Gomen!! Gomen!! I know I was going to update a lot sooner but the pre-
Christmas season was really crazy. Then after Christmas I was really busy
working on some details for the anime convention "Bakuretsu Con" (I am a
staff member). I finally had time to finish the chapter but then the disk
was lost behind my desk!! Ahhhh! So now, finally I have it all together. I
will try not to let it lag so long this time for the next update. We will
see what happens. Now I want to take the time to say: Thanks very much for
reading my DBZ fanfic! Thank you especially to Brucie Lee, Sabi, Reika
Zelon, Uber Rei, Ivy, Minnie, and VegetasWife for their reviews. And as
always:
Disclaimer: Like all the other fanfic writers, I only wish I owned DBZ. If I did I would be animating this story instead of posting it as a text file.
Chapter 7: Picking Up the Pieces
Sakura's eyes opened to an unfamiliar sight. "Huh? Where am I." She said out loud to herself. She sat up in bed, a little more than confused. She took in the entire bedroom, trying to piece things together. "Oh yeah! Baka!" She exclaimed as she gently wrapped herself on the top of her head with her fist. ~This is the Capsule Corp building. Trunks brought me here last night. Trunks.~ The thought of him made her blush slightly. ~Well, I guess I better get dressed and see what fate has in store for me today.~ With that she crawled out of bed and went over to her bag and pulled out a pair of black jeans and a creamy yellow shirt. She left the clothes on her bed and went into her bathroom to get cleaned up. The shower water felt so good against her skin. It was the first time she had a chance to really get some of the hidden blood and dirt off of her body from yesterday. As she stood in the shower she replayed some of yesterday's events in her head. ~I guess it is going to be a day of solving mysteries. But right now, I don't want to think about all that. I just want to relax and enjoy the water.~ She completed her thought with a smile.
Trunks gave a soft knock on Sakura's door, but received no answer. He knocked again a little louder. "Sakura. Sakura, are you there?" Has asked through the door. Still no answer. He was starting to get a little worried. He knocked real loudly one last time. "Sakura, I am coming in." He shouted through the door.
He slowly opened the door and peered inside her room. There was no sign of her anywhere. He walked into the room and the sound of running water could be heard from behind the closed bathroom door. He realized she must be taking a shower and felt a little embarrassed for being in her room. He quietly made his way back to the door and exited.
Sakura dressed and ready herself for another long day. She picked Trunks jacket up from her bed and made her way to his room. Knocking on the door, she quickly received a reply. "Come in." Trunks' voice responded through the door.
Sakura opened the door very cautiously to see Trunks sitting in the chair at his desk reading a newspaper. "Good morning Sakura!" He said in a most cheerful voice. "Did you sleep well last night?"
"I did, thank you for asking." Sakura answered with a smile. She then handed him his jacket. "Thanks again for letting me wear your jacket. And I am Sorry to have caused any trouble late last night." She once again apologized for last night's ruckus.
"I told you, it was no trouble at all. Don't worry about a thing, everything is alright." Trunks said we his usual smile as he took the jacket from her and put it on over his usual black tank top. "How about some breakfast?"
"Sure! That would be great! I think the effects of Chi Chi's great meal are finally wearing off." Sakura's eyes lit up at the though of food. And as if on cue, her stomach made a low growl in protest to it's morning emptiness.
Sakura and Trunks both started to giggle at the uncanny timing of her stomach. Trunks made a motion to the door. "Well then, we better get some food. I just hope that we get to the kitchen before Vegeta, or there won't be anything left." Trunks replied to the need for food.
~Oh no! Not him again.~ Sakura thought to herself. I just know he is going to yell at me again. But then again, something inside me doesn't really mind if he does. I feel like I should know him for some reason. I just can't place my finger on why he seems familiar to me. Sakura's mind wondered around as her and Trunks made their way to the kitchen. ~Should I ask Trunks about Bulma?~ Sakura thought to herself. ~I wonder if he would think I am being too nosey if I asked him personal questions. I guess I will just have to play it by ear and see what happens.~
Upon arriving to the kitchen, they found that it was not yet occupied by the other members of the household. "Have a seat." Trunks motioned to the table. "Would you like some juice?"
"Sure, that would be nice." Sakura answered.
"Orange juice ok with you?" Trunks asked as he looked in the fridge.
"Sure!" Sakura said in an upbeat tone.
Trunks poured a couple of glasses of orange juice and placed them on the table. "What would you like for breakfast? We have pretty much anything you can think of." He then asked.
"Well, I am not really sure I would be up to anything too involved." Sakura replied in a cautious tone of voice. "How about some cereal?" She then asked.
