Author's Notes:
I tried to make this chapter long...did I succeed? I can tell ya though, if you guys want long chapters, they'll take a while to come out because it's testing season at my school. *grumbles* So I don't really have a lot of spare time to write right now. But I'm thinking that short chapters can be up maybe every week or so? I don't know. But I promise to keep writing my ass off! And when summer comes, I'll spend every spare moment writing! Also, the reason DCT hasn't been updated lately is cuz I've hit a little writer's block. Don't worry, it's not the first time and I guarantee that I won't quit just cuz of it. I'm too stubborn to do that! Oh, and one more thing...you guys didn't tell me if I should keep Nrocinu in or not. I do have a few prospective plans for her, but I'm not gonna start on them until I know if ya'll like her or not. That being so, she only plays a relatively small part in this chapter. Please tell me if you want her to remain a main character, after all, Bulma needs a friend (remember, Goku was still a kid when Earth was destroyed, so Bulma never met Chi Chi). Alright, I'll shut up now...R&R please! Ja!
Chapter 3: Old Acquaintances
Bulma nearly flew off of her ride at the sharp turns they took with high speeds. Nrocinu was certainly fond of going fast, that much she had learned, and it appeared that her new "friend" also entertained herself by SCARING THE SHIT OUT OF HER UNFORTUNATE COMPANIONS! The fearful human was jarred back to her senses when she actually did get tossed over the Starnicorn's head at the animal's sudden stop. She screamed as she went sailing through the air, expecting a hard landing that would knock her out cold or break something. Bulma slowly opened her eyes to find herself secure in a firm grip, she sighed heavily and clung desperately to her savior. She heard a disgusted snort and felt herself drop to the ground with an unpleasant swiftness. By the time Bulma had recovered enough to stand up, the person who'd caught her was gone, and an unhappy Nrocinu in her bipod form was flipping off a shadow traveling down the hall. The other female turned on Bulma, concern and anger written across her ivory face.
"Are you all right? What the hell did you think you were doing, I told you to hang on tightly did I not?! Did he hurt you?" Nrocinu demanded in a rushed voice.
"I'm fine...you were going a little fast you know...no, he didn't hurt me." groaned Bulma, rubbing her sore spot.
"Damn him! I'm going to have to report him to Ju- I-I mean, Lord Juick. He knows he's not allowed to get away with crap like that!" fumed the Starnicorn.
"Who was that anyway?" Bulma asked, a strange sense of deja-vu settling in her stomach.
"Someone you should hope and pray never to run into again. If Aurerua had a welcoming committee, he most certainly would not be on it." snorted Nrocinu angrily.
Bulma was busily smoothing her dress while Nrocinu was raging, and she only approached her partner when she was sure that the alien had calmed considerably.
"Where are we?" asked the human, taking in her new surroundings for the first time since her rough landing.
"Huh? Oh, I'm taking you to Lord Juick's study. He wants to talk to you in private, after all, you are the newest 'addition' to his collection." answered Nrocinu as she silently read the plates above each door in the hallway, sticking close to the wall to avoid the constant flow of traffic down the middle of the corridor.
Bulma shuddered. If this was supposed to be better than slavery, as Qorgin had assured her it would be, then why was she constantly being referred to as an "addition," like some sort of collectable figurine? She was a living, breathing person...not a little glass ornament. She sighed and followed close behind Nrocinu, watching the flood of aliens rush by warily. The woman nearly bumped into her escort when the Starnicorn again halted abruptly.
"How about getting some tail-lights or something, Nrocinu? I'm going to need plastic surgery on my nose if you keep stopping so quickly!" whined the human, taking a few steps back and scowling.
"What on Eruesias' Moon are you talking about?" demanded the alien.
"Never mind..." sighed Bulma.
"Good. Anyway, we're here. This is Lord Juick's office, he should be inside. I need to go to the space port and see off a visiting ambassador...you should be okay on your own. Remember to be polite, and SMILE! Wipe that look off your face and replace it with one of great pleasure...now!" commanded Nrocinu as she hurried back down the corridor.
Bulma sighed again and smoothed her dress, nervously trying to get rid of any wrinkles in the fabric. Her skilled hands swept up to her hair and pulled and tugged on the strands, making sure they were staying put. Nervously, she put her right paw on the pad next to the door...she took a deep breath and pushed it, causing the entrance panel to slid back and reveal a dark room.
