Disclaimer;..........I still don't own DBZ....BooHoo
A/N; Well here is chapter 12. I don't really have a lot to say about it, 'cept sorry for the wait, and I hope you enjoy it. ~D.B
And Then You'll Know
Chapter 12
The door creaked open and a lone figure stepped inside. Quickly turning on his torch he briefly shone it around the room. It was empty, except for a rather large pile of hay that was. Smiling to himself, Krillen quickly made his way into the next room. Being carefully not to wake the many Sayians enjoying their first good nights sleep in many many years.
It didn't take long for him to find 18, she was snuggled up under the covers in a warm bed, which was next to her brothers, who wasn't alone in his bed. Smiling and shaking his head, Krillen turned his attention back to the stunning blonde sleeping beneath him.
God she was beautiful, even more so when she slept. Her face was void of its usual harshness, instead she looked like a helpless child and Krillen had to fight against the overwhelming urge to bend down and touch her.
Krillen was snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of 18 groaning lightly and rolling over.
"18 wake up" said Krillen as she gently nudged her shoulder.
"Mmm, what it is? What's wrong?" she mumbled, thought Krillen got the feeling she was still 95 per cent asleep.
"18, it's me, Krillen".
Slowly 18's eyes fluttered open and she sat up a little, her hair was all messed up and her face had that all over sleepy look on it.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she asked as she rubbed her eyes.
"I've brought the rest of your present"
18 shook her head and looked up at Krillen, "No, you've already done more than enough for us. Go back to bed"
Krillen took a calculated risk and sat down beside her. "18, I want to do this for you. Please" Krillen practically begged.
"Ok, go ahead. Waste your life away on us".
"Oh 18, it's not a waste. I know people don't treat you the way you deserve to be, but don't think that you don't have the right to live a normal life and be loved, because you do, trust me" said Krillen.
"OK," 18 was more awake now. "Where is this present of yours?"
"It's out in the hall, but I'm gonna need your help to bring it in"
"Ok," said 18 and she threw the covers off the bed and stood up. Krillen almost died right there on the spot. 18 was dressed in a her usual short, dirty ripped tee-shirt, that was supposed to white but was more of a yellowy brown and a pair of skimpy black panties. 18 didn't seem to notice his staring. Blinking himself back into reality, he followed 18 out into the hall.
"Surprise" said Krillen, he watched the reaction on 18's face as she admired the boxes and baskets of food that seemed to cover most of the floor. "What do you think?"
"I think you are an idiot," remarked 18. Krillens face fell. "The most best idiot I have ever met". His smile returned.
"I couldn't bring any cold items, since you don't have electricity or a fridge down here and I think my father would notice if I got electricity installed.
"Krillen you've done more than enough for us already. I don't think we can accept this".
"What? Of course you can accept it. It's a gift" explained Krillen.
18 shrugged her shoulders. If Krillen really wanted her to take it, then who was she to turn down perfectly good food. She needed it, and so did her brother, and Tarie, and Nison. They all needed a decent meal, so why be stupid and say no?
"Alright then," she said as she picked up a basket of fruit "Are you gonna help me bring it all in?"
"Of course I am" replied Krillen with a smile.
30 minutes later, all the food was in, and everyone was up, and digging in to the food like they hadn't eaten in weeks, which in most cases was true.
18 sat beside her brother, who had made the effort to get out of bed for the first time in weeks, and on the other side of her was Krillen.
"Please," offered 18 "Help yourself".
Krillen shook his head. "No, this is for you and your friends. I have plenty more upstairs".
"Alright then, but just as long as you know, your more than welcome to".
***
It was late when Chi-chi crept into the palace, she had stayed with Kakkarot longer than she had intended to.
Quickly and quietly she ran down the halls towards the living quarters, she was almost to her bedroom, when she ran into Vegeta. The first things she noticed about him – he looked like crap.
"Vegeta, what's wrong?" asked Chi-chi as she noted his miserable expression.
"We need to talk, something's happened" he replied.
