Chapter 8: Housing Ventures
"Do these guys ever give up?" Kari panted as she leapt over another gurgling creek. She had been running for miles now to escape her assailants but to no avail. They just kept on coming, matching her pace and speed, darting where she darted and jumping where she jumped. She didn't want to fight them; fighting would attract attention, and attention was something she had no need of, not now nor ever. She continued sprinting in her apparently vain effort to elude her attackers. But how did they find me, and what do they want?
With a quick backward glance, however, she decided she really did not want to find out.
Presently, she caught a glimpse of a small clearing coming up beyond the trees, and thought that was as good a place as any to stop running and find out why these things were following her. However, if the need should arise to defend herself it seemed deep enough in the woods that no one would be able to see the bright flashes of her ki attacks. Her special attacks had been useless up until now as there were far too many of them to fight quickly enough to remain unnoticed by the city's denizens. But it became clearer with every mile that these men did not truly realize who it was they hunted.
As the she broke into the clearing, she made a fierce dash for the opposite side, hoping to put distance between her and her pursuers so she would have enough time to formulate a plan. Kari came to a sudden halt and, just as she had hoped, had put the entire area between her and the others. Mustering every bit of royal heritage within her, she called to them in her most regal voice. "Why do you persist in this chase? What is your reason for attacking me?"
Her assailants continued to rapidly close the distance between them, acting as if she had not even spoken.
So much for conversation and civility, she grimaced. It seems my only option is to fight.
She concentrated her ki, forming a small, aqua-colored ball in her cupped hands at her side, preparing to wipe her attackers from the plane of existence. They came charging at her, darting their eyes around wildly as the energy in the air around her became palpable. But by the time they devised what the energy concentration meant, it was too late.
Kari threw her hands out in front of her and a radiant aqua beam shot out of her palms, illuminating the dank clearing like a rising sun. The beam instantly disintegrated the two attackers directly in front of her. She then made a sweep through the clearing, destroying all the others left standing as she said in a low, cold voice, "Mother always said 'never leave one enemy standing.'"
The attack abruptly ceased after her aggressors had all been destroyed. The forest once again resumed its silent, dark state. She stooped over and placed her hands on her knees, breathing hard. She had just run about twenty-five miles in fifteen minutes, and using her powers didn't help her gain any energy. Although it didn't drain a lot, either. However, what was really troubling her was the fact that those.things kept up with her, matched her even, and no human was capable of that.
Which meant that someone not of human origin was looking for her.
She leaned her back against an evergreen tree and slid down the trunk, resting on the dewy grass. Placing her wrists on her bent knees, she let her hands dangle over her legs, and for the first time that evening was allowed to fully contemplate the gravity of her situation. "What am I going to do? I didn't manage to get that apartment, and I can't possibly go back to the city now since those guys know where and how to find me...." She closed her eyes and felt the full weight of her exhaustion bearing down on her. "Oh, I can't think; I'm absolutely worn out. I haven't slept in.days," Kari realized. "But I can't sleep out here in the woods. I know whoever sent those guys after me will not be happy; they'll be back with reinforcements. I can't risk being found out here."
Caught between a rock and a hard place, she put her hand to head as it began to spin with dizziness, a sure sign of her fatigue. She couldn't think straight, but she knew she had to find a place to stay, and fast. Suddenly, a thought ran through her mind. Of course! "Trunks lives right near here, if I'm remembering things correctly. He's got to have an extra couch somewhere in that mansion of his!"
So beside herself with relief and hope and happiness, her pain was momentarily forgotten. His house was only about two miles from the clearing, so it would only take her minimal time if she flew full speed. She arrived a few seconds later at Trunks' front door. Reaching her hand to knock, she thought, pausing. She didn't want to wake up Bulma, or especially Vegita, at this ungodly hour of the night. Who knows what wrath she might incur at the Saiyan prince's hands. Instead, she flew upwards towards Trunks' room, knowing that he had a balcony, which she had used as an entrance several times before. She landed lightly, without a sound, and walked towards the sliding door. What a surprise, she thought sarcastically, his door is open. Good for burglars and needy friends.
