Chapter 3 - Return To Us
Elida glanced warily at her parents. She knew that if her parents just wanted her to meet someone, they wouldn't have sent Gohan home, "Um, hi," she said.
"Elida, you might want to sit down," Bulma said, grasping her husband's hand. Vegeta nodded slightly towards the open chair across from the stranger. Elida sat slowly, her eyes now upon the woman across from her.
"Do you know who I am, Elida?" the woman said in a calm, regal voice. She cocked her head to one side and surveyed the teen. Her eyes lingered on the white wrist guard of Elida's right arm. It was slightly transparent and a black tattoo-like mark on the teen's forearm showed through the material. Elida followed the woman's gaze and took her arm off the table.
Elida returned the woman's steely gaze and stuck out her chin defiantly, "No, I don't know who you are," Elida said coolly, "So would you mind telling me?"
The woman smirked slightly and chuckled, "Practical, stubborn, just like your mother," Elida glanced at Bulma again, then back at the woman in front of her.
"How do you know what my mother is like?" Bulma coughed and stood up. She began to push Vegeta out of the kitchen, "Mom?" Elida said, her voice uncharacteristically high. Bulma stopped in her tracks and pulled a grumbling Vegeta back into the room.
The other woman narrowed her eyes and glared at Bulma and Vegeta, "You haven't told her? You've had five years! Five whole years to tell her the truth, and you haven't?" the woman yelled. She stood up quickly, almost knocking over the table. Elida stood up as well, rounding on her parents.
"Mom?" she said again, "Dad?" she looked at her father who had his arms crossed and had stopped grumbling. Elida turned back to the now furious woman behind her, "Who are you?"
"Elida," the woman sighed, "My name is Nenya Luelthia Argonath," Elida's eyes widened, as if she was trying to remember something, "This might be a tad hard for you to understand, or accept, but, I am your sister, Elida," Nenya said, her eyes locked on Elida's face.
Elida gasped and clasped a hand to her mouth. She turned so she could see both Nenya and her parents, "You," she stammered, looking at Bulma who had tears in her eyes, "You are not my mother?" she said weakly. She grasped the chair next to her for support, "And you're not my father?" she said, looking at Vegeta, who had his muscular arm around his wife. Elida looked back at Nenya, who nodded, "No," she said, her voice heavy with her grief, "it's not true. It's not true. It can't be!" she yelled. Elida's world began to spin around her. The teen began to pant and squeezed her eyes shut.
"Elida," Bulma said, placing her hand on Elida's shoulder. The teen pulled away, her eyes cold as iron. She choked back a sob.
"You lied to me!" she cried, "My whole life has been a lie! I can't trust you anymore!" Bulma looked at her hands, her tears threatening to spill. Vegeta began to growl.
"Don't you dare speak to your mother like that, young lady!" he roared. Elida raised an eyebrow at the Saiyin.
"She's not my mother," Elida breathed dangerously, "And you are not my father so stop role playing," Vegeta narrowed his eyes and flared his nostrils, "How do I know you're my sister?" Elida asked, turning to Nenya. Bulma lifted her head and began to push a fuming Vegeta out into the garden.
"Well, for starters, the hair of course," Nenya said, circling Elida like a hawk, "same body structure, same fabulous nose," Elida absentmindedly touched her nose, "same mark," Nenya said softly.
"Mark?" Elida asked. Nenya cast a furtive look at Elida's armband, "Oh, you mean this?" Elida removed the armband and revealed a tattoo-like mark which consisted of elegant flowing lines which covered almost all of her skin on her forearm. One spot directly below Elida's palm was bare of the fluid lines but the word Ellesena was written in a regal flowing script was written in the space.
Nenya's golden eyes lit up like fire when she saw the mark. Tears began to gather in the corners of her eyes, "I have the mark too," Nenya said, pulling back the folds of her silk sleeve to show the same mark that Elida had, except it was missing the word. Elida glanced at Nenya's mark, then at Nenya's face.
Realization dawned on her face, "I think I'm beginning to remember," Elida said, biting her lip. Nenya smiled, her eyes twinkling.
"That's how the amnesiatic medicine was designed. Once you are introduced to the right trigger, namely me, your memory starts to return," Nenya said softly, her hand on her sister's shoulder. Nenya was very muscular and tall as well. Elida squeezed her eyes shut for a moment then they flipped open.