"Ok, Cereal it is!" Trunks responded happily. "What kind would you like? I'll name them off for you."
"Oh, that's ok." Sakura's smile was present once again. "Just give me something sweet, you know. The good stuff." Sakura added in.
"The good stuff huh? I think I can come up with something that fits that description." Trunks said as he opened up a cupboard and scanned the many boxes. "Here we go, just what we are looking for." He pulled out a box and emptied the contents into two good-sized bowls. After filling the rest of the bowls up with milk he placed the bowls on the table. One for Sakura, and one for himself.
Sakura looked at the breakfast before her and spoke. "Oooh! Marshmallow Crispies, My favorite!" She exclaimed.
Trunks looked up from his cereal bowl at her with a big grin. "Mine too."
Sakura giggled in response as she continued to eat her cereal. They both ate in what was as close to silence as could be, over the noise of the crunching cereal. Sakura was trying to think of what she could ask Trunks without being too conspicuous. Meanwhile, Trunks was thinking about where he would start his search for clues about the monster that attacked Sakura.
"Trunks?" Sakura broke the silence.
"Yeah." Trunks answered as he fished his last spoonful of cereal.
"I was wondering, is Bulma your sister?" Sakura asked in an inquisitive voice.
"Not exactly." Trunks answered in a low voice. Not wanting to tell her as much as she deserved to know. "She is a relative of mine."
Sakura ate the last of her cereal and tried again to start a conversation. "I heard you say something about going home yesterday. Are you just here to visit?" Sakura inquired once more.
"Not exactly." Trunks once again gave the elusive answer. "Look, I have some important stuff to do." Trunks continued as he got up from the table. "Bulma is going to go with you today and help you get the rest of your things." Trunks' answer startled Sakura a bit, it was the first time he had acted so coldly to her. "I will talk to you later, when I get back. Make yourself at home while you wait for Bulma. " With that Trunks hurried out the door. Sakura sat at the table a little dazed. She looked down at her now empty cereal bowl and then over to where Trunks had sat. ~I knew I should have keep quiet. I should never have asked Trunks such personal questions.~ She let out a heavy breath and got up from the table. She brought the dishes over to the sink and washed them. ~Well, I have no one to blame but myself. I will just have to apologize to him when he gets back.~
Sakura's heart ached as she walked to the living room. ~Already, I have grown so attached to him. I always did have that problem. I easily get attached to things, to people.~ Sakura's thoughts flooded her mind as she let out a sigh.
The living room was quiet, it seemed no one was up yet. Sakura sat on the sofa and picked up a magazine from the table. It was a woman's magazine filled with fashion and food, love advice and all that womany stuff. ~Well, not my first choice in entertainment.~ Sakura thought to herself. ~But who am I to be a picky house guest.~ She flipped through the pages to pass the time.
Else where Trunks flew to the edge of the city where the random monster attacks were said to have taken place. His mind was filled with thoughts about the questions Sakura had asked him and how coldly he had treated her before he left. ~Man, I didn't want to treat Sakura that way. She must think I am such a jerk for taking off on her like that. I just don't know what to tell her. It isn't like I can say "Yeah, Bulma is my mom and Vegeta is my dad. I came from the future to save the past. How's your life been?"~ As he completed his thought with his trademark frown. He furrowed his eyebrows in deep thought. ~What can I say to her? How can I answer the questions she asks without telling her what she wants to know?~ He let out an exasperated sigh.
As he flew over the city he reached an area that looked like a small war zone. "That must be what I am looking for." He said out loud to himself. He touched down on the ground next to an area roped off with police tape. It was once likely to be a quiet little street corner that was turned to a war zone yesterday. There was damage to the building on the corner, it looked like something had run into it. Bits of rubble filled the sidewalk and had yet to be cleaned up. The pole of the streetlight that was once straight was now crooked. A few personal items lay strewn on the ground. A baseball hat, shreds of a shopping bag, a travel mug. A few other small and now useless items lay about. He inspected the area carefully, looking for any useful clues. He found none.
"Where can I get the information I need to solve this mystery." Trunks asked himself. ~If only I was here yesterday, I could have asked some of the witnesses. But what can I do now? Unless..~ Trunks turned to view the businesses across the street. A jewelry store, bakery, and dentist's office lined the sidewalk. "Maybe." Was the only thing Trunks uttered under his breath. Trunks entered the Jewelry store in hopes that someone there could give him some useful information.
"Good morning sir" A sales clerk greeted him as he entered the store. "Is there anything I can help you find? Something nice for your girlfriend, perhaps?" The woman chimed.
"I don't have a girlfriend." Trunks replied red-faced as he averted his gaze to the floor.