"Ah...Bulma, I've been expecting you." spoke a loud voice, its pronunciation and grammar perfect with a slight French accent.
"I assume you are this 'Lord Juick' I've been hearing about?" questioned Bulma, sounding a lot more confident than she felt.
"Why yes I am." chuckled Juick's rumble. "I'm flattered that you recognize me."
"Recognize? What? I've never met you before in my life!" protested the Earthling.
"Hm...perhaps your memory needs a little jogging, Bulma dear."
"What is with people and shadows?" grumbled Bulma as Juick's footsteps started up, treading lightly in the woman's direction.
Bulma gasped as his familiar form liquefied from the darkness.
"Jhock? Jhock Claude?"
* * * * *
"Yes Emperor. I shall be sure to tell Lord Juick of your wishes." said Nrocinu with a bow.
"Very good. Remember, I am willing to pay a handsome sum for him. I understand Juick's fascination with such...exsquisite specimens of endangered races, but the dear fellow has never been one to turn down such a gracious offer. And I am perfectly suited to make an exchange in addition to my payment...should it be necessary." said the feminine voice of the ambassador.
"Emperor Frieza, I am positive that you and my master can come to some sort of arrangement. But then again, it is not exactly my call..."
"Nrocinu...such a beautiful name...tell your lord that no is not an option. Please have him send me a VID-message when he has the time, won't you?" Frieza demanded more than asked.
"Yes sir." the Starnicorn conceded.
"That's a good girl. I know we'll be seeing each other again soon...toodles." said the emperor with an evil smirk before ascending the ramp to his spaceship.
* * * * *
"I knew you'd remember me...with the right initiative." smiled Jhock/Juick.
"Bu-but...how?" stuttered Bulma, still taking in her old acquaintance.
Jhock Claude looked exactly as when they'd first met...almost 10 years ago...
**Flashback**
"Daddy! I wanna go out and play! This is no fun!" pouted an 8-year old girl with tied-up blue hair.
"Bulma shhh!" scolded her father. "I know that you aren't particularly stimulated by waiting for foreign representatives, Dear, but Monseiur Claude is the founder of a priceless overseas Capsule Technology distributor! The only reason you are here right now is because he is very interested in meeting you."
The child pushed her lower lip out even further and crossed her arms angrily. Dr. Briefs sighed and returned his attention to the view outside the airport building...nothing. Monsieur Jhock Claude of "Viva La Technologie!" had yet to arrive.
3 hours, 46 minutes, 12 seconds, and 76.2 milliseconds later...according to Bulma's shockingly accurate wrist-watch...the owner of C.C.'s associate finally arrived. His sleek jet's silver color reflected the sun bright rays, making Bulma's eyes sore.
"Flashy model." her father commented bitterly under his breath.
"Daddy, it's just a VT-84a...we've got better ones at home." stated Bulma mildly, examining the craft.
Dr. Briefs looked at his daughter in shock, then shook his head and placed his hand between her azure pigtails, "you are truly my daughter..."
Bulma beamed at her father's modest complement. She shifted her attention back to the plane out the window and pressed her nose against the glass as the door on the side opened and a man stepped out. Seeing the couple watching him through the airport window, the Frenchman waved and began his sophisticated walk towards the building. Even though his face reflected the full 23 hours worth of jet-lag he had endured due to the unpredictable flying weather, he held himself tall and proud, earning Bulma's immediate admiration. She grabbed her father's hand and pulled him towards the sliding doors that separated viewers from the runway. The ambassador was scraping his dirty boots on the rug provided inside the entrance when the Briefs father-daughter welcoming committee approached him.
"Monsieur Claude...as always, it is a pleasure." greeted Dr. Briefs, with a bow, holding Bulma's small hand firmly.
"Ah! Doctor Briefs! I must say, it is very good to see you again!" replied the other man in a heavy French accent. "And who might this beautiful little girl be?"
"I'm Bulma Briefs!" chirped the child, examining the foreigner.
She was interested in the fact that the young founder of France's esteemed "Viva La Technologie!" corporation had unusually bright green eyes that, with their sharp, oval shape, uncannily resembled a cat's, obviously the result of splicing...an ingenius way of changing a select few of one's genes to those of any animal desired, quickly gaining popularity in the European countries. Along with his unique pools of color, Monsieur Claude had auburn hair cut to a daring shoulder length, tucked behind his perfectly sized ears so as to expose his eloquantly rounded cheek-bones and tanned skin. His nose had the classic aristocratic upturned tip and his lips gracefully molded into a polite smile as he studied her as well.
