Both girls resumed their space when the tiny man left. "Show off." 18 muttered, giving a mock bow of congratulations as she said it.
"Briefs?" One voice came. "Come here girl." The voice was old and both girls could tell that it came from an elderly man. Bulma could smell that death was not far from him as she neared the speaker. People made haste to break a path for her as she moved in frightening grace. Upon sight she felt her heart lurch.
"Roshi?"
"Bulma? Yes its you, I can feel it now." He gave into a fit of coughing and Bulma did what she could to comfort the aged man. "So little missy you're alive eh?" She smiled taking hold of his chin and bringing his gaze a little higher than below her neck. "Can't blame a man for trying."
"You'll never change. Did you just come in?" He nodded and she looked to her friend who could only shrug. "I." She faltered looking her old friend in the eye. "Muten Roshi, you haven't, I mean, have you?"
"Seen the others? No. Heard some familiar screeching in the halls on our way here if you catch my drift." She did, her eyes widened and she grinned a beautiful smile. "Ah that's my Bulma, you're still in there. Be strong girl." "Hentai." She murmured affectionately, catching his hand that had stroked her cheek before it could brush against her chest. Her face faltered when she felt him entering his last moments.
"I know girl, its better this way." She nodded feeling something wet hit her hand. Looking to it she took in the drop of water. Was she crying? She hadn't done such a thing in near a year.
"Well, maybe you'll get to find a lady who can stand you in the afterlife." She whispered. "Say high to Mr. Turtle for me and the Ox King will you? Don't forget Mommy and Daddy." He nodded, knowing that even after the front she had displayed earlier she was still very much the carrying girl he had known not so very long ago. With one last breath he let his soul free from its mortal shell.
Letting out a howl of anguish Bulma felt all her barricades cave in upon themselves. She had holed herself up away from her sorrows, knowing her sanity would be at risk if she had let them come. But with having seen the old Turtle Hermit again she could only wish for how things had once been. She felt the arms of 18 wrap around her as she pounded the metal floor, bruising her palms and causing little damage to the surface. Turning she was soon crying heart wrenching sobs into the gray dress that both girls wore. Later she would come back to herself, in her corner, in the arms of 18. But at the moment she was a mindless hurricane of inner turmoil.
18 could do very little to help her friend. She herself displayed little emotion other than cruelty and amusement. She was a flirt but there was no emotion behind her playful toying of men. Bulma had been the first she had ever seen to be able to defy Gero and still keep her mind in tact. It seemed she had not just taken it all in stride, but rather held it all inside herself. Now it was being let out, she was not so heartless to think less of the girl. Young as she was she had a brain and more experience than her years ever should have allowed in many things. 18 had seen her kill, not in cold blood, but rather defense. She bore many scars for that bit of honor, not all being of the physical variety. Lifting her friend she glared at any who dare to get in her way, her reputation as dangerous was just as lethal as Bulma's. Until Bulma, there had been no other in her life. She had long ago given up all ties to her brother. Unfortunately having been his twin could allow her only to go so far; now that he was dead she felt an odd sense of peace. Though she hadn't the faintest idea as to how long it would last. With little movement she had them curled up in the corner. She didn't know what the next day would bring, but she had the feeling that things would take a turn for the worse before any relief was in sight.
It was not a long wait, soon all his challengers were in need of regen tanks. Only Kakkarrot remained. He had not stepped forward. He had made the move to then halted, with out asking permission to leave the third class left the room. Anger and curiosity had him tail the younger man. He stopped by the barracks of bulk slaves and was met by a short bald man. Both needed only a glance at the other to make them nod. "Kakkarrot I demand and explanation." He declared bringing his presence to note.
"Something happened." The Sayain mumbled. Closing his eyes, the prince knew that his sparring companion was tracking something. "Muten Roshi." He mumbled just before all but tearing down the hallway. The one that, incidentally, led to the new slave quarters. Following the older man his curiosity overran his anger at being ignored. He tailed him right into the filthy, smelly, room. The weaklings scattered as Kakkarrot made his way for the newly dead man. "Roshi." His voice whispered, Vegeta could hear more pain in that one word than he had ever heard expressed before in his life. "You always wondered who tutored me Vegeta. This is he." He did not get in the way of the younger man when he left the chamber. He knew not where he was heading but he knew he would give the elder a dignified sending off, not throw him in the incinerator. As he was about to leave he paused, something in the room tugged at him. Not necessarily at his mind but at him. But when he tried to find the source of his uneasiness he found it too weak. Giving in for the time being he left the room. Blissfully ignorant of the woman that would be the end of him, and the beginning, the link to his greatest joy, and deepest fears, in short, his destiny.
Well? What do you think? I've introduced all the main characters and set up the usual.
"YOU IDIOT WHY DIDN'T YOU SEE HER?!"
And so forth. Well just wait, all the z-gang will be together and so will Bulma soon…sort of. I have no idea where I'm going with this so bare with me.
As always, review.
~BUM~