"Oh!" The woman's surprise to his response was obvious. "I thought that."
"I actually didn't come here to buy anything. I came here to ask some questions about the attack across the street yesterday." Trunks spoke with a most serious tone in his voice. "Did anyone see what happened by any chance?"
The woman's pleasant face changed to an uneasy look. "Young man, I have already given all the information I have to the police. It was a horrifying experience, one I shan't want to remember. I don't know who you work for but unless this official police business I ask you to leave."
"I am very sorry to ask you such a thing, but this is very important. My friend was attacked by the same monster yesterday. This information is vital to her safety." Trunks continued on with determination and concern in his eyes.
The lady sighed, she could tell that he was very serious. There was someone he was trying to protect, it was obvious. "Very well. What would you like to know?
Trunks talked to the woman for several minutes. Thanks to her information he was able to locate the area of woods the monster had emerged from. He was able to pick up a trail, which he followed for about 3 miles out of town. That was the point where he lost site of it.
In another wooded area out of town Bulma landed her hover plane near the remains of Sakura's house. "What's wrong Sakura?" Bulma asked her passenger. "I know that this is no easy task, but you haven't said a word sine we left Capsule Corp."
"I'm sorry Bulma, I was lost in thought." Sakura turned to Bulma with a forced smile. "Thank you for helping me like this, I really appreciate it."
"No problem." Bulma replied as she grabbed a case from next to her seat. "Shall we get to work?" As she motioned to what was left of Sakura's house.
"Sure!" Sakura responded in an upbeat tone.
Bulma removed some capsules from the case she carried in her hand. She activated them and gave them a toss. Before the two women crates appeared. Each one was filled with compartments for packing all kinds of goods. Sakura and Bulma worked to the after noon packing anything of value to be found in the rubble of the once proud home. The girls chatted through the day, taking a break at lunch to eat the sandwiches Bulma had packed.
When their job was finished Bulma returned the crates to their capsules and gave the case to Sakura. "Someday these things will return to the home they belong in. For now you can keep them anywhere you like." Bulma recited as she handed her the case with a smile.
"I can't say thank you enough, Bulma." Sakura looked to Bulma with heartfelt gratitude in her eyes. "I may no longer have my home, but thanks to Trunks I still have my life. And thanks to you, I have everything else."
"Well for as long as you need it, Capsule Corp will be your home." Bulma stated in a matter of fact tone of voice.
"Ok!" Sakura exclaimed suddenly. "Let's go home!" She continued as she raised her arm in a forward motion.
~Now, what am I going to say to Trunks when we get there? Sakura thought as the hover plane ascended from the ground.
Disclaimer: Like all the other fanfic writers, I only wish I owned DBZ. If I did I would be animating this story instead of posting it as a text file.
Chapter 7: Picking Up the Pieces
Sakura's eyes opened to an unfamiliar sight. "Huh? Where am I." She said out loud to herself. She sat up in bed, a little more than confused. She took in the entire bedroom, trying to piece things together. "Oh yeah! Baka!" She exclaimed as she gently wrapped herself on the top of her head with her fist. ~This is the Capsule Corp building. Trunks brought me here last night. Trunks.~ The thought of him made her blush slightly. ~Well, I guess I better get dressed and see what fate has in store for me today.~ With that she crawled out of bed and went over to her bag and pulled out a pair of black jeans and a creamy yellow shirt. She left the clothes on her bed and went into her bathroom to get cleaned up. The shower water felt so good against her skin. It was the first time she had a chance to really get some of the hidden blood and dirt off of her body from yesterday. As she stood in the shower she replayed some of yesterday's events in her head. ~I guess it is going to be a day of solving mysteries. But right now, I don't want to think about all that. I just want to relax and enjoy the water.~ She completed her thought with a smile.
Trunks gave a soft knock on Sakura's door, but received no answer. He knocked again a little louder. "Sakura. Sakura, are you there?" Has asked through the door. Still no answer. He was starting to get a little worried. He knocked real loudly one last time. "Sakura, I am coming in." He shouted through the door.
He slowly opened the door and peered inside her room. There was no sign of her anywhere. He walked into the room and the sound of running water could be heard from behind the closed bathroom door. He realized she must be taking a shower and felt a little embarrassed for being in her room. He quietly made his way back to the door and exited.
Sakura dressed and ready herself for another long day. She picked Trunks jacket up from her bed and made her way to his room. Knocking on the door, she quickly received a reply. "Come in." Trunks' voice responded through the door.
Sakura opened the door very cautiously to see Trunks sitting in the chair at his desk reading a newspaper. "Good morning Sakura!" He said in a most cheerful voice. "Did you sleep well last night?"