"Bulma my dear, it is delightful of you to come see me with your father!" said Jhock after a few moments of silent observation, bending down and taking her free hand, lightly kissing the back of it.
The daughter of Dr. Briefs blushed at his gesture, quickly ducking behind her father and tracing circles with her right foot. "Gee, Mister Claude...you didn't have to go and do that." she giggled.
"Ah, but my little mademoiselle, it is a custom in my beloved France to greet a lady in such a way. And a pretty little flower such as yourself can hardly be deemed an exception." countered the man, winking at the girl.
Bulma's face flushed even darker, making her look like a patriotic (A/N: Get it? Red face, white skin, and blue hair! ^_^ ) form of clown. Done with flattering his associate's offspring, Monsieur Jhock Claude shifted his attention back to Dr. Briefs.
"Knick Briefs. How long has it been since you last came to see me?" exclaimed Jhon, opening his arms for an embrace. "And where is the lovely Mademoiselle Briefs today?"
"My wife is at home, taking care of her flowers." admitted Dr. Briefs, backing away from the foreigner slightly.
Jhock noticed this and a small frown darkened his handsome face. But he quickly covered it with a warm smile.
"Still a little wary of me, eh my friend?" said Jhock with a wry chuckle. "That was years ago my dear man, when will you let by-gones be by-gones?"
"Monsieur Claude, I do believe you came here for something other than to have a chat about the past?" grunted Dr. Briefs, casting a warning glare at Bulma's curious face. The girl rolled her eyes at her father's stern look and once again shifted her attention to the extremely attractive Frenchman.
The other man shook his head and muttered a few choice words under his breath before straightening up and giving a dry chuckle. "You are right, Knick, I came to speak business with you and to see this darling child you have bragged so much about."
Bulma's face beamed again as she absorbed Jhock's praise. "I'm so smart that Daddy took me out of school." she proclaimed proudly. "He said that it was slowing me down. I'm already working at a 6th grade level."
"And at such a young age too! You are truly a remarkable little girl, Madamoiselle Bulma. Perhaps I will require your...assistance when you are older, of course if you are willing. It is never my intention to force anyone to do anything." said Jhock with yet another wink.
Dr. Briefs snorted quietly under his breath at this, going unnoticed by the other two. "Monsieur Claude, shall we get down to business now? I do believe a new trading contract needs to be put in order for us to maintain this 'industry relationship' as you put it."
"Yes, I think that I am done with your daughter now. I have gathered all that I need." agreed Claude.
"Wha-? You haven't found out anything about me though!" protested the child, eager to show off her intelligence.
"But, my dear, I have. You are a beautiful, smart, and clever girl. That is all I wanted to know. You will suit my purposes perfectly..."
At Monsieur Claude's cold words, Bulma shivered. Her father's face darkened and the billionaire put his arm protectively around his daughter's shoulders, allowing her to seek comfort in his side. "That will be quite enough, Jhock." said Dr. Briefs firmly. "Now leave my child be and let us get to work."
"But of course, Doctor. First let me get my things." consented the Frenchman, a sly grin on his face as he shuffled away to collect his baggage.
"He gives me the creeps, Daddy. What did he mean?" questioned Bulma innocently.
"I honestly don't know, Honey, but I can assure you that you will never have to deal with him again. I plan to break off our partnership with 'Viva' immediately. Jhock Claude has been nothing but a risk since I first accepted him into C.C.'s Universal Trading Board. But enough is enough. Dear, go find Boxer and tell him to bring the car around." instructed Dr. Briefs, waving his daughter away. Bulma nodded and started off, but not without hearing her father's quietly muttered words. "I'll be damned before allowing that rubish to ride in the same car as me. He's as crooked as a politician, but much, much more dangerous..."
**End Flashback**
"Yes, yes my dear, Jhock Claude and Lord Juick are one and the same. They are both me." grinned the figure from Bulma's past.
"Bu-but how? Monsieur Claude died journeying back to France. His plane hit heavy turbulence and went down in the Indian Ocean! I saw the news story! I went to his...your...funeral!" exclaimed Bulma in disbelief.