She entered his room and crept towards his bed, where he was laying sprawled out in a tee shirt and boxers over the mattress, the sheets twisted all around him. Kari restrained herself from laughing, and lightly tapped his arm.
"Trunks. Truuunks," she whispered. He didn't budge. She then tried lightly smacking the back of his head, with no result. Finally, she grabbed a pillow from the floor and smacked him with it, jolting him out of his deep sleep.
"Huh...?" he moaned, not completely awake.
"Hey, sleeping beauty, it's me, Kari," she spoke quietly to him.
"Kari?" he replied, sitting straight up. What was she doing in his room, and at two, he glanced at his clock, yes, two in the morning? Something must be very, very wrong. "Are you okay? Why are you here?"
"Shh. It's kind of a long story, so I will have to tell you later. Right now, I really need a place to crash. I don't have an apartment anymore; the deal fell through. I'm.homeless. Can I sleep on a couch here somewhere?" she explained as best she could through her fatigue. Did his room always spin like this, or was it just her?
Trunks could see that she was beyond exhausted, and hastily agreed. "Why don't you take my bed and I'll go sleep on the couch?" he offered.
"No, I don't want to displace you. Just hand me a pillow and a blanket, and I'll be fine," she assured him.
Noting that her mind was set, Trunks sighed in defeat and handed her a pillow and blanket from his bed. He told her there was a couch in the corner of his room, standing long ways against the same wall where the window was. She thanked him, and half sleepwalked her way over to the couch, laying down on the pillow as she pulled the blanket over her. "Just try not to drool on my pillow, ne?" Trunks laughed.
She threw him a glaring look mixed with laughter. "Baka, I don't drool, so you don't have to worry."
"Of course. We'll see in the morning," he replied, laughing lightly as she glowered at him. He lie back down on his pillow and closed his eyes, smiling. Having Kari sleeping in his room gave him a warm, comforting feeling for some reason. That same, unnamed something that he had sensed about her the first time they met was still there, and he found himself becoming drawn towards her even more. Ever since that night in the woods when she had completely exposed her life to him, he had noticed himself watching her more than usual. He liked what he was seeing.
* * * *
The next morning, Kari slowly opened her eyes and awoke to the wafting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and eggs. She stretched and yawned some, admitting that she had never had a better night's sleep. Sitting up gradually, warily taking in her surroundings, she remembered where she was and how she came to be there. She glanced over at Trunks' bed and saw he was already up and ready, at least by the look of his twisted sheets and crumpled clothes lying on the mattress. He was probably up hours ago, training. That guy is really something else.
After about five minutes, she realized she had been staring at his bed. Blushing, she peered at the clock and was surprised to see that it was already ten-thirty. She was usually up at five. Lifting herself off the couch, she headed for the bathroom, intent on waking herself up with a hot shower.
* * * *
"So, let me get this straight. You had a girl spend the night in your room, but on the couch, and she came over at two in the morning?! What was the matter? Was Kari all right? Was she hurt?" Bulma asked, genuinely concerned. She was not bothered at the fact that Kari spent the night in her son's room; she was a very responsible person. What bothered her was the fact that Kari had needed to come over at all.
"Hai, that's about it, Okasan. I don't really know the whole story, but she told me she would tell me later," Trunks reassured her.
"So, you had an attractive girl spend the night in your room, and she slept on the couch? Hmph! I guess it's a start, though," Vegita commented smugly from the breakfast table, smirking.
"And what is that supposed to mean, Otousan? You think we should have slept together or something?!" Trunks ranted, blushing with anger over the way his father was talking about Kari. "She's not like that! And we're just friends!" he continued, indignant.
"Wow, someone's getting defensive over a girl he supposedly doesn't like," Bra muttered to herself, but loud enough for Trunks to hear. He shot her a look that silenced her.
"Of course you don't. I believe you," said his father sarcastically. "Don't try and lie to me. I'm not blind, you know! I'm the prince of the Saiyans, and as such."
"All right you two, that's enough," intervened Bulma, knowing that this argument could escalate into an all out brawl. "Vegita, leave Trunks alone. He's just trying to be a good friend."
"Shut up, woman. Don't tell me how to raise my son!" Vegita yelled back. However, he stopped berating Trunks about Kari and went back to his meal, ignoring everyone once again.