"I did, thank you for asking." Sakura answered with a smile. She then handed him his jacket. "Thanks again for letting me wear your jacket. And I am Sorry to have caused any trouble late last night." She once again apologized for last night's ruckus.
"I told you, it was no trouble at all. Don't worry about a thing, everything is alright." Trunks said we his usual smile as he took the jacket from her and put it on over his usual black tank top. "How about some breakfast?"
"Sure! That would be great! I think the effects of Chi Chi's great meal are finally wearing off." Sakura's eyes lit up at the though of food. And as if on cue, her stomach made a low growl in protest to it's morning emptiness.
Sakura and Trunks both started to giggle at the uncanny timing of her stomach. Trunks made a motion to the door. "Well then, we better get some food. I just hope that we get to the kitchen before Vegeta, or there won't be anything left." Trunks replied to the need for food.
~Oh no! Not him again.~ Sakura thought to herself. I just know he is going to yell at me again. But then again, something inside me doesn't really mind if he does. I feel like I should know him for some reason. I just can't place my finger on why he seems familiar to me. Sakura's mind wondered around as her and Trunks made their way to the kitchen. ~Should I ask Trunks about Bulma?~ Sakura thought to herself. ~I wonder if he would think I am being too nosey if I asked him personal questions. I guess I will just have to play it by ear and see what happens.~
Upon arriving to the kitchen, they found that it was not yet occupied by the other members of the household. "Have a seat." Trunks motioned to the table. "Would you like some juice?"
"Sure, that would be nice." Sakura answered.
"Orange juice ok with you?" Trunks asked as he looked in the fridge.
"Sure!" Sakura said in an upbeat tone.
Trunks poured a couple of glasses of orange juice and placed them on the table. "What would you like for breakfast? We have pretty much anything you can think of." He then asked.
"Well, I am not really sure I would be up to anything too involved." Sakura replied in a cautious tone of voice. "How about some cereal?" She then asked.
"Ok, Cereal it is!" Trunks responded happily. "What kind would you like? I'll name them off for you."
"Oh, that's ok." Sakura's smile was present once again. "Just give me something sweet, you know. The good stuff." Sakura added in.
"The good stuff huh? I think I can come up with something that fits that description." Trunks said as he opened up a cupboard and scanned the many boxes. "Here we go, just what we are looking for." He pulled out a box and emptied the contents into two good-sized bowls. After filling the rest of the bowls up with milk he placed the bowls on the table. One for Sakura, and one for himself.
Sakura looked at the breakfast before her and spoke. "Oooh! Marshmallow Crispies, My favorite!" She exclaimed.
Trunks looked up from his cereal bowl at her with a big grin. "Mine too."
Sakura giggled in response as she continued to eat her cereal. They both ate in what was as close to silence as could be, over the noise of the crunching cereal. Sakura was trying to think of what she could ask Trunks without being too conspicuous. Meanwhile, Trunks was thinking about where he would start his search for clues about the monster that attacked Sakura.
"Trunks?" Sakura broke the silence.
"Yeah." Trunks answered as he fished his last spoonful of cereal.
"I was wondering, is Bulma your sister?" Sakura asked in an inquisitive voice.
"Not exactly." Trunks answered in a low voice. Not wanting to tell her as much as she deserved to know. "She is a relative of mine."
Sakura ate the last of her cereal and tried again to start a conversation. "I heard you say something about going home yesterday. Are you just here to visit?" Sakura inquired once more.
"Not exactly." Trunks once again gave the elusive answer. "Look, I have some important stuff to do." Trunks continued as he got up from the table. "Bulma is going to go with you today and help you get the rest of your things." Trunks' answer startled Sakura a bit, it was the first time he had acted so coldly to her. "I will talk to you later, when I get back. Make yourself at home while you wait for Bulma. " With that Trunks hurried out the door. Sakura sat at the table a little dazed. She looked down at her now empty cereal bowl and then over to where Trunks had sat. ~I knew I should have keep quiet. I should never have asked Trunks such personal questions.~ She let out a heavy breath and got up from the table. She brought the dishes over to the sink and washed them. ~Well, I have no one to blame but myself. I will just have to apologize to him when he gets back.~
Sakura's heart ached as she walked to the living room. ~Already, I have grown so attached to him. I always did have that problem. I easily get attached to things, to people.~ Sakura's thoughts flooded her mind as she let out a sigh.
The living room was quiet, it seemed no one was up yet. Sakura sat on the sofa and picked up a magazine from the table. It was a woman's magazine filled with fashion and food, love advice and all that womany stuff. ~Well, not my first choice in entertainment.~ Sakura thought to herself. ~But who am I to be a picky house guest.~ She flipped through the pages to pass the time.