"What? What's going on"
"It's about Bulma"
Chi-chi rushed down the halls, towards the medical wing, her heart was beating fast. Vegeta had told her all about her best friends accident and she just had to go and see her. She burst into the room and shortly after burst into tears.
Bulma was laying on the hospital bed, hooked up to all sorts of tubes and wires. The various monitors around her were displaying things that Chi-chi didn't understand. The whole scene was just too much for her. Slowly making her way over to the bed, she took in the situation, this just really wasn't her day.
She heard the door creak and spun around to see the doctor.
"Ah, princess Chi-chi, hello"
"What's wrong with my friend?!" Chi-chi demanded to know. The smile faded off the doctor's face and he put his clipboard down.
"Well," he began. "Miss Briefs has some major tissue damage, 3 cracked ribs, her lungs were crushed. This machine," the doctor tapped something with his pen "Is helping her to breathe at the moment"
"Is she gonna be ok?" asked Chi-chi as she sat down
"We think she is, but it's still to early to tell"
Chi-chi looked down at her friend and her eyes welled up with tears again. This wasn't right. Bulma couldn't die, they'd been best friends forever.
Her blue hair was hanging lose and limp around her face and her usually darkish skin was now extremely pale, and her hands where cold, so very cold. How would she ever manage to survive this?
Suddenly Chi-chi felt sick, she couldn't stand to see Bulma like this any longer. She was going to vomit, she just knew it. Standing up, she turned and ran out the room, knocking the chair over with a loud thud. She hardly made it out into the hall before she fell to her knees, she felt her stomach contact and she threw up all over the floor.
"Miss Chi-chi!" called a young female doctor as she came rushing over to her, "Are you ok?"
"Can I have a glass of water?" asked Chi-chi quietly as she stood up. She could already see one of the med wings cleaner's coming to clean up the mess she had made.
"Here you go" said the nurse as she handed Chi-chi a cool glass of water, "Now why don't you come and sit down for a while"
***
It wasn't until almost a week later he saw her again. He wasn't sure if she was avoiding him or if they just hadn't been in the same place at the same time.
Well now was as good a time as any to ask her. "18"
The blonde haired girl looked up when she heard her name being called, she smiled briefly before turning back to the big pile of clothing she had to wash.
Krillen picked up his washing basket and carried it over to the sink next to 18, turning on the tap, he left the big basin fill with cold water.
"I haven't seen you around for a while" said Krillen in an attempt to start a conversation.
"Been busy" muttered 18. Krillen noticed how hard she was scrubbing his sisters green top, any more and she would scrub a hole in it!
"What's wrong?" he asked.
18 blinked, how had he known something was wrong. Damn him, damn him and the fact hat he knew her so well. She'd let her guard down and he'd gotten to close, now she was stuck with him.
"Everything's wrong" she replied.
"Everything. That's a lot of things. Why don't you start from the top and tell me?" suggested Krillen.
"You'll listen?" asked 18.
"Of course. I'm never to busy for you my dear" the last two words slipped out by mistake and he waited for 18 to thump him, but she didn't.
"Well I guess it's just one big thing" began 18, as she pulled the green top out the basin and put in a long white skirt. "It's my friend Astrid. She's old, and very sick. I don't think she's gonna get over it and I guess I'm scared, because she's the last connection I have to my mother"
"Well maybe there's something I can do to help. How about I come down later?"
18 only shrugged her shoulders. "It's up to you" she said. She watched as Krillen tipped everything in his washing basket into the basin at once.
"You'll run the colours" warned 18
"Oh well, no biggie. I got lots more clothes". 18's face fell, whether Krillen realised it or not, he was royal – no matter how much he tried to deny it.
18 pulled the skirt out the water, it was the last item, she quickly pegged them on the drying line and headed back into the palace, only giving a very brief "Bye" to Krillen.
***
"What do you think of this one B?" asked Chi-chi as she held up a very expensive, silk red shirt.
"It's nice," agreed Bulma "It'll go with your pants".
