Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is owned by Rumiko Takahashi and Viz video. I don't
own Dragonball Z either! If any of the situations described below mirror
those of actual events then you're living in a fantasy world.
A Chance Love Productions
Is proud to present
A Human Saiyajin
By Michael Fetter
And Kazblah
Chapter Four
As Cell disappeared into the horizon, a more subdued group of fighters headed for the fallen redhead. The island was a complete wreck after her battle with the might Cell and it was mirrored in the condition of her body. There were cuts from the rocks, blood rolling down her arms and forehead. The girl's face was mostly in the dirt, tears cleaning tracks down her dirty cheeks. But the worst part was not her physical injuries, but the fiery spirit, which had been crushed against the same mountain.
Kuillin came forward to roll the girl into his arms so that her head was held against his shoulder for support. He didn't like the feeling. Unlike the first time, Ranko's body was completely loose, like he had lifted a truly dead body. "Hang on, Ranko. We'll get you taken care of."
Vegita, weakened and sore, simply regarded the girl through his good eye, holding onto his hurt arm. "It was foolish of you to believe your puny power could have defeated Cell. Now look at you, you are completely useless."
Shocked by the callousness of his father, Trunks bristled, "Father!"
"Vegita," Kuillin growled, he so wanted to hurt the Saiyajin sometimes.
Ranko didn't bother to answer. She couldn't even if she had the power to. She couldn't see the man, couldn't move her head, couldn't move her lips to shout out or scream. So, what does she do now? That battle had taken all of her energy to attempt to keep up with the monster. Holding the invisibility technique had been exhausting. Ranko was surprised she could even throw a Hiryu Shouten Ha the way she did. Cell had not been the only one to be surprised. After tossing up her uppercut and waiting a few seconds in the following silence Ranko had been almost certain that she had completely failed.
"Forget it," Kuillin scowled and started floating upwards slowly, "Let's just get her back to Kami's."
"I'll take her, Kuillin," Trunks held out his hands. He felt like he needed to do this, he did not know why, only a feeling burning deep within his chest. Was it because of his father, how he mocked her when she was obviously down? Or maybe it was through his own guilt. He was by far more powerful then she was, yet backed down when it was convenient for him. Compared to the iron-willed redhead, he felt like a fool, a fake of a martial artist, a coward.
Snorting, Vegita drifted into the sky, his speed greatly reduced after the battle made him appear to be limping along. He took an occasional look back at his future son, gently cradling the girl as they flew, and contemplated Ranko's powers. He'd never seen anyone fight like that before. A girl and a weakling she may be, but still a fighter worthy of some respect.
The flight back was quiet.
On the island, Piccolo, Tien, Yamcha, and the rest were also silent. They had felt the battle by gauging the power levels of the fighters involved. Without being there, they knew Cell was a great deal more powerful than he had been.
Trunks landed easily in the courtyard and placed Ranko limply on the ground. Her head fell to one side and remained there, staring off into nothingness, her expression unreadable.
As the Z-fighters began to discuss what had happened with Cell, Dende kneeled down beside Ranko. "Don't worry, Ranko-san," he smiled gently and placed glowing hands over her chest, "you'll be all right, I promise."
Still Ranko stared off into the distance shutting out the world. A girl, she thought, just a weak little girl.
~
Cell smirked as he continued to fly over the earth. He was going to have so much fun toying with Goku and his band of fighters. In his perfect form there was no one capable of hurting him. He was the strongest, fastest, and most powerful fighter in the universe. He was the greatest and most beautiful too. The gene-coded instructions still forced him to confront pitiful creatures like Son Goku, but he wouldn't mind. They would be useful guinea pigs to test out his powers against.
A city rolled by and pedestrians gasped in fright as he flew overhead. Cell pulled back on his supersonic speed, the wake of destruction diminished to only a low rumbling. He continued down the streets until stopping and coming to a full rest at the building he was looking for. Z Broadcasting was written over the large revolving sign out front and several large antennas were set on the roof of the thirty-floor building. "Excellent."
The lobby broke out with shrieks as he entered. Cell calmly strode up to the information desk and gave the weak-kneed girl a menacing smile. "Which floor do they broadcast the news from? I have a big scoop."
Trembling in her chair, the woman looked at her meeting book. "Ap-p-p- pointment?"
Cell smirked again.
~
Sitting down against the same pillar as before, Ranko watched the sun begin to fall, blue skies fading to red as though the world had suffered deep cuts and now bled over the atmosphere. Since Dende had somehow treated her crippling injuries, she had drawn into herself. The battle against Cell played in her mind and no matter how she looked at it, criticized herself over it, she continued to come back with the same conclusion. This time, power decided the victor.
Ranko had never thought to admit this before. Until Cell and the Z- fighters, Ranko had always been able to believe in her abilities to somehow overcome any obstacle, but this level of power could not be circumvented with fancy moves or new techniques. What good was a new technique against someone who's body could resist pressure point attacks, brush off the most powerful ki attacks she had ever thrown, and even only been slightly irritated by her Neko-ken.
Ranko had seen it this time. Her battle with Cell, before he had completely evolved, Ranko had been unaware of tapping into the Neko-ken the way she had. It was not induced by fear like usual, but by a need from her focused rage. Rage. Maybe that was the true terror of the neko-ken. It can only be truly utilized when there was nothing left to loss. Like a wounded cat backed into a corner. No, it wasn't rage that triggered the neko-ken. It was pure unadulterated hatred. Hatred for all the bullies that picked on the weak, hatred for people who killed for the thrill of it, hatred for Cell. Ranko had never known herself to give into such dark emotions. Even against Saffron she'd only been angry for a short time, there had still been a semblance of hope within her. Now all that hope was gone.
Hope that she could save Akane.
Not this time. Akane was dead.
Her family was dead.
Her friends were dead.
Ranma was dead. All hope fled as she watched Ryouga fall before the might that is Cell.
Then this overwhelming feeling hit her, it was a feeling that she had never known until this day. It wasn't sadness, the numbness in her body refused to acknowledge sadness. It wasn't anger, she felt angry before and this wasn't it. It was a rage, an inferno in her soul, but even this did not trigger the neko-ken. It was shame; the hate she felt was directed at herself for not being able to save her loved ones when it really counted.
But now, with Cell so powerful Ranko could feel her spirit flow away in the wind, like Death had stretched out his bony hands and pulled it within his dark cloak. The rage that gave Ranko power was leaving her. Only depression and horrid sadness of her complete failure remained.
It has been said that when it really counted, Saotome Ranma did not fail, but Saotome Ranma had died. Now Ranko had been defeated and it was a fate worse than death. She had to live, to go on, reliving her failure over and over again.
The wind sifted by with a scent of food. Ranko picked up her head slightly regarding the other fighters as they gorged themselves, and found her own appetite completely lacking.
Some of the fighters glanced in her direction. Trunks and Kuillin looked at her with a worried look. They had kept Piccolo and Vegita away when they demanded to know how she had fought against Cell. What sort of answer did they expect from her? Even if she told them, none had shown the intelligence to be able to pick up her ki techniques to use against Cell. Not in ten days time.
Ranko studied the fighters again. Searching for something she had missed the previous times. Powerful though they were, and fast too, damn fast. But in terms of pure skill alone, Akane could have taken them 3 times out of 5. Of course, Akane was better than Cell too, not by much but that hadn't saved her. But these fighters, they were arrogant because of their strength. They had likely spent most of their time building their ki reserves without concentrating on how to use it more effectively. The only thing Ranko had seen were ki blasts of the same type over and over again. Sure, certain blasts were more powerful, but they were all basic, emotion- driven powers. Some of them had been interesting, like Vegita's Big Bang Attack he used on Cell, but the flaw in the technique was that it drained a person out.
Power may be a major factor in the fight against Cell, but brute force against a superior brute force was a foolish idea.
"Ranko-san?"
Ranko's eyes focused in on the world and found the platinum haired boy standing in front of her with a bowl of food. Trunks offered it to her and Ranko stared for a moment. What was the use? It was better to just let herself fade away for all the good she could do now.
"No thanks, I lost my appetite" Ranko said coldly.
Trunks frowned and set the bowl of food down beside Ranko when she turned away. Her clothes were burnt and torn in places and the pigtail had come undone partially. "Are you going to be okay?"
Vegita had watched from the table with the others. "Don't bother with the little girl. Let her cry for all the good it would do."
"Do you see me crying?" Ranko quietly replied. "I don't even have the energy to do that."
Crouching down, Trunks put his hand on Ranko's shoulder to lend some support. "I know you've lost a lot. The same happened to me, but you have to find a way to go on, until you can fight Cell again."
"Fight him?" Ranko brushed his hand away and stared into Trunks' eyes. "There is no fighting him for me. I could never become as strong as that monster."
