Disclaimer: I wish I owned it......
A/N: It's very late and I'm very tired, but I feel bad for not updating sooner, so here is a new chapter. Enjoy. ~D.B
And Then You'll Know
Chapter 8
"Zarbon" called Frieza. It only took a matter of second for Zarbon to walk into the room and bow to his master. "Yes lord Frieza. How may I be of service?" he asked, as he straightened back up
"Where is Dodoria?" snapped Frieza. Zarbon jumped, but quickly regained his composer.
"I don't know, sir" he replied.
"Well find him" Frieza demanded. Zarbon nodded his head and quickly exited the room.
***
Bulma pounded on the door and waited for her best friend to open up, she was impatient, and her annoying pounding was just one way of her showing it.
When the door finally did open the first thing Bulma saw was Chi-chi's half pissed-off, half still asleep face.
"What do you want B?" asked Chi-chi as she rubbed sleepily at her eye.
"I'm board, hurry up and get dressed and let's go get something to eat" said Bulma. Chi-chi's eyes widened slightly and she opened the door some more, she pulled Bulma inside and shut the door quietly.
"B, it's 9 am on a Sunday," said Chi-chi as she sat back down on the bed. "Why the hell are you awake?"
"I haven't been able to sleep lately" said Bulma. Chi-chi nodded her head, it was obvious by just looking at Bulma that she hadn't slept for days. She had dark rings under her eyes, her hair was a mess; she looked dirty.
"Ok," said Chi-chi "I'll just get dressed and lets go get something to eat". She pulled on a denim mini skirt and a white singlet top, she ran her brush through her long black hair a few times then dragged Bulma out the room.
When they arrived at the kitchen, a cook was already their awaiting their orders. They sat at the table and Bulma picked up the newest issue of her favourite magazine – and almost chocked when she saw what was on the front cover.
Chi-chi looked up, and raised an eyebrow. "What?" she asked curtly
Bulma swallowed what was in her mouth "This", she handed the magazine to Chi-chi, whose reaction was very similar to her own. Bulma couldn't hold it in anymore and she burst out laughing.
On the front cover there was a full sized picture of Chi-chi and Kakkarot when they had been out shopping, some jackass reporter had gotten a photo of Chi-chi holding Kakkarot's hand while they were going into the jewellery store. At the bottom of the photo in big bold letters was a caption, which read –
'Princess Chi-chi and her toyboy, shopping for rings'. Chi-chi threw the magazine down on the table and looked at Bulma.
"How the hell does that claim I have a 'toyboy' and that we were ring shopping?" she asked. Bulma shrugged her shoulders and put down her coffee, she picked up the magazine and looked at it again.
"It's says full story on page 32" she said, and she turned to page 32. There were more photos and a full two-page article on Chi-chi and Kakkarot, though most of it was complete and utter bullshit.
"This is ridiculous" said Chi-chi when she finished reading the article
"You gotta admit though, it's kinda funny" said Bulma
"Kinda funny! You wouldn't think it was kinda funny if it was you in there. Papa is gonna be so pissed".
"Yeah, I bet," agreed Bulma "C'mon, lets go for a walk"
***
Zarbon lurked about the palace halls in search of the blob that went by the name Dodoria. He had only been at the palace for one full day, and he still didn't know his way around, so far he had passed the same room 4 times, and he was mad. As soon as he found Dodoria, he was going to pound his ugly pink head in.
Zarbon, heard a door creak open and female voices, he turned in that direction and walked off. Soon he ran into Bulma and Chi-chi.
"Excuse me" said Bulma, in an attempt to get Zarbon to move, so they could continue on their way to the G.R
"I'll move when you help me," snapped Zarbon
"Fine whatever" said Chi-chi.
"Where would you expect to find an ugly pink blob in this palace?" asked Zarbon.
"How the hell would we know?" replied Chi-chi.
"Wrong answer" hissed Zarbon and he forced Chi-chi up against the wall.
"You let go of me right now" demanded Chi-chi.
"I don't think so" said Zarbon, and he moved his hand up to Chi-chi's neck, cutting of her air supply.