"I remember," she breathed, "everything," she looked up at Nenya, "There was a battle, no, a brutal war. You slipped me out of the palace, and into a private spacecraft. I'm not sure, but you knocked me unconscious and I wound up on the front step of Capsule," Nenya nodded sadly, "They're dead aren't they," Elida said, "Our parents."
Nenya pulled Elida into a warm embrace, "But I'm still here Elida," she said, "I always will be, my sister." Nenya pulled back from her sister and faced Elida, "Let me help you remember Elida. Let my help you become who you were born to be. Return to my world, our world. Return to us, Elida."
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Bulma sat quietly outside the kitchen waiting patiently. Her makeup was running and her mascara was smeared. She knew this day would come, but she never wanted it too and couldn't bear to see her daughter leave, possibly forever.
"Mom, I mean, Bulma?" Elida said timidly, peaking her head out of the door. Bulma's head snapped up, "Bulma," Elida walked over to her foster mother, "I am so sorry. I was just overreacting and was a little, well exasperated," she said quickly.
"Oh, Elida," Bulma smiled, "I'm sorry too. I should have told you, long ago," Bulma cupped Elida's chin in her hand.
"Tell Vegeta, I'm sorry. He'll listen to you," Elida whispered, standing up, "I have to go pack," Bulma's eyes widened, "Nenya's bringing me back to Rai. We're leaving in a week."
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The Brief's backyard was filled with laughing people. Everyone had turned up at the residence for a "barbeque" but really Elida was going to tell them she was leaving after everyone had eaten.
"Woman, where the hell is the food?" Vegeta growled as Bulma set a salad down on the long, glass table. Bulma pointed at the salad, "What? That's not food, it's rabbit feed!"
Bulma rolled her eyes and began chatting with Chi Chi on the best way to keep the kitchen clean. Goten was being chased by Trunks while Gohan sat in the shade of a tree surrounded by his school books. 18 was trying to get Marron to eat some fruit as Krillin and Yamcha argued over where was the best place to kick an opponent. Piccolo sat in the branches of a large tree meditating.
"Food's ready!" Bulma yelled as she, Chi Chi, and 18 began bringing out massive plates filled with chicken, steaks, French fries, and numerous other delicious foods. The Saiyins roared out in approval and scrambled for seats. Vegeta, Gohan, Trunks, and Goten began to stuff their faces at a speed no human could match. They steadily ate their way through more then half the food as the women polished off the salad and Piccolo, Yamcha, and Krillin were finishing off some hamburgers and hot dogs.
Within the hour, dinner was finished and everyone leaned back in their seats, fully content and satisfied. Everyone but Vegeta, Bulma, and Elida, who knew what was about to happen. Gohan eyed Elida suspiciously. She was not her usual bubbly, whiny self. Not since he had been sent home from Capsule almost a week ago. Vegeta cleared his throat loudly and looked meaningfully at Elida. She nodded and stood.
"Everyone," she yelled over the cheerful talk of the small crowd, "I have a very important announcement which concerns you all," she said strongly. Even Piccolo looked up at her, giving the teen his undivided attention, "I don't know how to tell you this, so I'm just going to come out and say it," Gohan's stomach began flip, though he didn't know why.
"I know that I was adopted by Bulma and Vegeta," Elida tossed her head back a murmur went through the table, "I know that I am neither Saiyin," her gaze lingered on Gohan, "nor human," Chi Chi looked confused while the others gaped.
"My sister, my blood sister, came for me last week. She asked me to leave with her and return to my home planet. I agreed and we leave in two hours," Elida sat back down as Gohan's mouth dropped open.
Gohan got up and walked over to Elida, pulling her out of her seat, "Tree house. Now."
Elida nodded and followed Gohan to the tree house they had built when they were twelve. When they were inside Gohan began to run his hands through his hair and looked exasperated, "Gohan," Elida said calmingly.
"You're really leaving, El? For good?" Gohan almost yelled. Elida was taken aback a little by the emotion he was showing.
"Yes I'm leaving Gohan, but Nenya promised me I could come back in a year or two for a visit," Elida replied. She sat on the bean bag on the floor and folded her hands.
"Oh," Gohan sat as well, "But why can't you just stay here with us, El? I mean, your like family to all of us."