"Just like a woman," Vegita sneered.
"Vegita," Kuillin growled as he stood up from his seat. The others were also glaring at the Saiyajin prince.
Staring hard into the older Saiyajin's eyes, Ranko asked, "Who are you to talk?"
"I am Vegita," he began with a growl and pride. "Prince of all Saiyajins."
"Great, another prince," Ranko muttered.
"Don't listen to him, Ranko-san. It's okay to grieve over your losses." Trunks spoke sympathetically.
Ranko stared at the darkening sky over her knees as she rested her chin on her folded arms. The sun continued to retreat, the stars above hidden by a canopy of dense, black clouds. She couldn't grieve for her family. There hadn't been time before and now . . . inside she felt just as dead as they were. Shaking her head, "Pathetic."
"No," Trunks said quickly, "you're not."
Ranko's shoulders began to shake. It looked as if she might start sobbing into her arms. But then she erupted with laughter, she laughed so hard she began to cough from a rough throat. Then staring up at Trunks with contempt, "You think I was talking about myself?"
Trunks took a step back from the hate in her eyes. Others at the table became disturbed by her condescending inspection.
"You think I'm weak and insignificant because I haven't got the muscle or the power you have?" Ranko laughed at Vegita's scowl. "Compared to you," her eyes went over each of the assembled fighters, "compared to any of you I'm the strongest fighter here."
"And how's that?" Vegita snorted.
Still giggling lightly, Ranko looked over Yamcha, Kuillin, and Trunks. "The first rule of a martial artist is to protect the weak. It doesn't say to protect the weak when it's convenient. You are so much more powerful than I am, but when faced against Cell, what do you do?"
Trunks reflexivly turned away.
"You hide behind a 'weak little girl'," Ranko taunted in an impression of Vegita's tone.
"Faced with a life or death battle, a real fighter goes in prepared to sacrifice everything," Ranko glared at Piccolo this time. She saw him putting 18 on the ropes with his superior power. If he had truly intended to destroy the android before Cell could absorb her, then he would have. Instead the battle had been drawn out. Piccolo had several opportunities to simply lay into 18 and destroy her.
"I may have an ego," Ranko continued, looking at Vegita, "but at least I know when to leave it behind." She could hear Vegita grounding his teeth from where she stood and smiled nastily at him. Then her eyes settled upon Kuillin. "And when it comes to saving lives I do whatever it takes to win. Rather than crush our best chance beneath my feet."
Kuillin stared wide-eyed at the redhead. "Y-You s-saw that?" he squeaked.
"What's she talking about, Kuillin?" Trunks asked.
The bald monk stared down at the ground, humiliated.
"Kuillin?" Tien repeated and then it occurred to him. "Kuillin, where is Bulma's auto-destruct remote she had finished?"
The silence was enough to answer the question for everyone.
"I couldn't hurt her."
Ranko seethed. He couldn't hurt 'her'! The android wasn't a person, it was a thing! Ranko could understand at one time not wanting to hurt a girl, but even she had foregone the principle when the situation was serious. But this was disgusting. The monk had fallen for a mass-murderer because she had a pretty design!
"Don't stroke your egos in front of me ever again." Angry, Ranko stood up and glared at the group of fighters. Clenching her fists, she kicked the food bowl out of her way and brushed past Trunks like she had less respect for him than garbage on the street.
~
With a little bit of advertising out of the way, Cell flew back out to the country where he would have some room for his tournament. It was going to be spectacular and he wanted to be certain it would also be memorable. The day he destroyed Goku, the Red Ribbon Army's most hated enemy. Not that he really cared.
Cell knew he was the strongest being on the planet now. He was designed to be perfect, a culmination of the best fighters in the world and then distilled to even greater levels of perfection. He could destroy mountains with nary a thought. What sort of opposition did Goku, or anyone, pose to him now?
Well, he'd just have to draw the fights out a bit to make them enjoyable, to lengthen the torture of Goku's final moments.
Floating over an open area, Cell chose it for the size of the open plain, the remoteness from any distraction, and the materials in the mountains that he could use.
Again, Cell's mind drifted to the upcoming fight. Only ten days hence, who would be there? Son Goku of course, to fight with him would be the pinnacle of his success, and his death would mark the true beginning of his conquests. Heh, why settle for one insignificant planet when there a whole universe out there to conquer? Vegita would be there, his pride would not let him miss it. Piccolo, yes, he would be there too, but will he be brave enough to fight, or will he cower behind the Saiyans? Trunks, yes, he will definitely be interesting, his strength was great, but will he have enough time to learn how to control it? Probably not, none of them... not one of them had what it will take to defeat him. For he was power incarnate.
Power. Vast, enormous power. Power made foolish by a little child barely able to generate a ki blast. The girl, small curvy form and red hair, had humiliated him, mocked his strength with her presence. Would she be there, this Ranko? Perhaps he'd keep her around for his amusement, watch her agony as he killed her friends and then destroyed whole cities.
Grinning to himself, Cell looked at the area and raised his hand to begin. "Now, to construct the stage."
His power plowed out square area for the arena to be set. A solid stone mountain was shaped into tiles to mark the arena's boundaries. It was quick work, easily accomplished with his power.
Touching down at the center, Cell gazed upon his work with a nod, "To think, this is where Goku shall die! Hahahaha!"
~
Ranko suppressed the groan of her stomach as she stood up the next day. After the confrontation last night everyone had left her alone. It probably wasn't smart to make them all feel even shittier about a bad situation, but she needed to vent. They weren't the real problem, she realized after some sleep. Ranko still felt sick with herself for almost giving up last night. Just give up? Her? No. She'd made a promise to Ranma and the rest in heaven. Ranko was going to continue to fight until Cell was dead or hell learned to keep her from escaping. Not emasculation, orphaning, or death was going to keep her from the battlefield. Cell would learn to rue the day he'd crossed paths with Ranko.
How will she train for ten days?
Since waking that day Ranko had spent her time standing near the edge of the platform, looking out over the world, and thinking of her last fights with Cell. Undoubtedly Cell was too powerful, but maybe there was still some way, some technique she could train the others in to fight Cell. It was too much ki. Ranko had briefly considered Hinako's ki vampire trick, but not for long. Happousai had only taught her how to negate the powers, not create them. She didn't have enough experience to find the proper shiatsu points. Besides, she didn't think that her body would be able to absorb all that power without burning her out. The Hiryu Shouten Ha worked better last time because it had been fueled by a huge amount of Cell's expended ki. She hadn't considered how tightly Cell focused his ki the first time she attempted the technique thus he was able to overpower it quickly. Perhaps there was some way to penetrate his hot ki with a blast of cold, or maybe she could learn to penetrate his impressive exoskeleton to apply the moxibustion.
Whatever, her head was beginning to hurt.
The kami tugging at her arm came as a welcome distraction. "Ranko-san?"
Ranko looked upon the youngster kindly. He was smiling brighter than before. "Dende? What is it?"
"Son Goku and Gohan will be coming out of the Time and Space Chamber soon." He nodded back to the group of fighters standing around the large bronze doors and began to lead her there.
Ranko was still unclear about what sort of benefit this chamber was to have on a person's training. It was only a day they had been in there after all. The other fighters avoided eye contact as she approached making way for the red-headed firecracker. Venting or not, Ranko wasn't going to apologize.
Looking back to the doors, Kuillin rubbed his hands together. "Oh, I can't wait to see how strong Goku is now."
The sentiment was shared by most of the other fighters. Ranko saw Vegita standing aloofly to one side, seeming uninterested. Piccolo was much the same. In a way it was kind of funny. What was with old timers and their need to look tough? They looked like they were concentrating on holding still the stick shoved up their butts.
Slowly, the doors opened, a white light again silhouetting the emerging figures. Did they forget to turn out the lights?
Ranko blinked as she found Gohan and Goku walking out, looking stronger than before and, "Blonde?"
"Gohan? Is that you?" Kuillin tugged at a tuff of blonde hair. "Man, you're mom is going to freak when she sees you like that."
"So what's been going on guys?" Goku asked jovially. He didn't seem like the type to take too much seriously even though millions of people had been killed just recently.
Piccolo looked at Goku seriously, "Cell absorbed 18."
Goku nodded. "Yeah, I can feel it."
"Did you guys fight him?" Gohan looked up at Trunks. The Saiyajin just looked over at Ranko briefly then away.
Kuillin answered. "Yeah, Gohan. He's unbeatable now. Cell even took out Vegita like it was child's play."
Gohan had followed Trunks' glance and saw how mussed Ranko's appearance now was. She'd given up on the tie that had been holding her pigtail and let fall around her shoulders. Her clothes still bore tears, one having turned her shirt into a midrif. "Are you all right, Ranko-san?"