Bulma screamed and tried to kick Zarbon in the head, but he was faster than she was, and he reached out with his free hand and grabbed her foot. Bulma's eyes grew wide, as Zarbon clenched his fist around her ankle, she felt it begin to swell immediately. She powered up a ki blast in her hand and threw it at Zarbon, who had no choice but to let go of Bulma and Chi-chi to block the attack. Chi-chi gasped for air and took the opportunity to get her revenge, she balled her hand and hit Zarbon right in the cheek with her fist. HE swore loudly and stumbled backwards. Chi-chi quickly moved away from the wall, and grabbed Bulmas hand, dragging her down the hall and around the corner as fast as possible.
They went into the first room they came to and Chi-chi helped Bulma sit down.
"Are you ok B?" asked Chi-chi, she was genuinely concerned about her friends well being. Bulma looked up at Chi-chi, her blue eyes were shiny with tears.
"I'll be fine," she said. "How are you".
Chi-chi's neck was burning, she walked over to a nearby mirror to examine her self and was shocked at what she saw. Around her neck was the perfect imprint of Zarbons big blue hard. It was growing darker by the minutes and totally stood out against her milky white skin. She turned around to face Bulma and shrugged her shoulders.
"I guess I could cover it with my hair" she suggested, more to her self than to Bulma.
"No way" Bulma stood up on her good foot, "Your dad would pick up on it straight away. I've got some make up in my room that will cover it. I use it on hickeys all the time" she said.
Chi-chi snorted with laughter, then walked over to Bulma and helped her back to her room.
***
The king sat at the round table in the palace conference room, surround by some of the planets top people, as well as a few of the kings guards.
"Ok men," he said, as he rubbed his temples. "We have two weeks to gather the necessary troops. I estimate we will need 5 to 6 hundred men"
"Sire," said Nappa "I suggest using the lottery system"
"What do you mean?" asked the king.
"Well it's simple really. All the 1st and 2nd class male sayian aged between 21 and 31 will be given a ticket. If there number is drawn, they got to battle" replied Nappa. The king looked up at Nappa, he looked pleased.
"Well men, what do you think of the proposed lottery idea?" he asked. "If you agree with it raise your hand".
All the hands in the room went up – except for one. That was the hand that belonged to the Mayor of section C4 of Vegeta-sei, Mr. Nikkosu. The king looked at him sceptically. "May I ask what you find wrong with Nappa's suggestion?" he asked.
"Well," started Mr Nikkosu. "There is always the chance we may draw out the weaker of the males or that several males from one family may be drawn, or we may draw an injured Sayian" he said.
"Well obviously there will be exceptions, and we will draw reserves just to be sure. Whatever the case though. I see this to be a sensible plan, and to me it seems like the logical thing to do" said the king. Everyone present nodded their heads in agreement, with the exception of Mr. Nikkosu of course, who was still against the decision of the board.
"Then it will be done," said the king, and he stood up. Nappa did so too. "Now if you don't mind. I have important matters to attend to"
***
"Niiison," called Tarie in a singsong voice. "Where are you?". Nison looked up and smiled goofily, Tarie's moods had been a hell of a lot better ever since she and 17 and decided to 'hook up' as 17 had put it.
"I'm over here" Shouted out Nison and he poked his head up from behind the bushes.
"Ah". Tarie spotted him and changed her course of direction towards him.
"What can I do for you Tarie?" asked Nison as he wiped his dirty hands on his old, worn shirt.
"I've been told by that royal pain in the ass Vegeta to find you and 17 right away so you can report to a priority duty" she said, stars in her eyes at the thought of seeing 17.
"Ok ok" Nison stood up, glad to be out the garden, and wondering what could be so important he had to report to Vegeta himself. Suddenly a thought occurred to him.
"Tarie, which Vegeta are you talking about?". Tarie stopped and clipped her friend over the back of the head. "The king you idiot."
***
"17, you are really starting to bug me you know" said 18, she flipped her hair over her shoulder and gave her brother a death glare with her ice blue eyes.
"Yeah, I guess that's just the kinda guy I am" replied 17 stupidly. 18 rolled her eyes skywards, she just couldn't stay mad at her brother, it was just to hard, his good mood seemed to rubbing off on her.
"You're an idiot 17" she said. Then she turned her attention back to the job at hand, scrubbing the floors of the palace halls.