"Jhock was simply my alias. As I said back then, Bulma dear, I came to Japan to gather information on you. Then I faked my own death and returned home...to Aurerua." replied Juick calmly, watching Bulma's shocked face with amusement. Children, so gullible and naive. Give them a crayon and they color a picture, believing whatever they imagine to be true. In this case, the death of the owner of a "valuable C.C. overseas company," an establishment that had never even truly been there in the first place. It was simply a fabricated operation that only stayed active for two years, a secret from most of the world. Juick had taken meticulous care to erase all remaining evidence of "Viva" and his existence before leaving Earth. He had to make sure to completely cover his tracks or risk discovery by one or more of his numerous enemies. After all, a wealthy alien that made his profit by deceiving fools could never be too careful in a world full of malicious and unsatisfied customers.
"Bu-but...why?" stuttered the woman, confusion swirling about in her darkening blue eyes.
"Why, my dear? Why? Because I can. I hold more power and influence than anyone you have ever met. You should be thanking me, not questioning me. I saved you from your race's destruction, you are the last of the humans, and I thought you to be important enough to spare." answered Juick.
"What are you talking about? No one knew that the Tuekes were going to invade Earth! That they were going to enslave our population! You didn't save me, my father did. He put me on the ship when their enforcers first began arriving, not you. He locked in the coordinates, not you. He sent me away...he gave up his freedom, and life, for mine!" cried Bulma, tears streaming down her cheeks. "He died because he saved me."
"You are wrong." crowed Juick angrily. "He built that ship because I told him to. He locked in the coordinates I gave him. He died because he was foolish enough to believe what I was saying was false, that I was merely trying to drain him of his finances. The only reason he produced the protocol was because it was part of our partnership contract. So you see, Bulma, you are alive because I knew what was going to happen to the earth. Did Qorgin not tell you of my race's psychic abilities? I can tell the future, I saw all that was to happen to Earth, saw how I would not be able to prevent its eventual destruction...that I was not able to save the entire human race from extinction. But I could not just let an entire legacy simply disappear, it is against my morals. So I traveled to Earth, resided in quiet observation, waiting to find the select human or two to spare. When I heard that the famous Doctor Briefs had a 'prodigy child,' I knew I had found my target. That was you, Bulma. Of course, I had to see you for myself, I did not believe that such a perfect combination of beauty and brains could exist on that backwater planet called Earth. Of course, I mistakingly expressed my interest in you when the doctor and I first met. I asked that you come to France and help me develop my company into a successful establishment like C.C. He became angry at me and refused, he never forgave me for trying to 'kidnap' his precious little girl. But I was only trying to save you the pain of seeing them all enslaved and killed. I could have taken you away then and there, raised you as my own child, blocking you from the despair you have been enduring for so long. But your selfish father would have none of it. He was stupid, and his stupidity cost him his life!"
Bulma gaped at the man before her. Her tears stopped flooding from her eyes and she boldly strode up to Juick, she raised her hand and smacked him as hard as she could manage. "Don't tell me what my father was." she growled angrily. "He was a kind, intelligent man who loved his family and his work dearly. To him, I was a daughter. To you, I am a collectible. I would rather suffer the pain of seeing my father and mother disappear below me 40 times over than to be spared it by growing up thinking I'm your child."
Loud clapping filled the room and Bulma started, spinning around to face the open door with a venomous scowl on her face. Juick covered his face with a hand and sighed deeply, the last thing he needed was for THAT cocky jackass to interrupt his meeting with Bulma. This wasn't going to be good. Not at all...
Author's Notes:
Oo-hoo-hoo! And we have here the first and second encounters between Bulma and Vegeta! Or do we? ^_~ I'm not telling! And we discovered that Bulma and Juick have met before AND exactly what happened to Earth, but what do these have to do with anything? I don't exactly know...yet! But I do know that I've got lotsa plans for this interesting little "development"...^_~ Remember, the faster the reviews come, the faster the chapters come! I want at least 20 reviews before chapter 4 comes out, so start commenting! And I welcome flames, after all, how else can I become a better author? Just remember to make sure they're CONSTRUCTIVE! Don't review just to say you hate my plot or my characters, I'm demanding SPECIFIC reasons. *Ahem* Thank you and sayonara.
Also...