"Just peachy." Ranko replied as she looked into Gohan's now green eyes and laid a hand on his spiky blond hair.
Kuillin, deciding there had been enough problems recently tried to cheer Gohan up a bit. "You should have seen her, Gohan. She was literally tossing Cell around in his complete form."
Staring at her in surprise, Gohan's smile brightened. "Wow."
Goku too was impressed. "That's incredible, Ranko. Who would have guessed a girl like you could fight better than Vegita!"
Gohan jabbed his father with an elbow when Ranko began to scowl. "Dad."
Unminding, Goku looked about the fighters. "So what's going on? It doesn't feel like Cell is attacking anyone."
Piccolo nodded, "He's given us ten days to prepare for a tournament that will decide the fate of the Earth. Cell made the announcement through the television."
"That's nice," Goku smiled, "That'll give me and Gohan some time to relax at home."
The group blinked in shock. Even Vegita took some real interest in the discussion now. Kuillin smiled widely, "Does this mean you're powerful enough to beat him, Goku? You must be after a year of training."
Year of training?
Goku just smiled at his friend. "Not at all."
The group nearly fell at the ease Goku has responded.
Kuillin laughed as he picked himself back up and scratched the back of his head. "You're such a kidder, Goku."
"Honestly, guys. I don't think I could beat Cell in a straight fight," Goku insisted lightheartedly.
"Then-Then how can you be so calm, Goku?" Tien asked, still hoping Goku was only kidding.
Shrugging, Goku placed two fingers against his forehead. "Don't worry, guys. I've got a plan. Hang out here for a second. I'm going to check on Cell."
Puzzling it over, Ranko tried to figure out how Goku could be so confidant if he was certain he couldn't beat Cell in a fight. A plan? Like what? Bum- rushing Cell? Maybe Goku had developed some technique to defeat Cell's incredible ki reserves like she had been considering. The look on Gohan's face made that idea sound doubtful.
The area where Goku had been standing blinked again with his return. He'd gone to check on Cell and insure no fighting would start up until the tournament began. After getting a good look at Cell, Goku was more confident that he couldn't win. Did nothing remove that stupid smile from his face?
"So what's the plan, Goku?" Trunks asked.
"We'll meet up with Cell in ten days and fight him."
Ranko mentally slapped herself for almost giving Goku some credit for possessing a brain. It obviously wasn't an often used muscle.
"I shouldn't have expected much more from a third class Saiyajin," Vegita sneered haughtily. "I'll have to go back in there and train, then I will defeat Cell for you."
Goku nodded and smiled. "Sounds like a good idea Vegita. Will you be taking Trunks in with you again?"
Trunks looked up with almost a glimmer of something in his eyes. Vegita was his father after all, even if he was a big idiot. Ranko could somewhat relate.
Looking disdainfully at Trunks, Vegita barked out a laugh. "Don't be ridiculous. Training a fool like him is a waste of my time."
A number of the fighters began to glare at Vegita though Trunks tried to appear unaffected.
"No, I shall take," his eyes looked over the group and focused in on Ranko, "her."
"WHAT?!" Yamcha, Kuillin, Tien, and Trunks quickly stepped between the Saiyajin prince and the redhead.
"Why do you get to train with Ranko-san?!" Yamcha demanded, then blushed deeply.
"She's not up to your level, Vegita. You'd kill her." Kuillin added.
Ranko was slightly miffed over the way the others were protecting her just because she was a girl. She sniffed indignantly. "Like I would want to train a pathetic loser like you anyway." Ranko looked Vegita over like she was sizing him up. "You couldn't even keep up with my training."
Rather than growl angrily as the others had expected, Vegita almost laughed again, but toned it down to a cocky smirk. "It sounds to me like you're more afraid of getting in some real training. You'd rather stay content as a weak fighter. Only fools are content and satisfied."
Anger rose up in Ranko's small frame and forced out a bright red aura. Her hands clenched tightly, the knuckles popping like fireworks. Her eyes connected with Vegita's and saw them mocking her. Her aura suddenly condensed into a thin barrier around her, and with speed born of fury, Ranko lashed out at the arrogant prince of a dead race. She passed in- between the fighters easily only to have her fist caught by Super Vegita.
Ranko tucked and rolled through the air until she could right herself and land on her feet. The others watched as the blonde Vegita rushed out into the courtyard with a fist full of ki aimed at Ranko's head. With little time to balance herself, Ranko opted to jump sideways through the air and watch the fist pass mere inches from her face. At the same time her right knee came in contact with Vegita's face. Her hands flashed out at Amaguriken speed to stab at pressure points in the Saiyajin's arm.
Unfortunately she couldn't avoid the follow-up while in the air. Even Ranko could only bend so far and so fast.
Rolling onto her side, Ranko looked up to where Vegita was standing, one arm hanging listlessly to his side. His body did not have the exoskeleton Cell's did. She brushed the back of her hand over her bleeding mouth and bruised cheek while reevaluating Vegita compared to the rest of the fighters. Trunks, Tien, Yamcha, Kuillin, and even Piccolo looked aghast at the fight Vegita had just picked with Ranko.
Finding a new, if malicious, smile, Ranko stood up and nodded at Super Vegita. "This might work after all."
Vegita smirked in return and headed back for the bronze doors.
After she and Vegita trained inside the Chamber of Space and Time the others would pair up and take their own turns. Even if Goku had his 'plan' it would still be best if they trained just in case.
~
Despite the terrible events of the past week, the area around Goku's home was alive and untouched by the violence. Chichi had been by to fix the door 18 ripped off when ransacking the home, but now things had been returned to their normal semblance of peace.
Goku and Gohan flew lazily through the air, taking their time to enjoy the serenity of the mountains and the view of the nearby lake. It had been a long time since either had been home with the year spent in the Chamber of Space and Time. It would be another ten days until they had to leave for the tournament with Cell. Gohan was glad they would be spending the time just being a family for now.
"Do you really think things will be all right, dad?" Gohan asked as he touched down to the ground beside his father.
Goku stared at the spherical home for a moment before giving Gohan a pleasant smile. "Sure, Gohan. Stay in your Super form, but I really just want you to relax until the tournament. Things will take care of themselves."
"If you say so," Gohan didn't look entirely convinced.
The door to their home burst open and Chichi ran towards them with her arms ready to snatch Gohan up. "Oh, my precious little scholar! Where have you been? I was so worried."
Goku laughed at Gohan's predicament.
"And you!" Chichi turned a glare on him.
Goku's laugh trickled into a nervous chuckle. "Hi, Chichi."
"Don't you-" Chichi paused and took a closer look at Goku. "Did you dye your hair?" She looked down at Gohan, her eyes even wider. "Blonde? Oh, Gohan! Why did you dye your hair?! Oh, my little scholar was gone for a day and he's become a dunce! Damnit Goku, this is all your fault! I knew hanging out with all of your stupid martial arts friends would be a bad influence! Now he'll never get into a good college or get a good job!"
Trying to steady Chichi's nerves, Goku put his hands on her shoulders to guide her back into the house. "Don't worry, Chichi. All Gohan really needs right now is a good meal and then he can get to his studying."
Gohan blinked.
Chichi nearly collapsed onto the ground before staring at Goku incredulously. "Are you feeling all right, Goku? You didn't get hit in the head recently did you?"
"Sure," Goku looked at Gohan, "but I'm fine."
Clasping her hands together, eyes shimmering with happiness, Chichi asked, "Are you sure, Goku? Are you really going to let Gohan study for once? Do you mean it?!"
"You bet!" Goku laughed out loud and entered the house, his stomach grumbling for food.
"Well then," Chichi's attitude had completely changed and she began shooing the two fighters out of the kitchen. "You two go get cleaned up and I'll have a big feast ready when you're done!"
"That's great, Chichi! You're the best! C'mon, son."
"Uh," Gohan slipped out of his father's grip, "I'll be right there, dad."
Goku nodded and left.
For a moment no one spoke and Chichi wondered what might be on Gohan's mind. He fidgeted for a moment and it made her think there was something serious on his mind. Crouching down, Chichi tried to look into her son's eyes. "What is it, Gohan?"
"Uh, I was just wondering," Gohan trailed off, uncertain how to continue.
"Is something wrong, Gohan?"
Biting his lip, Gohan shrugged his shoulders a bit. "No, not really anyway. I was jus thinking about . . . th-there's this, uh, girl and . . ."
"Oh!" Chichi squealed and grabbed Gohan up into a tight hug. "My little Gohan has his first crush! Who is it? Is there a nice girl you met in town?"
His face burning red, Gohan scratched the back of his head and laughed lightly. "Well, I mean, uh, sort of."
"Well? What's she like?"