"Why do you put up with him, Okasan?" Bra asked from the fridge.
"Sometimes I ask myself the same question," replied Bulma, shooting Vegita a look of annoyance. "By the way, Trunks, where is Kari? I haven't seen her all morning," she asked, her concern for the girl returning.
"I'm not sure. She's probably still sleeping." She was extremely exhausted when she came in his room last night, after all, and he expected she would probably sleep for at least another hour or so. Bulma suggested that he go up and check on her, just to be sure. Trunks readily agreed and headed for his room.
* * * *
Kari felt refreshed as she stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around slim figure, then towel dried her silky chestnut hair. She made her way back to Trunks' room so she could finish getting ready, and locked the door behind her to avoid any embarrassing situations. She pulled on her underwear, jeans, and bra and was just about to pull her shirt down over her head when a sudden knock caused her to jump. "Uh...just a minute!" Kari yelled nervously.
"Oh, gomen, Kari! I wasn't sure if you were up yet, so I just came to check on you. Is everything okay?" Trunks asked.
"Hai, I'm fine. I'm just getting dressed. I'll be out in a sec," she replied.
"Just meet me downstairs when you're ready. I have something I want to talk to you about," Trunks urged. Kari agreed and finished pulling her shirt on, relieved that she had locked the door. Otherwise, a very uncomfortable scenario could have just occurred.
As he was pacing the kitchen floor, Trunks wondered what Kari was going to think when he asked her. His mother had been pumping him for information on Kari all morning, and when he mentioned the bit on her apartment deal, Bulma suggested she stay at their house. After all, it was a mansion. However, he wondered if asking Kari that would make things awkward at all, and he didn't want to scare her. But, then again, she didn't have a place to stay and his house was the ideal choice. And, though he tried to ignore it, he really wanted Kari to stay with him, to be near him. That funny feeling he had gotten last night was creeping back, and he was sure he knew what it was by now.
His thoughts were interrupted by Kari's sudden entrance into the kitchen. She looked so renewed and happy, and more beautiful than ever...
"Hey! You needed to talk to me?" Kari chirped as she glided into the kitchen.
"Um.yeah. Kari..." Trunks stammered, blushing hard. Suddenly, he couldn't remember what he was supposed to be asking her, or why he told her to come down. Luckily, his mom came just in time.
"What my son is trying, not so successfully, to say is this: Why don't you come here and stay with us for while, till you find a place to live in the city? We'd be more than happy to have you here," Bulma explained, smiling graciously.
"Yeah. I told her about how your apartment thing didn't work out, and she suggested you move in. What do you say?" Trunks recovered. He found himself hanging on her silence, his heart thumping wildly with anxiety.
"That's really very nice of you, but I don't want to be a burden to you," Kari answered truthfully. In reality, she desperately wanted to say yes, but she knew that would be too forward and presumptuous of her. She had to know if he really wanted her to stay, or if he was just being a good friend. Really, she hoped the former was true.
For the past few weeks, even before the night in the woods, she had found herself wanting to see more of Trunks and smiled constantly when he was around. As much as her newfound feelings excited her, they also terrified her as she remembered the last time she had dared to care for someone else. She didn't know if this would be any different, but her instinct told her there was something special about this lavender-haired man.
"Iie, it's no trouble. But, if you do say no, I'm going to make you stay anyway. I won't let you wander around the streets without a home," Trunks replied, a trace of eagerness in his voice. She smiled, knowing that she had received the answer for which she had been hoping.
"Alright, if that's the way you're going to be, then I guess I don't have a choice. I'll stay," Kari laughed, concealing her exhilaration beneath a mask of humor.
Bra was passing through the kitchen when she heard Kari agree, and happily chimed in, "Finally! Another girl in the house, and one that likes to shop, too, I hope."
"What self-respecting girl doesn't?" Kari replied. This was going to be great, in more ways than one.
"Then, it's agreed. Trunks, help me clean up a guest room for Kari. Welcome to the Briefs Household, Kari!" Bulma chirped with a smile. "I hope you enjoy your stay here."
"Oh, don't worry. I'm sure I will," said Kari, as her glance darted quickly over in Trunks' direction.