"Gohan, I've been given the chance to finally find out who I am and answer the questions I'm always asking everyone about my past. I need to know about who and what I am. Surely you can understand that?" Gohan nodded solemnly. Elida smiled slightly and touched his cheek, "I am so sorry Gohan."
"You're really leaving?" Gohan asked timidly. Elida laughed softly.
"You already said that, Gohan Son," Elida laughed. A sound like a jet blasted through the air. Gohan immediately tensed, "It's Nenya's ship. I'll be boarding in about an hour and a half. My stuff's all packed," Elida got up, as did Gohan. She leapt out of the wooden fort, followed by her best friend.
Vegeta stepped gruffly out of the house and walked up to his former daughter, "Here's your stuff," he growled. Elida thanked him with a smile. The suitcase was medium size and only one in number, very uncharacteristic of Elida.
"Traveling light?" Gohan chuckled almost sadly.
"It's mostly just pictures and mementos," Elida sighed. She gripped the case and walked up to the sleek spacecraft. She handed her luggage to Nenya who packed it into the craft.
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Elida hugged her foster father and kissed him on the cheek. Vegeta smiled grimly to the surprise of everyone. Elida smiled back through her tears. She kneeled in front of Trunks and Goten, "You take care of each other, alright?" the boys nodded solemnly. Elida hugged them both and kissed Trunks on the forehead.
Bulma swept Elida up in a strong embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks, "I'll miss you, my sweet Elida," Bulma choked. Elida kissed her mother on the cheek and tried to stop the new wave of tears.
"Gohan Son," Elida laughed, "You know I am no good at good-byes," Gohan nodded, a small tear glistened in the corner of his eye. Elida almost jumped on Gohan as she threw herself into their hug. Gohan squeezed her tightly, trying to imbed the smell of her hair in his memory, the sound of her voice, "Good-bye Gohan," Gohan only waved in reply as Elida walked up into the ship, wiping tears from her eyes. She waved at her family and the Z fighters from her ship window as Nenya hovered the ship for a second before it sped off into the sky, only to return with a completely different Elida a year later.
~Stay tuned for much, much more!!~
~E.A.~
Elida glanced warily at her parents. She knew that if her parents just wanted her to meet someone, they wouldn't have sent Gohan home, "Um, hi," she said.
"Elida, you might want to sit down," Bulma said, grasping her husband's hand. Vegeta nodded slightly towards the open chair across from the stranger. Elida sat slowly, her eyes now upon the woman across from her.
"Do you know who I am, Elida?" the woman said in a calm, regal voice. She cocked her head to one side and surveyed the teen. Her eyes lingered on the white wrist guard of Elida's right arm. It was slightly transparent and a black tattoo-like mark on the teen's forearm showed through the material. Elida followed the woman's gaze and took her arm off the table.
Elida returned the woman's steely gaze and stuck out her chin defiantly, "No, I don't know who you are," Elida said coolly, "So would you mind telling me?"
The woman smirked slightly and chuckled, "Practical, stubborn, just like your mother," Elida glanced at Bulma again, then back at the woman in front of her.
"How do you know what my mother is like?" Bulma coughed and stood up. She began to push Vegeta out of the kitchen, "Mom?" Elida said, her voice uncharacteristically high. Bulma stopped in her tracks and pulled a grumbling Vegeta back into the room.
The other woman narrowed her eyes and glared at Bulma and Vegeta, "You haven't told her? You've had five years! Five whole years to tell her the truth, and you haven't?" the woman yelled. She stood up quickly, almost knocking over the table. Elida stood up as well, rounding on her parents.
"Mom?" she said again, "Dad?" she looked at her father who had his arms crossed and had stopped grumbling. Elida turned back to the now furious woman behind her, "Who are you?"
"Elida," the woman sighed, "My name is Nenya Luelthia Argonath," Elida's eyes widened, as if she was trying to remember something, "This might be a tad hard for you to understand, or accept, but, I am your sister, Elida," Nenya said, her eyes locked on Elida's face.