"Uh," Gohan stared at the floor, wondering if his face would ever cool down, "She has red hair and she's a real good fighter."
Chichi's demeanor changed again into a frown. "Oh, she's one of your martial arts friends."
"But she's real smart." Gohan knew that would get him points with his mom. "She isn't very powerful, but she was able to take on Cell and he's really strong now."
Chichi bit her lip and nodded slowly. "I guess you have to be pretty smart to fight someone stronger than you." Though in her mind she was considering how even idiots should know not to fight people who clearly outmatch you.
"Yeah!" Gohan nodded and smiled at his mother. "And she's real nice! She took care of me while we were up on kami's island and she's very pretty!"
A little more carefree, Chichi released a short laugh, "Well, she is a first crush so it can only go up from there!"
Gohan's smile fell and he looked back to the floor. "I'm just kind of worried. Vegita dragged Ranko-san into training with him and you know how he can be."
Chichi nodded. "Don't worry, Gohan. I'm sure things will be fine since they are just training. You'll see her tomorrow."
Biting his lip, Gohan nodded and then hugged his mother. It helped to hear his thoughts echoed in an adult's voice other than his father's. Gohan trusted his dad, but he was also a bit naive about things.
"Thanks, mom," Gohan released her and set off for the bath.
Chichi took a moment to compose herself when her son left. She looked at the door he'd gone out and searched her memories for this Ranko person. She could remember the redhead who had jumped into that androids arms to watch Piccolo's fight. Ranko was a bit reckless and she was a tomboy, but she was a martial artist. She was also at least twice Gohan's age. What had been happening on that island?!
Taking a deep breath, Chichi let it out all at once, "GOKU! I want to know what this Ranko did with my Gohan right now!"
~
The inside of the Chamber of Space and Time looked something like a miniature cathedral. Arched passageways led to bedrooms, courtyards, and the kitchen. Ranko took the first few step in, glancing about the area to examine what they would be given to work with. She rather expected intense training equipment of some kind to explain how Goku and Gohan grew in power so dramatically over the course of one day. There was nothing.
"Maybe a potion or something," Ranko considered. There was a strange feeling about the place. Magic could also be the cause of Gohan's new strength. "I hope my hair doesn't go blond. Look like an idiot."
Vegita snorted. "I wouldn't worry. You're simply an earthling. Hardly capable of the potential we Saiyajins can achieve." He held his arm, trying to work out the numbness that Ranko had set. It would last most of the day unless he knew how to divert ki flows or disengage the shiatsu points.
"I'll bet," Ranko smirked, wiping away a little more blood from her mouth. There was a sizeable bruise there. She knew Vegita had been holding back, but obviously not enough in the other fighters' opinions. She'd seen them, looking on with horror at their small fight, and knew they weren't good enough for her.
It reminded her of Akane, being in the position.
This was different. Ranko was a fighter. She was angry again, kicking aside the earlier depression, and feeling the need to work harder. If something in this damned chamber was going to make her stronger, she was going to take it. If she could achieve the kind of power that the others . . .
"What are you thinking?" Vegita's voice sounded harsh as he strode up to stare down at her. He was only a head taller, but the size of his body stretched like a skyscraper to loom over Ranko. He put his left arm forward. "Fix it and maybe I'll teach you something."
It hung there, his arm. Ranko looked at him a moment, narrowing her eyes. If she wanted to be taken seriously, she would have to make him act serious. Giving in to anyone was beyond her if she wanted to be strong. With a sneer, Ranko headed further into the chamber and out into what looked like a bright courtyard. "Fix it yourself, salmon."
"It's Saiyajin," Vegita growled.
It was white. White as far as Ranko could see. There was a vastness to this place the looked infinite, a vacuous realm that could suffocate a person. "Wh-What is it?"
"This," Vegita looked over the area he'd trained in only a day before, "is the training grounds in the Chamber of Space and Time." He watched her take another step, and then another, until she reached the end of the platform.
Ranko didn't see his smirk, but she felt the sudden press on her body and collapsed in a heap on the floor. She was fortunate to have not walked out further and could roll herself back into normal space. She gasped, looking out astonished at the plane the other fighters had trained in.
Nodding, Vegita stepped up closer. "The grounds beyond this temple are under a constant 3G pressure. It takes a strong mind and will to survive out there. I wouldn't expect much from a girl, so you will stay here and instruct me in your . . . Art." He made out the last part with some distaste, but wasn't about to question its use. "The chamber also works outside of normal time. A day passes on the outside, but a year will go by in here." He gestured upwards where an enormous clock hung suspended like a ghost.
Thinking back, Ranko could remember Gohan as he came out of the bronze doors. He'd looked older. It wouldn't have been noticeable except she'd placed her hand on his head and noticed the height difference.
Taking a deep breath, Ranko stood back up, continuing to stare out into the white plain. "I'm here to train. I will become strong enough to defeat that murdering bastard myself." She glared at the Saiyajin prince. "You cannot stop me."
The two studied each other for a moment, matching glare for glare. In the end, Vegita nodded and put his left arm forward again. Ranko felt along the bicep to the elbow, reconnecting the ki flows. The arm was back to normal in a matter of seconds.
"Let's not waste any more time then," Ranko grinned. Her hands were just finishing releasing Vegita's arm when she grabbed a hold of his wrist. His eyes snapped open for a moment when he noticed his arm locking straight with a twist and then he was hurtled through the air. She probably couldn't take him by surprise like that again, but it made Ranko feel a little better.
She jumped into the plain after him quickly, expecting herself to be ready for the heavier gravity. Ranko didn't quite make it to her target.
Chuckling, Vegita stood up easily and walked over to where Ranko was supporting herself with hands on her knees. "Well?" He leaned back from her kicks and punches, but the situation was too new. Ranko grew tired quickly. Vegita's smile became crueler. "Let's see how nimble you are now, girl."
~
Ranko had lasted maybe ten minutes fighting against Vegita. The Saiyajin had kept himself to normal levels to learn her martial arts techniques. The fact did not go unnoticed by Ranko as Vegita seemed to be lost more in his thoughts over her technique than the fight itself. She knew he was strong, but to be able to ignore this terrible gravity just pissed her off.
When the fight was over, Vegita had looked down on her with a smirk, hardly even sweating and just strolled off to do some more 'intense training'.
She would show him. Ranko's growl came out as a pained moan while crawling towards the free space. Beaten and bruised, she had been left a dozen meters into the white space and had to fend for herself. The smug bastard had just said it would be good for her. "I'll show him," she swore again.
Taking a last trembling step into the free space, Ranko finally collapsed in utter exhaustion. This was some sort of payback for kicking Vegita on that island, she just knew it. They had started sparring in the afternoon, with the fight only lasting some minutes, and she'd only now been able to escape the heavy gravity as it approached evening. This place would definitely make her strong if she could survive it.
Walking up to the edge of the platform, Vegita smirked down at Ranko's sweating, exhausted body and said, "Pathetic."
She could only groan in reply.
It was hours later when Ranko was finally able to work up enough strength to find a kitchen and start cooking up something to eat. The place was well stocked, but everything was in big heavy jars. Two of them had fallen to the ground and Ranko just rummaged through the debris for the food.
Her stomach grumbled.
"I'm so hungry," Ranko moaned in pain and put a hand over her stomach. Her muscles burned, her legs were numb, but Ranko's stomach had long ago become the dictator of her actions. Turning off the heat, Ranko pulled away a big meal of stir-fry and rice, grimacing only slightly. "It ain't Kasumi's."
Vegita walked in and stared at her. "Where's mine?"
Ranko snorted. "What? You think I'd cook for you? Get real."
"Maybe you'll cook for yourself then." Vegita smirked, grabbing Ranko under one arm and holding the bowl of food in his free hand.
Squawking in surprise, Ranko's limbs flailed about, trying to find purchase and attack Vegita at the same time. "Hey! That's mine! Give it back!"
Vegita laughed, not noticing the sudden blur of motion from Ranko. "This should teach you some respect, girl," he said while lifting the bowl to his mouth. It didn't occur to him the bowl was empty until he had tilted his head all the way back. ". . ."
Ranko burped and covered her mouth. Pop's speed eating technique was one of the most useful things she ever learned from the greedy panda.
"What am I supposed to eat?"
Even when he whines it sounds like he's growling, Ranko thought. She was still being held under one of his arms like a lifeless doll, but that didn't matter now that she had eaten. The rest of her body was happy to let someone else do the work. "Cook something. It's not my problem."
Vegita grumbled a bit and then set her down. "I can't cook."
Ranko stumbled off for one of the bedrooms, liking how the day ended on an up-note as she sneered at the Saiyajin. "Pathetic."