"Ok, then that's that decided" she Chi-chi and she slipped on the shirt and pulled on a pair of black leather pants. "How long till Kakkarot will be here?" she asked.
Bulma looked down at her watch "5 minutes ago" she replied.
Chi-chi looked at her friend. She was so glad she had woken up and was getting well again, she was still in the hospital, but she was well on her way to a full, healthy recovery. "Ok," said Chi-chi as she capsulised all the other clothing she had brought down "I'll leave this with you till I get back. Don't die on me ok" warned Chi-chi, then with a quick hug for Bulma, she was gone.
She arrived at the top of the staircase and looked down, she could she Kakkarot standing at the bottom, dressed in dark jeans, a white tank top and an unbuttoned blue shirt over the top. She could tell he was nervous by the way that his tail was twitching. She began her graceful decent of the grand stairs and waved happily when he saw her.
"Hi, you look good" greeted Chi-chi.
Kakkarot bent over and planted a kiss on Chi-chi's cheek "You look beautiful" he replied. Chi-chi blushed and giggled.
"So are you ready to go?" asked Kakkarot.
"I sure am" replied Chi-chi as she picked up her purse and jacket, then she followed Kakkarot out the front door.
Around 10 minutes later they arrived in a part of town that was neither too casual nor too classy. Kakkarot took a deep breath and took hold of Chi-chi's hand, she was a bit shocked, but she didn't pull away. The pair walked hand in hand down the busy shopping strip, stopping to look in the ones that looked interesting.
"Ooh, look at this, isn't it pretty" cooed Chi-chi as she admired a beautiful silver necklace, she had a real eye for jewellery, she loved the stuff.
Kakkarot walked over to the display case and peered in. Chi-chi really had picked a nice piece, but unfortunately it didn't have a nice price, and much as he wanted to, he couldn't afford to buy it for her.
"It is really nice Chi, but I can't afford it" he sounded upset.
Chi-chi stood up straight and smiled at the clerk behind the desk. "Kakkarot, I didn't expect you to" she said, "C'mon, let's go to the next shop" she said as she took his hand and lead him outside into the fresh air.
Outside, the sun was beginning to set and the sky was beautiful shades of pinks and oranges, it was a truly beautiful sight, without even thinking, and rested her head on Kakkarot's shoulder and sighed happily. Kakkarot smiled and looked down at Chi-chi.
She was so pretty.
"C'mon," he said, after a few minutes, bringing Chi-chi back to her happy reality "We'll miss dinner".
Chi-chi had to laugh, Kakkarot loved food more than anyone she had ever met.
***
18 sat beside Astrid's bed and sobbed, 17 was by her side, he put a comforting arm around her shoulders and gave her a half hug.
"Is she gonna be ok right?" 18 pleaded with her brother to make it better.
"I dunno" 17 muttered, his eyes were glazed over and he was staring straight ahead. His reply was quiet and vague. It told 18 the whole story, he knew she wasn't going to pull through.
18 fresh batch of tears welled up in her eyes and cascaded down her cheeks. This wasn't fair. Why did everything bad have to happen to the people she loved?
"18 child, calm down" came an old rasp voice from the bed, both the twins snapped to attention.
"Astrid, save your energy, don't talk" said 17.
"Save it for what, what's about to happen is going to happen no matter how little I talk. So I might as well use my last few minutes constructively don't you think" 17 nodded.
"You two are like my very own children, and I don't want you to be sad when I go" she spoke low and slowly.
"No Astrid, don't talk like that, you'll be fine" protested 18.
"Don't be foolish 18. And besides, I think this is for the best, it's going to be a peaceful transition for me now..." she broke into a rousing cough, and both the twins jumped in shock.
"Don't be afraid young ones. Live your life to the fullest. 17, you've found someone to love, don't let her get away. Love will keep you strong. And 18, you've had a tough life, but don't think you won't find someone to love like your brother has. Open your heart to the people around you and you will see who is the right one for you. I know you've had a lot on your mind lately, but it will all become clear soon" she began to cough again, and this time she didn't stop for a long time.