"Do these guys ever give up?" Kari panted as she leapt over another gurgling creek. She had been running for miles now to escape her assailants but to no avail. They just kept on coming, matching her pace and speed, darting where she darted and jumping where she jumped. She didn't want to fight them; fighting would attract attention, and attention was something she had no need of, not now nor ever. She continued sprinting in her apparently vain effort to elude her attackers. But how did they find me, and what do they want?
With a quick backward glance, however, she decided she really did not want to find out.
Presently, she caught a glimpse of a small clearing coming up beyond the trees, and thought that was as good a place as any to stop running and find out why these things were following her. However, if the need should arise to defend herself it seemed deep enough in the woods that no one would be able to see the bright flashes of her ki attacks. Her special attacks had been useless up until now as there were far too many of them to fight quickly enough to remain unnoticed by the city's denizens. But it became clearer with every mile that these men did not truly realize who it was they hunted.
As the she broke into the clearing, she made a fierce dash for the opposite side, hoping to put distance between her and her pursuers so she would have enough time to formulate a plan. Kari came to a sudden halt and, just as she had hoped, had put the entire area between her and the others. Mustering every bit of royal heritage within her, she called to them in her most regal voice. "Why do you persist in this chase? What is your reason for attacking me?"
Her assailants continued to rapidly close the distance between them, acting as if she had not even spoken.
So much for conversation and civility, she grimaced. It seems my only option is to fight.
She concentrated her ki, forming a small, aqua-colored ball in her cupped hands at her side, preparing to wipe her attackers from the plane of existence. They came charging at her, darting their eyes around wildly as the energy in the air around her became palpable. But by the time they devised what the energy concentration meant, it was too late.
Kari threw her hands out in front of her and a radiant aqua beam shot out of her palms, illuminating the dank clearing like a rising sun. The beam instantly disintegrated the two attackers directly in front of her. She then made a sweep through the clearing, destroying all the others left standing as she said in a low, cold voice, "Mother always said 'never leave one enemy standing.'"
The attack abruptly ceased after her aggressors had all been destroyed. The forest once again resumed its silent, dark state. She stooped over and placed her hands on her knees, breathing hard. She had just run about twenty-five miles in fifteen minutes, and using her powers didn't help her gain any energy. Although it didn't drain a lot, either. However, what was really troubling her was the fact that those.things kept up with her, matched her even, and no human was capable of that.
Which meant that someone not of human origin was looking for her.
She leaned her back against an evergreen tree and slid down the trunk, resting on the dewy grass. Placing her wrists on her bent knees, she let her hands dangle over her legs, and for the first time that evening was allowed to fully contemplate the gravity of her situation. "What am I going to do? I didn't manage to get that apartment, and I can't possibly go back to the city now since those guys know where and how to find me...." She closed her eyes and felt the full weight of her exhaustion bearing down on her. "Oh, I can't think; I'm absolutely worn out. I haven't slept in.days," Kari realized. "But I can't sleep out here in the woods. I know whoever sent those guys after me will not be happy; they'll be back with reinforcements. I can't risk being found out here."
Caught between a rock and a hard place, she put her hand to head as it began to spin with dizziness, a sure sign of her fatigue. She couldn't think straight, but she knew she had to find a place to stay, and fast. Suddenly, a thought ran through her mind. Of course! "Trunks lives right near here, if I'm remembering things correctly. He's got to have an extra couch somewhere in that mansion of his!"
So beside herself with relief and hope and happiness, her pain was momentarily forgotten. His house was only about two miles from the clearing, so it would only take her minimal time if she flew full speed. She arrived a few seconds later at Trunks' front door. Reaching her hand to knock, she thought, pausing. She didn't want to wake up Bulma, or especially Vegita, at this ungodly hour of the night. Who knows what wrath she might incur at the Saiyan prince's hands. Instead, she flew upwards towards Trunks' room, knowing that he had a balcony, which she had used as an entrance several times before. She landed lightly, without a sound, and walked towards the sliding door. What a surprise, she thought sarcastically, his door is open. Good for burglars and needy friends.