End Chapter Four
* * *
Send C&C to Michael at: jehtek@hotmail.com
Or Kazblah at: kazblah945@aol.com
Or visit the Temple of the Creative: www.geocities.com/jehtek
Ja ne.
[pic][pic]
A Chance Love Productions
Is proud to present
A Human Saiyajin
By Michael Fetter
And Kazblah
Chapter Four
As Cell disappeared into the horizon, a more subdued group of fighters headed for the fallen redhead. The island was a complete wreck after her battle with the might Cell and it was mirrored in the condition of her body. There were cuts from the rocks, blood rolling down her arms and forehead. The girl's face was mostly in the dirt, tears cleaning tracks down her dirty cheeks. But the worst part was not her physical injuries, but the fiery spirit, which had been crushed against the same mountain.
Kuillin came forward to roll the girl into his arms so that her head was held against his shoulder for support. He didn't like the feeling. Unlike the first time, Ranko's body was completely loose, like he had lifted a truly dead body. "Hang on, Ranko. We'll get you taken care of."
Vegita, weakened and sore, simply regarded the girl through his good eye, holding onto his hurt arm. "It was foolish of you to believe your puny power could have defeated Cell. Now look at you, you are completely useless."
Shocked by the callousness of his father, Trunks bristled, "Father!"
"Vegita," Kuillin growled, he so wanted to hurt the Saiyajin sometimes.
Ranko didn't bother to answer. She couldn't even if she had the power to. She couldn't see the man, couldn't move her head, couldn't move her lips to shout out or scream. So, what does she do now? That battle had taken all of her energy to attempt to keep up with the monster. Holding the invisibility technique had been exhausting. Ranko was surprised she could even throw a Hiryu Shouten Ha the way she did. Cell had not been the only one to be surprised. After tossing up her uppercut and waiting a few seconds in the following silence Ranko had been almost certain that she had completely failed.
"Forget it," Kuillin scowled and started floating upwards slowly, "Let's just get her back to Kami's."
"I'll take her, Kuillin," Trunks held out his hands. He felt like he needed to do this, he did not know why, only a feeling burning deep within his chest. Was it because of his father, how he mocked her when she was obviously down? Or maybe it was through his own guilt. He was by far more powerful then she was, yet backed down when it was convenient for him. Compared to the iron-willed redhead, he felt like a fool, a fake of a martial artist, a coward.
Snorting, Vegita drifted into the sky, his speed greatly reduced after the battle made him appear to be limping along. He took an occasional look back at his future son, gently cradling the girl as they flew, and contemplated Ranko's powers. He'd never seen anyone fight like that before. A girl and a weakling she may be, but still a fighter worthy of some respect.
The flight back was quiet.
On the island, Piccolo, Tien, Yamcha, and the rest were also silent. They had felt the battle by gauging the power levels of the fighters involved. Without being there, they knew Cell was a great deal more powerful than he had been.
Trunks landed easily in the courtyard and placed Ranko limply on the ground. Her head fell to one side and remained there, staring off into nothingness, her expression unreadable.
As the Z-fighters began to discuss what had happened with Cell, Dende kneeled down beside Ranko. "Don't worry, Ranko-san," he smiled gently and placed glowing hands over her chest, "you'll be all right, I promise."
Still Ranko stared off into the distance shutting out the world. A girl, she thought, just a weak little girl.
~
Cell smirked as he continued to fly over the earth. He was going to have so much fun toying with Goku and his band of fighters. In his perfect form there was no one capable of hurting him. He was the strongest, fastest, and most powerful fighter in the universe. He was the greatest and most beautiful too. The gene-coded instructions still forced him to confront pitiful creatures like Son Goku, but he wouldn't mind. They would be useful guinea pigs to test out his powers against.
A city rolled by and pedestrians gasped in fright as he flew overhead. Cell pulled back on his supersonic speed, the wake of destruction diminished to only a low rumbling. He continued down the streets until stopping and coming to a full rest at the building he was looking for. Z Broadcasting was written over the large revolving sign out front and several large antennas were set on the roof of the thirty-floor building. "Excellent."
The lobby broke out with shrieks as he entered. Cell calmly strode up to the information desk and gave the weak-kneed girl a menacing smile. "Which floor do they broadcast the news from? I have a big scoop."
Trembling in her chair, the woman looked at her meeting book. "Ap-p-p- pointment?"
Cell smirked again.
~
Sitting down against the same pillar as before, Ranko watched the sun begin to fall, blue skies fading to red as though the world had suffered deep cuts and now bled over the atmosphere. Since Dende had somehow treated her crippling injuries, she had drawn into herself. The battle against Cell played in her mind and no matter how she looked at it, criticized herself over it, she continued to come back with the same conclusion. This time, power decided the victor.
Ranko had never thought to admit this before. Until Cell and the Z- fighters, Ranko had always been able to believe in her abilities to somehow overcome any obstacle, but this level of power could not be circumvented with fancy moves or new techniques. What good was a new technique against someone who's body could resist pressure point attacks, brush off the most powerful ki attacks she had ever thrown, and even only been slightly irritated by her Neko-ken.
Ranko had seen it this time. Her battle with Cell, before he had completely evolved, Ranko had been unaware of tapping into the Neko-ken the way she had. It was not induced by fear like usual, but by a need from her focused rage. Rage. Maybe that was the true terror of the neko-ken. It can only be truly utilized when there was nothing left to loss. Like a wounded cat backed into a corner. No, it wasn't rage that triggered the neko-ken. It was pure unadulterated hatred. Hatred for all the bullies that picked on the weak, hatred for people who killed for the thrill of it, hatred for Cell. Ranko had never known herself to give into such dark emotions. Even against Saffron she'd only been angry for a short time, there had still been a semblance of hope within her. Now all that hope was gone.
Hope that she could save Akane.
Not this time. Akane was dead.
Her family was dead.
Her friends were dead.
Ranma was dead. All hope fled as she watched Ryouga fall before the might that is Cell.
Then this overwhelming feeling hit her, it was a feeling that she had never known until this day. It wasn't sadness, the numbness in her body refused to acknowledge sadness. It wasn't anger, she felt angry before and this wasn't it. It was a rage, an inferno in her soul, but even this did not trigger the neko-ken. It was shame; the hate she felt was directed at herself for not being able to save her loved ones when it really counted.
But now, with Cell so powerful Ranko could feel her spirit flow away in the wind, like Death had stretched out his bony hands and pulled it within his dark cloak. The rage that gave Ranko power was leaving her. Only depression and horrid sadness of her complete failure remained.
It has been said that when it really counted, Saotome Ranma did not fail, but Saotome Ranma had died. Now Ranko had been defeated and it was a fate worse than death. She had to live, to go on, reliving her failure over and over again.
The wind sifted by with a scent of food. Ranko picked up her head slightly regarding the other fighters as they gorged themselves, and found her own appetite completely lacking.
Some of the fighters glanced in her direction. Trunks and Kuillin looked at her with a worried look. They had kept Piccolo and Vegita away when they demanded to know how she had fought against Cell. What sort of answer did they expect from her? Even if she told them, none had shown the intelligence to be able to pick up her ki techniques to use against Cell. Not in ten days time.
Ranko studied the fighters again. Searching for something she had missed the previous times. Powerful though they were, and fast too, damn fast. But in terms of pure skill alone, Akane could have taken them 3 times out of 5. Of course, Akane was better than Cell too, not by much but that hadn't saved her. But these fighters, they were arrogant because of their strength. They had likely spent most of their time building their ki reserves without concentrating on how to use it more effectively. The only thing Ranko had seen were ki blasts of the same type over and over again. Sure, certain blasts were more powerful, but they were all basic, emotion- driven powers. Some of them had been interesting, like Vegita's Big Bang Attack he used on Cell, but the flaw in the technique was that it drained a person out.
Power may be a major factor in the fight against Cell, but brute force against a superior brute force was a foolish idea.
"Ranko-san?"
Ranko's eyes focused in on the world and found the platinum haired boy standing in front of her with a bowl of food. Trunks offered it to her and Ranko stared for a moment. What was the use? It was better to just let herself fade away for all the good she could do now.
"No thanks, I lost my appetite" Ranko said coldly.
Trunks frowned and set the bowl of food down beside Ranko when she turned away. Her clothes were burnt and torn in places and the pigtail had come undone partially. "Are you going to be okay?"
Vegita had watched from the table with the others. "Don't bother with the little girl. Let her cry for all the good it would do."
"Do you see me crying?" Ranko quietly replied. "I don't even have the energy to do that."
Crouching down, Trunks put his hand on Ranko's shoulder to lend some support. "I know you've lost a lot. The same happened to me, but you have to find a way to go on, until you can fight Cell again."
"Fight him?" Ranko brushed his hand away and stared into Trunks' eyes. "There is no fighting him for me. I could never become as strong as that monster."