Else where Trunks flew to the edge of the city where the random monster attacks were said to have taken place. His mind was filled with thoughts about the questions Sakura had asked him and how coldly he had treated her before he left. ~Man, I didn't want to treat Sakura that way. She must think I am such a jerk for taking off on her like that. I just don't know what to tell her. It isn't like I can say "Yeah, Bulma is my mom and Vegeta is my dad. I came from the future to save the past. How's your life been?"~ As he completed his thought with his trademark frown. He furrowed his eyebrows in deep thought. ~What can I say to her? How can I answer the questions she asks without telling her what she wants to know?~ He let out an exasperated sigh.
As he flew over the city he reached an area that looked like a small war zone. "That must be what I am looking for." He said out loud to himself. He touched down on the ground next to an area roped off with police tape. It was once likely to be a quiet little street corner that was turned to a war zone yesterday. There was damage to the building on the corner, it looked like something had run into it. Bits of rubble filled the sidewalk and had yet to be cleaned up. The pole of the streetlight that was once straight was now crooked. A few personal items lay strewn on the ground. A baseball hat, shreds of a shopping bag, a travel mug. A few other small and now useless items lay about. He inspected the area carefully, looking for any useful clues. He found none.
"Where can I get the information I need to solve this mystery." Trunks asked himself. ~If only I was here yesterday, I could have asked some of the witnesses. But what can I do now? Unless..~ Trunks turned to view the businesses across the street. A jewelry store, bakery, and dentist's office lined the sidewalk. "Maybe." Was the only thing Trunks uttered under his breath. Trunks entered the Jewelry store in hopes that someone there could give him some useful information.
"Good morning sir" A sales clerk greeted him as he entered the store. "Is there anything I can help you find? Something nice for your girlfriend, perhaps?" The woman chimed.
"I don't have a girlfriend." Trunks replied red-faced as he averted his gaze to the floor.
"Oh!" The woman's surprise to his response was obvious. "I thought that."
"I actually didn't come here to buy anything. I came here to ask some questions about the attack across the street yesterday." Trunks spoke with a most serious tone in his voice. "Did anyone see what happened by any chance?"
The woman's pleasant face changed to an uneasy look. "Young man, I have already given all the information I have to the police. It was a horrifying experience, one I shan't want to remember. I don't know who you work for but unless this official police business I ask you to leave."
"I am very sorry to ask you such a thing, but this is very important. My friend was attacked by the same monster yesterday. This information is vital to her safety." Trunks continued on with determination and concern in his eyes.
The lady sighed, she could tell that he was very serious. There was someone he was trying to protect, it was obvious. "Very well. What would you like to know?
Trunks talked to the woman for several minutes. Thanks to her information he was able to locate the area of woods the monster had emerged from. He was able to pick up a trail, which he followed for about 3 miles out of town. That was the point where he lost site of it.
In another wooded area out of town Bulma landed her hover plane near the remains of Sakura's house. "What's wrong Sakura?" Bulma asked her passenger. "I know that this is no easy task, but you haven't said a word sine we left Capsule Corp."
"I'm sorry Bulma, I was lost in thought." Sakura turned to Bulma with a forced smile. "Thank you for helping me like this, I really appreciate it."
"No problem." Bulma replied as she grabbed a case from next to her seat. "Shall we get to work?" As she motioned to what was left of Sakura's house.
"Sure!" Sakura responded in an upbeat tone.
Bulma removed some capsules from the case she carried in her hand. She activated them and gave them a toss. Before the two women crates appeared. Each one was filled with compartments for packing all kinds of goods. Sakura and Bulma worked to the after noon packing anything of value to be found in the rubble of the once proud home. The girls chatted through the day, taking a break at lunch to eat the sandwiches Bulma had packed.
When their job was finished Bulma returned the crates to their capsules and gave the case to Sakura. "Someday these things will return to the home they belong in. For now you can keep them anywhere you like." Bulma recited as she handed her the case with a smile.
"I can't say thank you enough, Bulma." Sakura looked to Bulma with heartfelt gratitude in her eyes. "I may no longer have my home, but thanks to Trunks I still have my life. And thanks to you, I have everything else."
"Well for as long as you need it, Capsule Corp will be your home." Bulma stated in a matter of fact tone of voice.
"Ok!" Sakura exclaimed suddenly. "Let's go home!" She continued as she raised her arm in a forward motion.
~Now, what am I going to say to Trunks when we get there? Sakura thought as the hover plane ascended from the ground.