She entered his room and crept towards his bed, where he was laying sprawled out in a tee shirt and boxers over the mattress, the sheets twisted all around him. Kari restrained herself from laughing, and lightly tapped his arm.
"Trunks. Truuunks," she whispered. He didn't budge. She then tried lightly smacking the back of his head, with no result. Finally, she grabbed a pillow from the floor and smacked him with it, jolting him out of his deep sleep.
"Huh...?" he moaned, not completely awake.
"Hey, sleeping beauty, it's me, Kari," she spoke quietly to him.
"Kari?" he replied, sitting straight up. What was she doing in his room, and at two, he glanced at his clock, yes, two in the morning? Something must be very, very wrong. "Are you okay? Why are you here?"
"Shh. It's kind of a long story, so I will have to tell you later. Right now, I really need a place to crash. I don't have an apartment anymore; the deal fell through. I'm.homeless. Can I sleep on a couch here somewhere?" she explained as best she could through her fatigue. Did his room always spin like this, or was it just her?
Trunks could see that she was beyond exhausted, and hastily agreed. "Why don't you take my bed and I'll go sleep on the couch?" he offered.
"No, I don't want to displace you. Just hand me a pillow and a blanket, and I'll be fine," she assured him.
Noting that her mind was set, Trunks sighed in defeat and handed her a pillow and blanket from his bed. He told her there was a couch in the corner of his room, standing long ways against the same wall where the window was. She thanked him, and half sleepwalked her way over to the couch, laying down on the pillow as she pulled the blanket over her. "Just try not to drool on my pillow, ne?" Trunks laughed.
She threw him a glaring look mixed with laughter. "Baka, I don't drool, so you don't have to worry."
"Of course. We'll see in the morning," he replied, laughing lightly as she glowered at him. He lie back down on his pillow and closed his eyes, smiling. Having Kari sleeping in his room gave him a warm, comforting feeling for some reason. That same, unnamed something that he had sensed about her the first time they met was still there, and he found himself becoming drawn towards her even more. Ever since that night in the woods when she had completely exposed her life to him, he had noticed himself watching her more than usual. He liked what he was seeing.
* * * *
The next morning, Kari slowly opened her eyes and awoke to the wafting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and eggs. She stretched and yawned some, admitting that she had never had a better night's sleep. Sitting up gradually, warily taking in her surroundings, she remembered where she was and how she came to be there. She glanced over at Trunks' bed and saw he was already up and ready, at least by the look of his twisted sheets and crumpled clothes lying on the mattress. He was probably up hours ago, training. That guy is really something else.
After about five minutes, she realized she had been staring at his bed. Blushing, she peered at the clock and was surprised to see that it was already ten-thirty. She was usually up at five. Lifting herself off the couch, she headed for the bathroom, intent on waking herself up with a hot shower.
* * * *
"So, let me get this straight. You had a girl spend the night in your room, but on the couch, and she came over at two in the morning?! What was the matter? Was Kari all right? Was she hurt?" Bulma asked, genuinely concerned. She was not bothered at the fact that Kari spent the night in her son's room; she was a very responsible person. What bothered her was the fact that Kari had needed to come over at all.
"Hai, that's about it, Okasan. I don't really know the whole story, but she told me she would tell me later," Trunks reassured her.
"So, you had an attractive girl spend the night in your room, and she slept on the couch? Hmph! I guess it's a start, though," Vegita commented smugly from the breakfast table, smirking.
"And what is that supposed to mean, Otousan? You think we should have slept together or something?!" Trunks ranted, blushing with anger over the way his father was talking about Kari. "She's not like that! And we're just friends!" he continued, indignant.
"Wow, someone's getting defensive over a girl he supposedly doesn't like," Bra muttered to herself, but loud enough for Trunks to hear. He shot her a look that silenced her.
"Of course you don't. I believe you," said his father sarcastically. "Don't try and lie to me. I'm not blind, you know! I'm the prince of the Saiyans, and as such."
"All right you two, that's enough," intervened Bulma, knowing that this argument could escalate into an all out brawl. "Vegita, leave Trunks alone. He's just trying to be a good friend."
"Shut up, woman. Don't tell me how to raise my son!" Vegita yelled back. However, he stopped berating Trunks about Kari and went back to his meal, ignoring everyone once again.