"Just like a woman," Vegita sneered.
"Vegita," Kuillin growled as he stood up from his seat. The others were also glaring at the Saiyajin prince.
Staring hard into the older Saiyajin's eyes, Ranko asked, "Who are you to talk?"
"I am Vegita," he began with a growl and pride. "Prince of all Saiyajins."
"Great, another prince," Ranko muttered.
"Don't listen to him, Ranko-san. It's okay to grieve over your losses." Trunks spoke sympathetically.
Ranko stared at the darkening sky over her knees as she rested her chin on her folded arms. The sun continued to retreat, the stars above hidden by a canopy of dense, black clouds. She couldn't grieve for her family. There hadn't been time before and now . . . inside she felt just as dead as they were. Shaking her head, "Pathetic."
"No," Trunks said quickly, "you're not."
Ranko's shoulders began to shake. It looked as if she might start sobbing into her arms. But then she erupted with laughter, she laughed so hard she began to cough from a rough throat. Then staring up at Trunks with contempt, "You think I was talking about myself?"
Trunks took a step back from the hate in her eyes. Others at the table became disturbed by her condescending inspection.
"You think I'm weak and insignificant because I haven't got the muscle or the power you have?" Ranko laughed at Vegita's scowl. "Compared to you," her eyes went over each of the assembled fighters, "compared to any of you I'm the strongest fighter here."
"And how's that?" Vegita snorted.
Still giggling lightly, Ranko looked over Yamcha, Kuillin, and Trunks. "The first rule of a martial artist is to protect the weak. It doesn't say to protect the weak when it's convenient. You are so much more powerful than I am, but when faced against Cell, what do you do?"
Trunks reflexivly turned away.
"You hide behind a 'weak little girl'," Ranko taunted in an impression of Vegita's tone.
"Faced with a life or death battle, a real fighter goes in prepared to sacrifice everything," Ranko glared at Piccolo this time. She saw him putting 18 on the ropes with his superior power. If he had truly intended to destroy the android before Cell could absorb her, then he would have. Instead the battle had been drawn out. Piccolo had several opportunities to simply lay into 18 and destroy her.
"I may have an ego," Ranko continued, looking at Vegita, "but at least I know when to leave it behind." She could hear Vegita grounding his teeth from where she stood and smiled nastily at him. Then her eyes settled upon Kuillin. "And when it comes to saving lives I do whatever it takes to win. Rather than crush our best chance beneath my feet."
Kuillin stared wide-eyed at the redhead. "Y-You s-saw that?" he squeaked.
"What's she talking about, Kuillin?" Trunks asked.
The bald monk stared down at the ground, humiliated.
"Kuillin?" Tien repeated and then it occurred to him. "Kuillin, where is Bulma's auto-destruct remote she had finished?"
The silence was enough to answer the question for everyone.
"I couldn't hurt her."
Ranko seethed. He couldn't hurt 'her'! The android wasn't a person, it was a thing! Ranko could understand at one time not wanting to hurt a girl, but even she had foregone the principle when the situation was serious. But this was disgusting. The monk had fallen for a mass-murderer because she had a pretty design!
"Don't stroke your egos in front of me ever again." Angry, Ranko stood up and glared at the group of fighters. Clenching her fists, she kicked the food bowl out of her way and brushed past Trunks like she had less respect for him than garbage on the street.
~
With a little bit of advertising out of the way, Cell flew back out to the country where he would have some room for his tournament. It was going to be spectacular and he wanted to be certain it would also be memorable. The day he destroyed Goku, the Red Ribbon Army's most hated enemy. Not that he really cared.
Cell knew he was the strongest being on the planet now. He was designed to be perfect, a culmination of the best fighters in the world and then distilled to even greater levels of perfection. He could destroy mountains with nary a thought. What sort of opposition did Goku, or anyone, pose to him now?
Well, he'd just have to draw the fights out a bit to make them enjoyable, to lengthen the torture of Goku's final moments.
Floating over an open area, Cell chose it for the size of the open plain, the remoteness from any distraction, and the materials in the mountains that he could use.
Again, Cell's mind drifted to the upcoming fight. Only ten days hence, who would be there? Son Goku of course, to fight with him would be the pinnacle of his success, and his death would mark the true beginning of his conquests. Heh, why settle for one insignificant planet when there a whole universe out there to conquer? Vegita would be there, his pride would not let him miss it. Piccolo, yes, he would be there too, but will he be brave enough to fight, or will he cower behind the Saiyans? Trunks, yes, he will definitely be interesting, his strength was great, but will he have enough time to learn how to control it? Probably not, none of them... not one of them had what it will take to defeat him. For he was power incarnate.
Power. Vast, enormous power. Power made foolish by a little child barely able to generate a ki blast. The girl, small curvy form and red hair, had humiliated him, mocked his strength with her presence. Would she be there, this Ranko? Perhaps he'd keep her around for his amusement, watch her agony as he killed her friends and then destroyed whole cities.
Grinning to himself, Cell looked at the area and raised his hand to begin. "Now, to construct the stage."
His power plowed out square area for the arena to be set. A solid stone mountain was shaped into tiles to mark the arena's boundaries. It was quick work, easily accomplished with his power.
Touching down at the center, Cell gazed upon his work with a nod, "To think, this is where Goku shall die! Hahahaha!"
~
Ranko suppressed the groan of her stomach as she stood up the next day. After the confrontation last night everyone had left her alone. It probably wasn't smart to make them all feel even shittier about a bad situation, but she needed to vent. They weren't the real problem, she realized after some sleep. Ranko still felt sick with herself for almost giving up last night. Just give up? Her? No. She'd made a promise to Ranma and the rest in heaven. Ranko was going to continue to fight until Cell was dead or hell learned to keep her from escaping. Not emasculation, orphaning, or death was going to keep her from the battlefield. Cell would learn to rue the day he'd crossed paths with Ranko.
How will she train for ten days?
Since waking that day Ranko had spent her time standing near the edge of the platform, looking out over the world, and thinking of her last fights with Cell. Undoubtedly Cell was too powerful, but maybe there was still some way, some technique she could train the others in to fight Cell. It was too much ki. Ranko had briefly considered Hinako's ki vampire trick, but not for long. Happousai had only taught her how to negate the powers, not create them. She didn't have enough experience to find the proper shiatsu points. Besides, she didn't think that her body would be able to absorb all that power without burning her out. The Hiryu Shouten Ha worked better last time because it had been fueled by a huge amount of Cell's expended ki. She hadn't considered how tightly Cell focused his ki the first time she attempted the technique thus he was able to overpower it quickly. Perhaps there was some way to penetrate his hot ki with a blast of cold, or maybe she could learn to penetrate his impressive exoskeleton to apply the moxibustion.
Whatever, her head was beginning to hurt.
The kami tugging at her arm came as a welcome distraction. "Ranko-san?"
Ranko looked upon the youngster kindly. He was smiling brighter than before. "Dende? What is it?"
"Son Goku and Gohan will be coming out of the Time and Space Chamber soon." He nodded back to the group of fighters standing around the large bronze doors and began to lead her there.
Ranko was still unclear about what sort of benefit this chamber was to have on a person's training. It was only a day they had been in there after all. The other fighters avoided eye contact as she approached making way for the red-headed firecracker. Venting or not, Ranko wasn't going to apologize.
Looking back to the doors, Kuillin rubbed his hands together. "Oh, I can't wait to see how strong Goku is now."
The sentiment was shared by most of the other fighters. Ranko saw Vegita standing aloofly to one side, seeming uninterested. Piccolo was much the same. In a way it was kind of funny. What was with old timers and their need to look tough? They looked like they were concentrating on holding still the stick shoved up their butts.
Slowly, the doors opened, a white light again silhouetting the emerging figures. Did they forget to turn out the lights?
Ranko blinked as she found Gohan and Goku walking out, looking stronger than before and, "Blonde?"
"Gohan? Is that you?" Kuillin tugged at a tuff of blonde hair. "Man, you're mom is going to freak when she sees you like that."
"So what's been going on guys?" Goku asked jovially. He didn't seem like the type to take too much seriously even though millions of people had been killed just recently.
Piccolo looked at Goku seriously, "Cell absorbed 18."
Goku nodded. "Yeah, I can feel it."
"Did you guys fight him?" Gohan looked up at Trunks. The Saiyajin just looked over at Ranko briefly then away.
Kuillin answered. "Yeah, Gohan. He's unbeatable now. Cell even took out Vegita like it was child's play."
Gohan had followed Trunks' glance and saw how mussed Ranko's appearance now was. She'd given up on the tie that had been holding her pigtail and let fall around her shoulders. Her clothes still bore tears, one having turned her shirt into a midrif. "Are you all right, Ranko-san?"