17 sighed happily and put his sponge back in the bucket. He didn't really care that he was stuck scrubbing. Lately things had really been looking up for him, sure, he wasn't going to get out of slavery any time soon, but ever since her had gotten with Tarie, one of his oldest and dearest friends, things had been getting and better. Just thinking about Tarie made him smile, so when he heard her voice a few minutes later, his happiness tripled.
"17!" she called.
"We're in here". Tarie and Nison made a quick left turn and walked over to the twins.
"Hey guys" said Nison. 18 pushed her hair off her face, with a wet soapy hand. "Dammit" she muttered to herself. Now her hair would be sticky.
17 stood up and greeted Tarie with a kiss on the cheek and a hug, 18 made sure to keep her eyes to the floor during the display of intimacy, when it was over, 18 looked up at Nison "Hi" she said.
"17, the king is requesting you and Nison". 18 looked up at her brother. Was it good the king wanted to see him? Something was telling her it wasn't.
"Ok," said 17 "Can you handle things here sis?"
"Yeah, I'm almost done here anyway".
"Ok see ya later 18," said Tarie. "C'mon boys. Lets go"
***
"Ow, ow, ow, ow..."
"Stop your complaining. We're almost there" said Chi-chi as she turned down the last hall that would take her to Bulma's house. They arrived at the door and opened it.
"Bulma, is that you?" came a peppy female voice from the kitchen
"Yes mum, it's me. Chi-chi as well" replied Bulma.
"Good morning Mrs.Briefs," said Chi-chi politely "How are you?"
"Oh well anything but good. I mean with that Frieza character on the planet it's hard to feel safe. It's ridiculous really, when you don't even feel safe in your own home. Oh that reminds me Bulma. I was thinking of having you father install a security system. What do you think of that?"
Bulma eyes grew wide and she scratched her head in bewilderment, she was glad she wasn't as dim witted as her mother. "Ah yeah, that sound great. Me and Chi will be in my room ok" she said, and she hobbled off, Chi-chi close behind.
Once they arrived safely at Bulma's room, they flopped down on the bed and were quiet for a few minutes. Bulma was the first one to sit up, she pulled up her pants to take a look at her ankle, it wasn't as bad as it felt, but it had swollen quiet a lot. "That's gonna need ice" she said to herself.
"So," said Chi-chi as she stood up and walked over to Bulma's big mirrored doors. "Where's this make up?"
"In my make up bag, over there" Bulma pointed to her desk, and sure enough there was a big pink bag sitting on it. Chi-chi picked it up and threw it at Bulma, who found what she was looking for and gave the item back to Chi-chi.
"Put some of that on your neck" she said. Chi-chi did as she was told and was pleasantly surprised at the results.
"How's your foot now?" asked Chi-chi
"Like I said before. I'll be fine. I just can't do any marathon running for a few days. That's all" Chi-chi laughed and soon Bulma joined in.
***
Krillen dropped his towel to the ground and then fell next to it with a thud a few seconds later. He was determined to get stronger so he could help in the battle against Frieza. And he was sure that training in 350 time's normal gravity was the way to do it. But after 5 hours, training in 350 times gravity became pretty hard.
"Simulation ended, gravity returning to normal" boomed the computerised voice of the G.R. Krillen breathed a sigh of relief and stood up. He picked up his towel and wiped his brow. "Thank god that's over" he said to himself as he pulled open the G.R's door and headed down the hall to his room for a much-needed shower.
On his way to his room, he passed the throne room, he could hear his father's voice booming from behind the closed door – he sounded mad. Being the curious young man he was, Krillen couldn't resist opening the door just a little and peaking his head in. What he saw inside confused him greatly. There were 4 or 5 rows of people, Krillen could easily identify them as the slaves and the king was yelling and screaming orders at them. Krillens eyes quickly scanned the audience for 18, but he didn't see her. So he shut the door and continued down the hall.
***
"Right you lot. Are you all clear on my instructions?" the king waited a few seconds before he spoke again "I'll go over it one more time to make sure you do".
Nison rolled his eyes towards the sky and 17 shook his head. What the king wanted them to do wasn't really that complicated.
"It is your job to go into the town and distribute these letters to all households in the 3 closest villages. When you return you will immediately report to me. Your maps will be distributed shortly" said the king.