Elida gasped and clasped a hand to her mouth. She turned so she could see both Nenya and her parents, "You," she stammered, looking at Bulma who had tears in her eyes, "You are not my mother?" she said weakly. She grasped the chair next to her for support, "And you're not my father?" she said, looking at Vegeta, who had his muscular arm around his wife. Elida looked back at Nenya, who nodded, "No," she said, her voice heavy with her grief, "it's not true. It's not true. It can't be!" she yelled. Elida's world began to spin around her. The teen began to pant and squeezed her eyes shut.
"Elida," Bulma said, placing her hand on Elida's shoulder. The teen pulled away, her eyes cold as iron. She choked back a sob.
"You lied to me!" she cried, "My whole life has been a lie! I can't trust you anymore!" Bulma looked at her hands, her tears threatening to spill. Vegeta began to growl.
"Don't you dare speak to your mother like that, young lady!" he roared. Elida raised an eyebrow at the Saiyin.
"She's not my mother," Elida breathed dangerously, "And you are not my father so stop role playing," Vegeta narrowed his eyes and flared his nostrils, "How do I know you're my sister?" Elida asked, turning to Nenya. Bulma lifted her head and began to push a fuming Vegeta out into the garden.
"Well, for starters, the hair of course," Nenya said, circling Elida like a hawk, "same body structure, same fabulous nose," Elida absentmindedly touched her nose, "same mark," Nenya said softly.
"Mark?" Elida asked. Nenya cast a furtive look at Elida's armband, "Oh, you mean this?" Elida removed the armband and revealed a tattoo-like mark which consisted of elegant flowing lines which covered almost all of her skin on her forearm. One spot directly below Elida's palm was bare of the fluid lines but the word Ellesena was written in a regal flowing script was written in the space.
Nenya's golden eyes lit up like fire when she saw the mark. Tears began to gather in the corners of her eyes, "I have the mark too," Nenya said, pulling back the folds of her silk sleeve to show the same mark that Elida had, except it was missing the word. Elida glanced at Nenya's mark, then at Nenya's face.
Realization dawned on her face, "I think I'm beginning to remember," Elida said, biting her lip. Nenya smiled, her eyes twinkling.
"That's how the amnesiatic medicine was designed. Once you are introduced to the right trigger, namely me, your memory starts to return," Nenya said softly, her hand on her sister's shoulder. Nenya was very muscular and tall as well. Elida squeezed her eyes shut for a moment then they flipped open.
"I remember," she breathed, "everything," she looked up at Nenya, "There was a battle, no, a brutal war. You slipped me out of the palace, and into a private spacecraft. I'm not sure, but you knocked me unconscious and I wound up on the front step of Capsule," Nenya nodded sadly, "They're dead aren't they," Elida said, "Our parents."
Nenya pulled Elida into a warm embrace, "But I'm still here Elida," she said, "I always will be, my sister." Nenya pulled back from her sister and faced Elida, "Let me help you remember Elida. Let my help you become who you were born to be. Return to my world, our world. Return to us, Elida."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bulma sat quietly outside the kitchen waiting patiently. Her makeup was running and her mascara was smeared. She knew this day would come, but she never wanted it too and couldn't bear to see her daughter leave, possibly forever.
"Mom, I mean, Bulma?" Elida said timidly, peaking her head out of the door. Bulma's head snapped up, "Bulma," Elida walked over to her foster mother, "I am so sorry. I was just overreacting and was a little, well exasperated," she said quickly.
"Oh, Elida," Bulma smiled, "I'm sorry too. I should have told you, long ago," Bulma cupped Elida's chin in her hand.
"Tell Vegeta, I'm sorry. He'll listen to you," Elida whispered, standing up, "I have to go pack," Bulma's eyes widened, "Nenya's bringing me back to Rai. We're leaving in a week."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Brief's backyard was filled with laughing people. Everyone had turned up at the residence for a "barbeque" but really Elida was going to tell them she was leaving after everyone had eaten.
"Woman, where the hell is the food?" Vegeta growled as Bulma set a salad down on the long, glass table. Bulma pointed at the salad, "What? That's not food, it's rabbit feed!"
Bulma rolled her eyes and began chatting with Chi Chi on the best way to keep the kitchen clean. Goten was being chased by Trunks while Gohan sat in the shade of a tree surrounded by his school books. 18 was trying to get Marron to eat some fruit as Krillin and Yamcha argued over where was the best place to kick an opponent. Piccolo sat in the branches of a large tree meditating.