Knick = What I'm using as Dr. Briefs' first name. Not a spelling mistake. I got it from knickers...the British word for underwear [I think -_-']. It was either that or John (as in long johns), but I think that Knick is more creative...and what I say goes! Hey, at least I'm keeping with tradition! ^_^
I tried to make this chapter long...did I succeed? I can tell ya though, if you guys want long chapters, they'll take a while to come out because it's testing season at my school. *grumbles* So I don't really have a lot of spare time to write right now. But I'm thinking that short chapters can be up maybe every week or so? I don't know. But I promise to keep writing my ass off! And when summer comes, I'll spend every spare moment writing! Also, the reason DCT hasn't been updated lately is cuz I've hit a little writer's block. Don't worry, it's not the first time and I guarantee that I won't quit just cuz of it. I'm too stubborn to do that! Oh, and one more thing...you guys didn't tell me if I should keep Nrocinu in or not. I do have a few prospective plans for her, but I'm not gonna start on them until I know if ya'll like her or not. That being so, she only plays a relatively small part in this chapter. Please tell me if you want her to remain a main character, after all, Bulma needs a friend (remember, Goku was still a kid when Earth was destroyed, so Bulma never met Chi Chi). Alright, I'll shut up now...R&R please! Ja!
Chapter 3: Old Acquaintances
Bulma nearly flew off of her ride at the sharp turns they took with high speeds. Nrocinu was certainly fond of going fast, that much she had learned, and it appeared that her new "friend" also entertained herself by SCARING THE SHIT OUT OF HER UNFORTUNATE COMPANIONS! The fearful human was jarred back to her senses when she actually did get tossed over the Starnicorn's head at the animal's sudden stop. She screamed as she went sailing through the air, expecting a hard landing that would knock her out cold or break something. Bulma slowly opened her eyes to find herself secure in a firm grip, she sighed heavily and clung desperately to her savior. She heard a disgusted snort and felt herself drop to the ground with an unpleasant swiftness. By the time Bulma had recovered enough to stand up, the person who'd caught her was gone, and an unhappy Nrocinu in her bipod form was flipping off a shadow traveling down the hall. The other female turned on Bulma, concern and anger written across her ivory face.
"Are you all right? What the hell did you think you were doing, I told you to hang on tightly did I not?! Did he hurt you?" Nrocinu demanded in a rushed voice.
"I'm fine...you were going a little fast you know...no, he didn't hurt me." groaned Bulma, rubbing her sore spot.
"Damn him! I'm going to have to report him to Ju- I-I mean, Lord Juick. He knows he's not allowed to get away with crap like that!" fumed the Starnicorn.
"Who was that anyway?" Bulma asked, a strange sense of deja-vu settling in her stomach.
"Someone you should hope and pray never to run into again. If Aurerua had a welcoming committee, he most certainly would not be on it." snorted Nrocinu angrily.
Bulma was busily smoothing her dress while Nrocinu was raging, and she only approached her partner when she was sure that the alien had calmed considerably.
"Where are we?" asked the human, taking in her new surroundings for the first time since her rough landing.
"Huh? Oh, I'm taking you to Lord Juick's study. He wants to talk to you in private, after all, you are the newest 'addition' to his collection." answered Nrocinu as she silently read the plates above each door in the hallway, sticking close to the wall to avoid the constant flow of traffic down the middle of the corridor.
Bulma shuddered. If this was supposed to be better than slavery, as Qorgin had assured her it would be, then why was she constantly being referred to as an "addition," like some sort of collectable figurine? She was a living, breathing person...not a little glass ornament. She sighed and followed close behind Nrocinu, watching the flood of aliens rush by warily. The woman nearly bumped into her escort when the Starnicorn again halted abruptly.
"How about getting some tail-lights or something, Nrocinu? I'm going to need plastic surgery on my nose if you keep stopping so quickly!" whined the human, taking a few steps back and scowling.
"What on Eruesias' Moon are you talking about?" demanded the alien.
"Never mind..." sighed Bulma.
"Good. Anyway, we're here. This is Lord Juick's office, he should be inside. I need to go to the space port and see off a visiting ambassador...you should be okay on your own. Remember to be polite, and SMILE! Wipe that look off your face and replace it with one of great pleasure...now!" commanded Nrocinu as she hurried back down the corridor.
Bulma sighed again and smoothed her dress, nervously trying to get rid of any wrinkles in the fabric. Her skilled hands swept up to her hair and pulled and tugged on the strands, making sure they were staying put. Nervously, she put her right paw on the pad next to the door...she took a deep breath and pushed it, causing the entrance panel to slid back and reveal a dark room.