"Just peachy." Ranko replied as she looked into Gohan's now green eyes and laid a hand on his spiky blond hair.
Kuillin, deciding there had been enough problems recently tried to cheer Gohan up a bit. "You should have seen her, Gohan. She was literally tossing Cell around in his complete form."
Staring at her in surprise, Gohan's smile brightened. "Wow."
Goku too was impressed. "That's incredible, Ranko. Who would have guessed a girl like you could fight better than Vegita!"
Gohan jabbed his father with an elbow when Ranko began to scowl. "Dad."
Unminding, Goku looked about the fighters. "So what's going on? It doesn't feel like Cell is attacking anyone."
Piccolo nodded, "He's given us ten days to prepare for a tournament that will decide the fate of the Earth. Cell made the announcement through the television."
"That's nice," Goku smiled, "That'll give me and Gohan some time to relax at home."
The group blinked in shock. Even Vegita took some real interest in the discussion now. Kuillin smiled widely, "Does this mean you're powerful enough to beat him, Goku? You must be after a year of training."
Year of training?
Goku just smiled at his friend. "Not at all."
The group nearly fell at the ease Goku has responded.
Kuillin laughed as he picked himself back up and scratched the back of his head. "You're such a kidder, Goku."
"Honestly, guys. I don't think I could beat Cell in a straight fight," Goku insisted lightheartedly.
"Then-Then how can you be so calm, Goku?" Tien asked, still hoping Goku was only kidding.
Shrugging, Goku placed two fingers against his forehead. "Don't worry, guys. I've got a plan. Hang out here for a second. I'm going to check on Cell."
Puzzling it over, Ranko tried to figure out how Goku could be so confidant if he was certain he couldn't beat Cell in a fight. A plan? Like what? Bum- rushing Cell? Maybe Goku had developed some technique to defeat Cell's incredible ki reserves like she had been considering. The look on Gohan's face made that idea sound doubtful.
The area where Goku had been standing blinked again with his return. He'd gone to check on Cell and insure no fighting would start up until the tournament began. After getting a good look at Cell, Goku was more confident that he couldn't win. Did nothing remove that stupid smile from his face?
"So what's the plan, Goku?" Trunks asked.
"We'll meet up with Cell in ten days and fight him."
Ranko mentally slapped herself for almost giving Goku some credit for possessing a brain. It obviously wasn't an often used muscle.
"I shouldn't have expected much more from a third class Saiyajin," Vegita sneered haughtily. "I'll have to go back in there and train, then I will defeat Cell for you."
Goku nodded and smiled. "Sounds like a good idea Vegita. Will you be taking Trunks in with you again?"
Trunks looked up with almost a glimmer of something in his eyes. Vegita was his father after all, even if he was a big idiot. Ranko could somewhat relate.
Looking disdainfully at Trunks, Vegita barked out a laugh. "Don't be ridiculous. Training a fool like him is a waste of my time."
A number of the fighters began to glare at Vegita though Trunks tried to appear unaffected.
"No, I shall take," his eyes looked over the group and focused in on Ranko, "her."
"WHAT?!" Yamcha, Kuillin, Tien, and Trunks quickly stepped between the Saiyajin prince and the redhead.
"Why do you get to train with Ranko-san?!" Yamcha demanded, then blushed deeply.
"She's not up to your level, Vegita. You'd kill her." Kuillin added.
Ranko was slightly miffed over the way the others were protecting her just because she was a girl. She sniffed indignantly. "Like I would want to train a pathetic loser like you anyway." Ranko looked Vegita over like she was sizing him up. "You couldn't even keep up with my training."
Rather than growl angrily as the others had expected, Vegita almost laughed again, but toned it down to a cocky smirk. "It sounds to me like you're more afraid of getting in some real training. You'd rather stay content as a weak fighter. Only fools are content and satisfied."
Anger rose up in Ranko's small frame and forced out a bright red aura. Her hands clenched tightly, the knuckles popping like fireworks. Her eyes connected with Vegita's and saw them mocking her. Her aura suddenly condensed into a thin barrier around her, and with speed born of fury, Ranko lashed out at the arrogant prince of a dead race. She passed in- between the fighters easily only to have her fist caught by Super Vegita.
Ranko tucked and rolled through the air until she could right herself and land on her feet. The others watched as the blonde Vegita rushed out into the courtyard with a fist full of ki aimed at Ranko's head. With little time to balance herself, Ranko opted to jump sideways through the air and watch the fist pass mere inches from her face. At the same time her right knee came in contact with Vegita's face. Her hands flashed out at Amaguriken speed to stab at pressure points in the Saiyajin's arm.
Unfortunately she couldn't avoid the follow-up while in the air. Even Ranko could only bend so far and so fast.
Rolling onto her side, Ranko looked up to where Vegita was standing, one arm hanging listlessly to his side. His body did not have the exoskeleton Cell's did. She brushed the back of her hand over her bleeding mouth and bruised cheek while reevaluating Vegita compared to the rest of the fighters. Trunks, Tien, Yamcha, Kuillin, and even Piccolo looked aghast at the fight Vegita had just picked with Ranko.
Finding a new, if malicious, smile, Ranko stood up and nodded at Super Vegita. "This might work after all."
Vegita smirked in return and headed back for the bronze doors.
After she and Vegita trained inside the Chamber of Space and Time the others would pair up and take their own turns. Even if Goku had his 'plan' it would still be best if they trained just in case.
~
Despite the terrible events of the past week, the area around Goku's home was alive and untouched by the violence. Chichi had been by to fix the door 18 ripped off when ransacking the home, but now things had been returned to their normal semblance of peace.
Goku and Gohan flew lazily through the air, taking their time to enjoy the serenity of the mountains and the view of the nearby lake. It had been a long time since either had been home with the year spent in the Chamber of Space and Time. It would be another ten days until they had to leave for the tournament with Cell. Gohan was glad they would be spending the time just being a family for now.
"Do you really think things will be all right, dad?" Gohan asked as he touched down to the ground beside his father.
Goku stared at the spherical home for a moment before giving Gohan a pleasant smile. "Sure, Gohan. Stay in your Super form, but I really just want you to relax until the tournament. Things will take care of themselves."
"If you say so," Gohan didn't look entirely convinced.
The door to their home burst open and Chichi ran towards them with her arms ready to snatch Gohan up. "Oh, my precious little scholar! Where have you been? I was so worried."
Goku laughed at Gohan's predicament.
"And you!" Chichi turned a glare on him.
Goku's laugh trickled into a nervous chuckle. "Hi, Chichi."
"Don't you-" Chichi paused and took a closer look at Goku. "Did you dye your hair?" She looked down at Gohan, her eyes even wider. "Blonde? Oh, Gohan! Why did you dye your hair?! Oh, my little scholar was gone for a day and he's become a dunce! Damnit Goku, this is all your fault! I knew hanging out with all of your stupid martial arts friends would be a bad influence! Now he'll never get into a good college or get a good job!"
Trying to steady Chichi's nerves, Goku put his hands on her shoulders to guide her back into the house. "Don't worry, Chichi. All Gohan really needs right now is a good meal and then he can get to his studying."
Gohan blinked.
Chichi nearly collapsed onto the ground before staring at Goku incredulously. "Are you feeling all right, Goku? You didn't get hit in the head recently did you?"
"Sure," Goku looked at Gohan, "but I'm fine."
Clasping her hands together, eyes shimmering with happiness, Chichi asked, "Are you sure, Goku? Are you really going to let Gohan study for once? Do you mean it?!"
"You bet!" Goku laughed out loud and entered the house, his stomach grumbling for food.
"Well then," Chichi's attitude had completely changed and she began shooing the two fighters out of the kitchen. "You two go get cleaned up and I'll have a big feast ready when you're done!"
"That's great, Chichi! You're the best! C'mon, son."
"Uh," Gohan slipped out of his father's grip, "I'll be right there, dad."
Goku nodded and left.
For a moment no one spoke and Chichi wondered what might be on Gohan's mind. He fidgeted for a moment and it made her think there was something serious on his mind. Crouching down, Chichi tried to look into her son's eyes. "What is it, Gohan?"
"Uh, I was just wondering," Gohan trailed off, uncertain how to continue.
"Is something wrong, Gohan?"
Biting his lip, Gohan shrugged his shoulders a bit. "No, not really anyway. I was jus thinking about . . . th-there's this, uh, girl and . . ."
"Oh!" Chichi squealed and grabbed Gohan up into a tight hug. "My little Gohan has his first crush! Who is it? Is there a nice girl you met in town?"
His face burning red, Gohan scratched the back of his head and laughed lightly. "Well, I mean, uh, sort of."
"Well? What's she like?"
