shouted a voice.
Piccolo looked up from the ancient, moldy tome he had been reading to look over at Videl. She was pumping her fist in the air like she had won something grand, and started to do a little victory dance.
Not being completely heartless, she had started helping Piccolo look for a cure that could be used earlier than the dragon balls, which had been used in the beginning of the year. They had been used to reverse the effects of young Goten's temper one afternoon, wiping out a huge expanse of a mountain range.
Now, they had to wait another ten months, and Piccolo didn't think he might last that long without someone finding out. Videl seemed to delight in finding ways to embarrass him, although she had proven helpful at times. It was just plain confusing. Again.
"Here it is, a ladle that can lock a person in the shape they are in permanently!"
"So, how does that help the situation?" Piccolo asked suspiciously.
"Duh, Piccolo," she said, rolling her eyes. Piccolo sighed in exasperation.
"It means that if you are a Namek at the time, you'll stay that way. I think this thing tells how to find it, and we can go get it."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dende was looking through his scrying pool to find the ladle. Not a problem, he thought to himself when he found it right away.
It was in a local museum. It was in a showcase that they would be holding on ancient artifacts. They would be describing and using various objects… It would be easy for two girls to sneak in.
"Why am I having to wear this again?" asked Piccolo-chan, coming out from one of the many rooms in the Lookout. She was wearing a really cute miniskirt; a light top with a plunging neckline that would have given the rest of the Z senshi nosebleeds and Master Roshi would have had an aneurysm. Her hair was done up in a simple clip, half up, half down, and curled loosely. The makeup on her face was done well enough that unless you knew what to look for, it was invisible.
"You're prettier than me, and you need to make some kind of distraction while I steal the ladle. I checked the program, and it said that the person in charge a man. You flirt, I'll snatch, you go back to being your handsome self all the time, end of story."
"Flirt?"
Videl looked at the confused girl, and sighed. "Oh, dear."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"And this particular piece came from the late era…," droned the annoying man at the podium. Piccolo-chan wondered if she was going to loose her mind, or fall asleep, or both. This pompous kisama didn't have freaking idea of what he was talking about- The memories that Piccolo-chan had from being Kami told her enough about that.
She shuddered at the thought. She had enough identity problems without thinking about that.
There, she saw Videl behind the curtain, hovering above the stage.
That was her cue.
"Sir?" she asked, trying to sound innocent and curious, and stood, raising her hand.
The stuffy professor looked up, and saw a very pretty girl standing there, hand in the air, short skirt, tight top, and got a nose bleed.
Kuso, Piccolo-chan thought in amazement. It actually works…
"Oops!" she squealed, faked a fall, and to her amazement just about every male leapt out of his seat to help her.
"Are you all right?" cried several voices, among various sounds of protest from the females, as many men rushed to help her up.
Only one didn't immediately.
He was going to help Clarinet when he noticed someone at the exhibit.
"Hey, stop!" he yelled, as that person grabbed a certain ladle and made a run for it. She was wearing a black hood and clothing, and was running with more speed than human speed.
Her ki is so familiar, Son Gohan thought, taking off after the hooded thief.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NO! Piccolo-chan yelled mentally as Gohan ran after Videl. She wouldn't have a prayer.
Getting up without any help, she left a trail of boys behind her that had passed out- they had gotten a glimpse of her bra through her shirt…
Running, all three made their way out of the museum, and into the plaza outside, a place filled with fountains. Jumping frantically to make a getaway, Videl leapt over a particularly large and deep pool. That was when Gohan caught her.
His arms wrapped around her waist, and she fell in. She dropped the ladle.
Desperately, she made a wild kick, which he avoided. He then grabbed the ladle, now full of water, and swung it at her, reflexively. Water went everywhere.
There was a hoarse scream from behind the two combatants.
Turning, they saw a drenched Piccolo-chan. Her face was frozen in a rictus of shock.
Videl took the opportunity to get away, and Gohan went over to Piccolo-chan.
"Clarinet, you okay?"
She didn't answer; she just stared at him.
Then he got a nosebleed, because her shirt was soaked.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Why me?" groaned Piccolo-chan, as for the fourth time, she heated water with her ki and nothing happened when she poured it on herself. She was up on the Lookout again, and Dende was standing next to her apologetically. The yelling and cursing and threats were already over with, and suddenly Piccolo-chan started sneezing.
The wind was cold, and Piccolo-chan was soaked to the bone with all the water she had been dumping on herself. The cold air had turned the water icy, and she had started to shiver.
"I am so sorry, Piccolo-san," they heard a voice say, and there was Videl.
She was still wearing black, and looked like she was a puppy expecting a beating.
"I guess we'll just have to wait on the Dragon Balls," said Dende, who blanched when Piccolo-chan growled at him.
Piccolo-chan couldn't keep the growling up for long, and was moaning when she started to get up. She felt dizzy.
"Holy kuso!" shouted Videl. "Catch her!"
To be continued…