"Ah...Bulma, I've been expecting you." spoke a loud voice, its pronunciation and grammar perfect with a slight French accent.
"I assume you are this 'Lord Juick' I've been hearing about?" questioned Bulma, sounding a lot more confident than she felt.
"Why yes I am." chuckled Juick's rumble. "I'm flattered that you recognize me."
"Recognize? What? I've never met you before in my life!" protested the Earthling.
"Hm...perhaps your memory needs a little jogging, Bulma dear."
"What is with people and shadows?" grumbled Bulma as Juick's footsteps started up, treading lightly in the woman's direction.
Bulma gasped as his familiar form liquefied from the darkness.
"Jhock? Jhock Claude?"
* * * * *
"Yes Emperor. I shall be sure to tell Lord Juick of your wishes." said Nrocinu with a bow.
"Very good. Remember, I am willing to pay a handsome sum for him. I understand Juick's fascination with such...exsquisite specimens of endangered races, but the dear fellow has never been one to turn down such a gracious offer. And I am perfectly suited to make an exchange in addition to my payment...should it be necessary." said the feminine voice of the ambassador.
"Emperor Frieza, I am positive that you and my master can come to some sort of arrangement. But then again, it is not exactly my call..."
"Nrocinu...such a beautiful name...tell your lord that no is not an option. Please have him send me a VID-message when he has the time, won't you?" Frieza demanded more than asked.
"Yes sir." the Starnicorn conceded.
"That's a good girl. I know we'll be seeing each other again soon...toodles." said the emperor with an evil smirk before ascending the ramp to his spaceship.
* * * * *
"I knew you'd remember me...with the right initiative." smiled Jhock/Juick.
"Bu-but...how?" stuttered Bulma, still taking in her old acquaintance.
Jhock Claude looked exactly as when they'd first met...almost 10 years ago...
**Flashback**
"Daddy! I wanna go out and play! This is no fun!" pouted an 8-year old girl with tied-up blue hair.
"Bulma shhh!" scolded her father. "I know that you aren't particularly stimulated by waiting for foreign representatives, Dear, but Monseiur Claude is the founder of a priceless overseas Capsule Technology distributor! The only reason you are here right now is because he is very interested in meeting you."
The child pushed her lower lip out even further and crossed her arms angrily. Dr. Briefs sighed and returned his attention to the view outside the airport building...nothing. Monsieur Jhock Claude of "Viva La Technologie!" had yet to arrive.
3 hours, 46 minutes, 12 seconds, and 76.2 milliseconds later...according to Bulma's shockingly accurate wrist-watch...the owner of C.C.'s associate finally arrived. His sleek jet's silver color reflected the sun bright rays, making Bulma's eyes sore.
"Flashy model." her father commented bitterly under his breath.
"Daddy, it's just a VT-84a...we've got better ones at home." stated Bulma mildly, examining the craft.
Dr. Briefs looked at his daughter in shock, then shook his head and placed his hand between her azure pigtails, "you are truly my daughter..."
Bulma beamed at her father's modest complement. She shifted her attention back to the plane out the window and pressed her nose against the glass as the door on the side opened and a man stepped out. Seeing the couple watching him through the airport window, the Frenchman waved and began his sophisticated walk towards the building. Even though his face reflected the full 23 hours worth of jet-lag he had endured due to the unpredictable flying weather, he held himself tall and proud, earning Bulma's immediate admiration. She grabbed her father's hand and pulled him towards the sliding doors that separated viewers from the runway. The ambassador was scraping his dirty boots on the rug provided inside the entrance when the Briefs father-daughter welcoming committee approached him.
"Monsieur Claude...as always, it is a pleasure." greeted Dr. Briefs, with a bow, holding Bulma's small hand firmly.
"Ah! Doctor Briefs! I must say, it is very good to see you again!" replied the other man in a heavy French accent. "And who might this beautiful little girl be?"
"I'm Bulma Briefs!" chirped the child, examining the foreigner.
She was interested in the fact that the young founder of France's esteemed "Viva La Technologie!" corporation had unusually bright green eyes that, with their sharp, oval shape, uncannily resembled a cat's, obviously the result of splicing...an ingenius way of changing a select few of one's genes to those of any animal desired, quickly gaining popularity in the European countries. Along with his unique pools of color, Monsieur Claude had auburn hair cut to a daring shoulder length, tucked behind his perfectly sized ears so as to expose his eloquantly rounded cheek-bones and tanned skin. His nose had the classic aristocratic upturned tip and his lips gracefully molded into a polite smile as he studied her as well.