"Uh," Gohan stared at the floor, wondering if his face would ever cool down, "She has red hair and she's a real good fighter."
Chichi's demeanor changed again into a frown. "Oh, she's one of your martial arts friends."
"But she's real smart." Gohan knew that would get him points with his mom. "She isn't very powerful, but she was able to take on Cell and he's really strong now."
Chichi bit her lip and nodded slowly. "I guess you have to be pretty smart to fight someone stronger than you." Though in her mind she was considering how even idiots should know not to fight people who clearly outmatch you.
"Yeah!" Gohan nodded and smiled at his mother. "And she's real nice! She took care of me while we were up on kami's island and she's very pretty!"
A little more carefree, Chichi released a short laugh, "Well, she is a first crush so it can only go up from there!"
Gohan's smile fell and he looked back to the floor. "I'm just kind of worried. Vegita dragged Ranko-san into training with him and you know how he can be."
Chichi nodded. "Don't worry, Gohan. I'm sure things will be fine since they are just training. You'll see her tomorrow."
Biting his lip, Gohan nodded and then hugged his mother. It helped to hear his thoughts echoed in an adult's voice other than his father's. Gohan trusted his dad, but he was also a bit naive about things.
"Thanks, mom," Gohan released her and set off for the bath.
Chichi took a moment to compose herself when her son left. She looked at the door he'd gone out and searched her memories for this Ranko person. She could remember the redhead who had jumped into that androids arms to watch Piccolo's fight. Ranko was a bit reckless and she was a tomboy, but she was a martial artist. She was also at least twice Gohan's age. What had been happening on that island?!
Taking a deep breath, Chichi let it out all at once, "GOKU! I want to know what this Ranko did with my Gohan right now!"
~
The inside of the Chamber of Space and Time looked something like a miniature cathedral. Arched passageways led to bedrooms, courtyards, and the kitchen. Ranko took the first few step in, glancing about the area to examine what they would be given to work with. She rather expected intense training equipment of some kind to explain how Goku and Gohan grew in power so dramatically over the course of one day. There was nothing.
"Maybe a potion or something," Ranko considered. There was a strange feeling about the place. Magic could also be the cause of Gohan's new strength. "I hope my hair doesn't go blond. Look like an idiot."
Vegita snorted. "I wouldn't worry. You're simply an earthling. Hardly capable of the potential we Saiyajins can achieve." He held his arm, trying to work out the numbness that Ranko had set. It would last most of the day unless he knew how to divert ki flows or disengage the shiatsu points.
"I'll bet," Ranko smirked, wiping away a little more blood from her mouth. There was a sizeable bruise there. She knew Vegita had been holding back, but obviously not enough in the other fighters' opinions. She'd seen them, looking on with horror at their small fight, and knew they weren't good enough for her.
It reminded her of Akane, being in the position.
This was different. Ranko was a fighter. She was angry again, kicking aside the earlier depression, and feeling the need to work harder. If something in this damned chamber was going to make her stronger, she was going to take it. If she could achieve the kind of power that the others . . .
"What are you thinking?" Vegita's voice sounded harsh as he strode up to stare down at her. He was only a head taller, but the size of his body stretched like a skyscraper to loom over Ranko. He put his left arm forward. "Fix it and maybe I'll teach you something."
It hung there, his arm. Ranko looked at him a moment, narrowing her eyes. If she wanted to be taken seriously, she would have to make him act serious. Giving in to anyone was beyond her if she wanted to be strong. With a sneer, Ranko headed further into the chamber and out into what looked like a bright courtyard. "Fix it yourself, salmon."
"It's Saiyajin," Vegita growled.
It was white. White as far as Ranko could see. There was a vastness to this place the looked infinite, a vacuous realm that could suffocate a person. "Wh-What is it?"
"This," Vegita looked over the area he'd trained in only a day before, "is the training grounds in the Chamber of Space and Time." He watched her take another step, and then another, until she reached the end of the platform.
Ranko didn't see his smirk, but she felt the sudden press on her body and collapsed in a heap on the floor. She was fortunate to have not walked out further and could roll herself back into normal space. She gasped, looking out astonished at the plane the other fighters had trained in.
Nodding, Vegita stepped up closer. "The grounds beyond this temple are under a constant 3G pressure. It takes a strong mind and will to survive out there. I wouldn't expect much from a girl, so you will stay here and instruct me in your . . . Art." He made out the last part with some distaste, but wasn't about to question its use. "The chamber also works outside of normal time. A day passes on the outside, but a year will go by in here." He gestured upwards where an enormous clock hung suspended like a ghost.
Thinking back, Ranko could remember Gohan as he came out of the bronze doors. He'd looked older. It wouldn't have been noticeable except she'd placed her hand on his head and noticed the height difference.
Taking a deep breath, Ranko stood back up, continuing to stare out into the white plain. "I'm here to train. I will become strong enough to defeat that murdering bastard myself." She glared at the Saiyajin prince. "You cannot stop me."
The two studied each other for a moment, matching glare for glare. In the end, Vegita nodded and put his left arm forward again. Ranko felt along the bicep to the elbow, reconnecting the ki flows. The arm was back to normal in a matter of seconds.
"Let's not waste any more time then," Ranko grinned. Her hands were just finishing releasing Vegita's arm when she grabbed a hold of his wrist. His eyes snapped open for a moment when he noticed his arm locking straight with a twist and then he was hurtled through the air. She probably couldn't take him by surprise like that again, but it made Ranko feel a little better.
She jumped into the plain after him quickly, expecting herself to be ready for the heavier gravity. Ranko didn't quite make it to her target.
Chuckling, Vegita stood up easily and walked over to where Ranko was supporting herself with hands on her knees. "Well?" He leaned back from her kicks and punches, but the situation was too new. Ranko grew tired quickly. Vegita's smile became crueler. "Let's see how nimble you are now, girl."
~
Ranko had lasted maybe ten minutes fighting against Vegita. The Saiyajin had kept himself to normal levels to learn her martial arts techniques. The fact did not go unnoticed by Ranko as Vegita seemed to be lost more in his thoughts over her technique than the fight itself. She knew he was strong, but to be able to ignore this terrible gravity just pissed her off.
When the fight was over, Vegita had looked down on her with a smirk, hardly even sweating and just strolled off to do some more 'intense training'.
She would show him. Ranko's growl came out as a pained moan while crawling towards the free space. Beaten and bruised, she had been left a dozen meters into the white space and had to fend for herself. The smug bastard had just said it would be good for her. "I'll show him," she swore again.
Taking a last trembling step into the free space, Ranko finally collapsed in utter exhaustion. This was some sort of payback for kicking Vegita on that island, she just knew it. They had started sparring in the afternoon, with the fight only lasting some minutes, and she'd only now been able to escape the heavy gravity as it approached evening. This place would definitely make her strong if she could survive it.
Walking up to the edge of the platform, Vegita smirked down at Ranko's sweating, exhausted body and said, "Pathetic."
She could only groan in reply.
It was hours later when Ranko was finally able to work up enough strength to find a kitchen and start cooking up something to eat. The place was well stocked, but everything was in big heavy jars. Two of them had fallen to the ground and Ranko just rummaged through the debris for the food.
Her stomach grumbled.
"I'm so hungry," Ranko moaned in pain and put a hand over her stomach. Her muscles burned, her legs were numb, but Ranko's stomach had long ago become the dictator of her actions. Turning off the heat, Ranko pulled away a big meal of stir-fry and rice, grimacing only slightly. "It ain't Kasumi's."
Vegita walked in and stared at her. "Where's mine?"
Ranko snorted. "What? You think I'd cook for you? Get real."
"Maybe you'll cook for yourself then." Vegita smirked, grabbing Ranko under one arm and holding the bowl of food in his free hand.
Squawking in surprise, Ranko's limbs flailed about, trying to find purchase and attack Vegita at the same time. "Hey! That's mine! Give it back!"
Vegita laughed, not noticing the sudden blur of motion from Ranko. "This should teach you some respect, girl," he said while lifting the bowl to his mouth. It didn't occur to him the bowl was empty until he had tilted his head all the way back. ". . ."
Ranko burped and covered her mouth. Pop's speed eating technique was one of the most useful things she ever learned from the greedy panda.
"What am I supposed to eat?"
Even when he whines it sounds like he's growling, Ranko thought. She was still being held under one of his arms like a lifeless doll, but that didn't matter now that she had eaten. The rest of her body was happy to let someone else do the work. "Cook something. It's not my problem."
Vegita grumbled a bit and then set her down. "I can't cook."
Ranko stumbled off for one of the bedrooms, liking how the day ended on an up-note as she sneered at the Saiyajin. "Pathetic."
End Chapter Four
* * *
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Ja ne.
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