Soon the maps were passed around and each man took one. 17 and Nison were happy to find that they were working in almost the same streets, and the quickly decided to work together, figuring it would get done quicker that way. Next they were handed a big bundle of letters each and kicked out the throne room.
"Well," said Nison "What do you say we get started?"
"Sound like a plan to me" agreed 17 and they set off down the hall towards the main entrance.
***
'This is stupid' 18 mumbled to herself as she plugged the vacuum cleaner into the wall and started to clean the carpets in Chi-chi's room.
"Did you say something?" asked Chi-chi from the bed
"No ma'am" replied 18 quietly
"Didn't think so," said Chi-chi "And when you're done in here could you clean out my bathroom?".
"Of course ma'am"
"And sweep the balcony"
"Yes ma'am"
"And do my laundry?". 18 nodded her head and turned her gaze out the big glass door to the bright blue afternoon sky.
Soon there was a knock on the door.
"Get that will you" demanded Chi-chi. 18 stopped the vacuum and went to open the door.
"Must you work her so hard all the time?" asked Krillen from the doorway.
"She's my slave and I can do what I want with her." said Chi-chi "What do you want anyway?"
"Bulma wants you". Chi-chi stood up and headed for the door, but she stopped before she got there and turned to look at 18.
"You better finish in here and if you screw anything up I'll make you pay" she said and she left the room, almost knocking Krillen to the ground in the process. 18 sighed and went back to her tasks. She didn't realise that Krillen came further into the room and was standing beside her. So when she saw him, she was shocked to say the least.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"I'm sorry she works you so hard. How about we go for a walk" suggested Krillen.
"No. I've got to much work, and beside, I don't like you – remember"
"Look, how about I help you here. Then we can walk". 18 did a double take, was Krillen actually offering to help her? She didn't believe it, she couldn't, she wouldn't, but she accidentally looked into his sparkling black eyes and – she did. Dammit.
***
Hours and hours later, 17 and Nison trudged back up the big hill that would lead them to the palace, and they were so glad when they finally reached the front gate and headed inside to rest. The walk from the front gate all the way to the slave quarters, which was at the very back of the palace, where no one dared to go, seemed to take the longest time of all. So when they finally reached the big wooded door they were just about ready to die from exhaustion.
"17, where have you been?" asked Tarie as she ran up to him and gave him a hug, 18 followed Tarie into the room to greet her brother
"Hi" he said sleepily.
"God, your exhausted, come lie down with me" said Tarie and she dragged 17 into another room. Nison stood sleepily in the doorway, wobbling slightly from side to side. 18 rolled her eyes and walked over to Nison. "C'mon," she said, "You're about to pass out". Nison gladly took 18's hand and she led him into the room she and Tarie had been in before the boys arrived.
"Lie down" demeaned 18. Nison didn't need to be told twice he gladly lay down and shut his eyes. He couldn't get to sleep though, and he had no idea why.
18 sat against the wall and looked affectionately at her brother, he look so peaceful and happy with his arm flung over Taries tiny waist. 18 felt a pang of jealousy wash over her at 17's newfound happiness, but it was quickly replaced by guilt. 17 deserved to be happy, he had been miserable for a long time. Unbeknown to her a tear slid down her cheek and splashed onto the cold floor below.
"18 are you ok?' asked Nison as he sat up a little.
"I'm fine" replied 18, though she was clearly not. Nison shook his head and crawled over to 18. Sitting down next to her. "What's wrong?" he asked
"Nothing" said 18 determinedly. Nison took a deep breath and put an arm around 18's shoulders, hoping desperately that 18 wouldn't kill him. Well she didn't kill him, or even tell him to move all she did was begin to sob even more. Nison was confused.
18 looked up at Nison through her crystal blue eyes, which were shimmering with tears and a whisper of a smile touched her lips. Nison smiled back and what he found himself doing next even shocked him.
"Ah, Nison, get off me you freak" shrieked 18 and she jumped up in disgusted before storming off into another room. Nison sat there shocked beyond all belief.
He hadn't had he?
No, he couldn't of.
Could he?
He did.
A/N: Well there you have it, yet another chapter. Next one will be up soon. I hope. Please review. And I'm thinking about doing a sequel to 'A Helping Hand', what do you think of that idea?. ~D.B