"Bulma my dear, it is delightful of you to come see me with your father!" said Jhock after a few moments of silent observation, bending down and taking her free hand, lightly kissing the back of it.
The daughter of Dr. Briefs blushed at his gesture, quickly ducking behind her father and tracing circles with her right foot. "Gee, Mister Claude...you didn't have to go and do that." she giggled.
"Ah, but my little mademoiselle, it is a custom in my beloved France to greet a lady in such a way. And a pretty little flower such as yourself can hardly be deemed an exception." countered the man, winking at the girl.
Bulma's face flushed even darker, making her look like a patriotic (A/N: Get it? Red face, white skin, and blue hair! ^_^ ) form of clown. Done with flattering his associate's offspring, Monsieur Jhock Claude shifted his attention back to Dr. Briefs.
"Knick Briefs. How long has it been since you last came to see me?" exclaimed Jhon, opening his arms for an embrace. "And where is the lovely Mademoiselle Briefs today?"
"My wife is at home, taking care of her flowers." admitted Dr. Briefs, backing away from the foreigner slightly.
Jhock noticed this and a small frown darkened his handsome face. But he quickly covered it with a warm smile.
"Still a little wary of me, eh my friend?" said Jhock with a wry chuckle. "That was years ago my dear man, when will you let by-gones be by-gones?"
"Monsieur Claude, I do believe you came here for something other than to have a chat about the past?" grunted Dr. Briefs, casting a warning glare at Bulma's curious face. The girl rolled her eyes at her father's stern look and once again shifted her attention to the extremely attractive Frenchman.
The other man shook his head and muttered a few choice words under his breath before straightening up and giving a dry chuckle. "You are right, Knick, I came to speak business with you and to see this darling child you have bragged so much about."
Bulma's face beamed again as she absorbed Jhock's praise. "I'm so smart that Daddy took me out of school." she proclaimed proudly. "He said that it was slowing me down. I'm already working at a 6th grade level."
"And at such a young age too! You are truly a remarkable little girl, Madamoiselle Bulma. Perhaps I will require your...assistance when you are older, of course if you are willing. It is never my intention to force anyone to do anything." said Jhock with yet another wink.
Dr. Briefs snorted quietly under his breath at this, going unnoticed by the other two. "Monsieur Claude, shall we get down to business now? I do believe a new trading contract needs to be put in order for us to maintain this 'industry relationship' as you put it."
"Yes, I think that I am done with your daughter now. I have gathered all that I need." agreed Claude.
"Wha-? You haven't found out anything about me though!" protested the child, eager to show off her intelligence.
"But, my dear, I have. You are a beautiful, smart, and clever girl. That is all I wanted to know. You will suit my purposes perfectly..."
At Monsieur Claude's cold words, Bulma shivered. Her father's face darkened and the billionaire put his arm protectively around his daughter's shoulders, allowing her to seek comfort in his side. "That will be quite enough, Jhock." said Dr. Briefs firmly. "Now leave my child be and let us get to work."
"But of course, Doctor. First let me get my things." consented the Frenchman, a sly grin on his face as he shuffled away to collect his baggage.
"He gives me the creeps, Daddy. What did he mean?" questioned Bulma innocently.
"I honestly don't know, Honey, but I can assure you that you will never have to deal with him again. I plan to break off our partnership with 'Viva' immediately. Jhock Claude has been nothing but a risk since I first accepted him into C.C.'s Universal Trading Board. But enough is enough. Dear, go find Boxer and tell him to bring the car around." instructed Dr. Briefs, waving his daughter away. Bulma nodded and started off, but not without hearing her father's quietly muttered words. "I'll be damned before allowing that rubish to ride in the same car as me. He's as crooked as a politician, but much, much more dangerous..."
**End Flashback**
"Yes, yes my dear, Jhock Claude and Lord Juick are one and the same. They are both me." grinned the figure from Bulma's past.
"Bu-but how? Monsieur Claude died journeying back to France. His plane hit heavy turbulence and went down in the Indian Ocean! I saw the news story! I went to his...your...funeral!" exclaimed Bulma in disbelief.