"Why do you put up with him, Okasan?" Bra asked from the fridge.
"Sometimes I ask myself the same question," replied Bulma, shooting Vegita a look of annoyance. "By the way, Trunks, where is Kari? I haven't seen her all morning," she asked, her concern for the girl returning.
"I'm not sure. She's probably still sleeping." She was extremely exhausted when she came in his room last night, after all, and he expected she would probably sleep for at least another hour or so. Bulma suggested that he go up and check on her, just to be sure. Trunks readily agreed and headed for his room.
* * * *
Kari felt refreshed as she stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around slim figure, then towel dried her silky chestnut hair. She made her way back to Trunks' room so she could finish getting ready, and locked the door behind her to avoid any embarrassing situations. She pulled on her underwear, jeans, and bra and was just about to pull her shirt down over her head when a sudden knock caused her to jump. "Uh...just a minute!" Kari yelled nervously.
"Oh, gomen, Kari! I wasn't sure if you were up yet, so I just came to check on you. Is everything okay?" Trunks asked.
"Hai, I'm fine. I'm just getting dressed. I'll be out in a sec," she replied.
"Just meet me downstairs when you're ready. I have something I want to talk to you about," Trunks urged. Kari agreed and finished pulling her shirt on, relieved that she had locked the door. Otherwise, a very uncomfortable scenario could have just occurred.
As he was pacing the kitchen floor, Trunks wondered what Kari was going to think when he asked her. His mother had been pumping him for information on Kari all morning, and when he mentioned the bit on her apartment deal, Bulma suggested she stay at their house. After all, it was a mansion. However, he wondered if asking Kari that would make things awkward at all, and he didn't want to scare her. But, then again, she didn't have a place to stay and his house was the ideal choice. And, though he tried to ignore it, he really wanted Kari to stay with him, to be near him. That funny feeling he had gotten last night was creeping back, and he was sure he knew what it was by now.
His thoughts were interrupted by Kari's sudden entrance into the kitchen. She looked so renewed and happy, and more beautiful than ever...
"Hey! You needed to talk to me?" Kari chirped as she glided into the kitchen.
"Um.yeah. Kari..." Trunks stammered, blushing hard. Suddenly, he couldn't remember what he was supposed to be asking her, or why he told her to come down. Luckily, his mom came just in time.
"What my son is trying, not so successfully, to say is this: Why don't you come here and stay with us for while, till you find a place to live in the city? We'd be more than happy to have you here," Bulma explained, smiling graciously.
"Yeah. I told her about how your apartment thing didn't work out, and she suggested you move in. What do you say?" Trunks recovered. He found himself hanging on her silence, his heart thumping wildly with anxiety.
"That's really very nice of you, but I don't want to be a burden to you," Kari answered truthfully. In reality, she desperately wanted to say yes, but she knew that would be too forward and presumptuous of her. She had to know if he really wanted her to stay, or if he was just being a good friend. Really, she hoped the former was true.
For the past few weeks, even before the night in the woods, she had found herself wanting to see more of Trunks and smiled constantly when he was around. As much as her newfound feelings excited her, they also terrified her as she remembered the last time she had dared to care for someone else. She didn't know if this would be any different, but her instinct told her there was something special about this lavender-haired man.
"Iie, it's no trouble. But, if you do say no, I'm going to make you stay anyway. I won't let you wander around the streets without a home," Trunks replied, a trace of eagerness in his voice. She smiled, knowing that she had received the answer for which she had been hoping.
"Alright, if that's the way you're going to be, then I guess I don't have a choice. I'll stay," Kari laughed, concealing her exhilaration beneath a mask of humor.
Bra was passing through the kitchen when she heard Kari agree, and happily chimed in, "Finally! Another girl in the house, and one that likes to shop, too, I hope."
"What self-respecting girl doesn't?" Kari replied. This was going to be great, in more ways than one.
"Then, it's agreed. Trunks, help me clean up a guest room for Kari. Welcome to the Briefs Household, Kari!" Bulma chirped with a smile. "I hope you enjoy your stay here."
"Oh, don't worry. I'm sure I will," said Kari, as her glance darted quickly over in Trunks' direction.