"Food's ready!" Bulma yelled as she, Chi Chi, and 18 began bringing out massive plates filled with chicken, steaks, French fries, and numerous other delicious foods. The Saiyins roared out in approval and scrambled for seats. Vegeta, Gohan, Trunks, and Goten began to stuff their faces at a speed no human could match. They steadily ate their way through more then half the food as the women polished off the salad and Piccolo, Yamcha, and Krillin were finishing off some hamburgers and hot dogs.
Within the hour, dinner was finished and everyone leaned back in their seats, fully content and satisfied. Everyone but Vegeta, Bulma, and Elida, who knew what was about to happen. Gohan eyed Elida suspiciously. She was not her usual bubbly, whiny self. Not since he had been sent home from Capsule almost a week ago. Vegeta cleared his throat loudly and looked meaningfully at Elida. She nodded and stood.
"Everyone," she yelled over the cheerful talk of the small crowd, "I have a very important announcement which concerns you all," she said strongly. Even Piccolo looked up at her, giving the teen his undivided attention, "I don't know how to tell you this, so I'm just going to come out and say it," Gohan's stomach began flip, though he didn't know why.
"I know that I was adopted by Bulma and Vegeta," Elida tossed her head back a murmur went through the table, "I know that I am neither Saiyin," her gaze lingered on Gohan, "nor human," Chi Chi looked confused while the others gaped.
"My sister, my blood sister, came for me last week. She asked me to leave with her and return to my home planet. I agreed and we leave in two hours," Elida sat back down as Gohan's mouth dropped open.
Gohan got up and walked over to Elida, pulling her out of her seat, "Tree house. Now."
Elida nodded and followed Gohan to the tree house they had built when they were twelve. When they were inside Gohan began to run his hands through his hair and looked exasperated, "Gohan," Elida said calmingly.
"You're really leaving, El? For good?" Gohan almost yelled. Elida was taken aback a little by the emotion he was showing.
"Yes I'm leaving Gohan, but Nenya promised me I could come back in a year or two for a visit," Elida replied. She sat on the bean bag on the floor and folded her hands.
"Oh," Gohan sat as well, "But why can't you just stay here with us, El? I mean, your like family to all of us."
"Gohan, I've been given the chance to finally find out who I am and answer the questions I'm always asking everyone about my past. I need to know about who and what I am. Surely you can understand that?" Gohan nodded solemnly. Elida smiled slightly and touched his cheek, "I am so sorry Gohan."
"You're really leaving?" Gohan asked timidly. Elida laughed softly.
"You already said that, Gohan Son," Elida laughed. A sound like a jet blasted through the air. Gohan immediately tensed, "It's Nenya's ship. I'll be boarding in about an hour and a half. My stuff's all packed," Elida got up, as did Gohan. She leapt out of the wooden fort, followed by her best friend.
Vegeta stepped gruffly out of the house and walked up to his former daughter, "Here's your stuff," he growled. Elida thanked him with a smile. The suitcase was medium size and only one in number, very uncharacteristic of Elida.
"Traveling light?" Gohan chuckled almost sadly.
"It's mostly just pictures and mementos," Elida sighed. She gripped the case and walked up to the sleek spacecraft. She handed her luggage to Nenya who packed it into the craft.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elida hugged her foster father and kissed him on the cheek. Vegeta smiled grimly to the surprise of everyone. Elida smiled back through her tears. She kneeled in front of Trunks and Goten, "You take care of each other, alright?" the boys nodded solemnly. Elida hugged them both and kissed Trunks on the forehead.
Bulma swept Elida up in a strong embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks, "I'll miss you, my sweet Elida," Bulma choked. Elida kissed her mother on the cheek and tried to stop the new wave of tears.
"Gohan Son," Elida laughed, "You know I am no good at good-byes," Gohan nodded, a small tear glistened in the corner of his eye. Elida almost jumped on Gohan as she threw herself into their hug. Gohan squeezed her tightly, trying to imbed the smell of her hair in his memory, the sound of her voice, "Good-bye Gohan," Gohan only waved in reply as Elida walked up into the ship, wiping tears from her eyes. She waved at her family and the Z fighters from her ship window as Nenya hovered the ship for a second before it sped off into the sky, only to return with a completely different Elida a year later.
~Stay tuned for much, much more!!~
~E.A.~