"Jhock was simply my alias. As I said back then, Bulma dear, I came to Japan to gather information on you. Then I faked my own death and returned home...to Aurerua." replied Juick calmly, watching Bulma's shocked face with amusement. Children, so gullible and naive. Give them a crayon and they color a picture, believing whatever they imagine to be true. In this case, the death of the owner of a "valuable C.C. overseas company," an establishment that had never even truly been there in the first place. It was simply a fabricated operation that only stayed active for two years, a secret from most of the world. Juick had taken meticulous care to erase all remaining evidence of "Viva" and his existence before leaving Earth. He had to make sure to completely cover his tracks or risk discovery by one or more of his numerous enemies. After all, a wealthy alien that made his profit by deceiving fools could never be too careful in a world full of malicious and unsatisfied customers.
"Bu-but...why?" stuttered the woman, confusion swirling about in her darkening blue eyes.
"Why, my dear? Why? Because I can. I hold more power and influence than anyone you have ever met. You should be thanking me, not questioning me. I saved you from your race's destruction, you are the last of the humans, and I thought you to be important enough to spare." answered Juick.
"What are you talking about? No one knew that the Tuekes were going to invade Earth! That they were going to enslave our population! You didn't save me, my father did. He put me on the ship when their enforcers first began arriving, not you. He locked in the coordinates, not you. He sent me away...he gave up his freedom, and life, for mine!" cried Bulma, tears streaming down her cheeks. "He died because he saved me."
"You are wrong." crowed Juick angrily. "He built that ship because I told him to. He locked in the coordinates I gave him. He died because he was foolish enough to believe what I was saying was false, that I was merely trying to drain him of his finances. The only reason he produced the protocol was because it was part of our partnership contract. So you see, Bulma, you are alive because I knew what was going to happen to the earth. Did Qorgin not tell you of my race's psychic abilities? I can tell the future, I saw all that was to happen to Earth, saw how I would not be able to prevent its eventual destruction...that I was not able to save the entire human race from extinction. But I could not just let an entire legacy simply disappear, it is against my morals. So I traveled to Earth, resided in quiet observation, waiting to find the select human or two to spare. When I heard that the famous Doctor Briefs had a 'prodigy child,' I knew I had found my target. That was you, Bulma. Of course, I had to see you for myself, I did not believe that such a perfect combination of beauty and brains could exist on that backwater planet called Earth. Of course, I mistakingly expressed my interest in you when the doctor and I first met. I asked that you come to France and help me develop my company into a successful establishment like C.C. He became angry at me and refused, he never forgave me for trying to 'kidnap' his precious little girl. But I was only trying to save you the pain of seeing them all enslaved and killed. I could have taken you away then and there, raised you as my own child, blocking you from the despair you have been enduring for so long. But your selfish father would have none of it. He was stupid, and his stupidity cost him his life!"
Bulma gaped at the man before her. Her tears stopped flooding from her eyes and she boldly strode up to Juick, she raised her hand and smacked him as hard as she could manage. "Don't tell me what my father was." she growled angrily. "He was a kind, intelligent man who loved his family and his work dearly. To him, I was a daughter. To you, I am a collectible. I would rather suffer the pain of seeing my father and mother disappear below me 40 times over than to be spared it by growing up thinking I'm your child."
Loud clapping filled the room and Bulma started, spinning around to face the open door with a venomous scowl on her face. Juick covered his face with a hand and sighed deeply, the last thing he needed was for THAT cocky jackass to interrupt his meeting with Bulma. This wasn't going to be good. Not at all...
Author's Notes:
Oo-hoo-hoo! And we have here the first and second encounters between Bulma and Vegeta! Or do we? ^_~ I'm not telling! And we discovered that Bulma and Juick have met before AND exactly what happened to Earth, but what do these have to do with anything? I don't exactly know...yet! But I do know that I've got lotsa plans for this interesting little "development"...^_~ Remember, the faster the reviews come, the faster the chapters come! I want at least 20 reviews before chapter 4 comes out, so start commenting! And I welcome flames, after all, how else can I become a better author? Just remember to make sure they're CONSTRUCTIVE! Don't review just to say you hate my plot or my characters, I'm demanding SPECIFIC reasons. *Ahem* Thank you and sayonara.
Also...
Knick = What I'm using as Dr. Briefs' first name. Not a spelling mistake. I got it from knickers...the British word for underwear [I think -_-']. It was either that or John (as in long johns), but I think that Knick is more creative...and what I say goes! Hey, at least I'm keeping with tradition! ^_^