It was scary. 17 could tell, this was it, any second now it would all be over for her, 18 sensed it too.
"Tell mama we love her"
"Of course" were the last words the woman spoke before her eyes rolled back and her body went limp.
"NO!" 18 screamed and she lunged forward, throwing herself over the body that was already getting cold. "No" she sobbed, tears streaming down her face. 17 leaned over his sister and ran his hand down Astrid's face, closing her eyes "Goodbye Astrid" he whispered.
He heard the soft footfalls of someone approaching and looked up to see Tarie. She crouched down next to him and wrapped him up in a tight embrace. It didn't take long for 17 to break down into tears.
"Shhhh, it's ok," Tarie rubbed his back in big slow circles, "It'll be alright. Just let it all out".
No one noticed 18 pull the blanket up over Astrid's face and leave the room.
"18, are you ok" asked Nison, he reached out to hug 18, but she moved out of his way.
"I'll be fine, just leave me alone" she said and she headed for the garden.
Once she was out in the fresh air she stopped, she fell to the ground, buried her head in her hands and sobbed long and hard. It hurt so bad.
But as it so happened, just the right person came to her rescue. "It's happened didn't it?" came his calm, yet worried voice.
18 didn't reply, she just shook her head up and down. Krillen came to her side.
"I'm sorry" he said, "I know how hard it is to loose someone you love"
"Why did this have to happen, my life is already screwed up enough!" suddenly she was mad, so mad! She jumped up and took a few steps back, leaving a very confused Krillen looking up at her. He stood up to go to her, but she did something very unexpected.
18 jumped back even more and a pink sphere of crackling energy appeared in her hand. "Don't come any closer Krillen, or I'll ram this thing straight into my chest. That will make the hurt go away, that will work".
Krillen looked horrified, she wouldn't would she? "18, get rid of that right now, you're scaring me".
"Scared huh? That's how I feel all the time. All the freakin' time!" she yelled and she thrust the ball into her chest. She screamed as she was flung through the air, but she never hit the ground. Krillen was behind her in a second, and she landed safely in his strong arms.
For a brief second, Krillen was relieved that 18 was so weak, the blast hadn't been enough to kill her, thank-god, but she had burnt herself rather badly.
"Why'd you catch me?" asked 18 through clenched teeth.
"Because I was not going to let you hit the ground, you would have broken you spine and died!" he snapped. He picked her up and quickly hurried her inside.
"You don't want me to die? Why?" she asked. "I mean nothing to you"
"That's not true, you are very important to me 18".
They arrived at the infirmary and Krillen told the nurse's what had happened. She told Krillen to take her to a room down the hall.
Sometime during the trip 18 had passed out, something for which Krillen was oddly grateful for, it had gotten him out of an awkward situation. The nurse came and applied something for 18's burn, then left.
It's wasn't until almost 45 minutes later that 18 woke up
But when she did, she screamed. Krillen, who had been out in the hall came running into the room faster than he had ever run before.
"What's wrong?" he asked, the worry in his voice was thick.
"Get me the hell out of here!" she shouted. "Now!"
Krillen winced, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to bring her here, "Ok, you can just get up and leave anytime" he said but she was already half way out the door. Krillen quickly chased after her.
"18 wait up" she didn't stop until she was well away from the infirmary.
"Why'd you take me there Krillen? Why?" she asked, Krillen noticed she was shaking.
"You needed help. If I had of known you don't like hospitals I never would of..." he trailed off.
"Hospitals. It's not just them, it's doctors. And I just don't not like them, I'm deathly afraid!" she yelled. Several passers by stopped to look, but the looks Krillen gave them quickly sent them on their way.
"Doctors? Why?" Krillen asked as he took a step towards her.
"It's was a doctor that turned me into the horrible freak you see before you today Krillen" she spoke quietly now.
"Freak? I don't see a freak, I don't know what you are talking about. You are a perfectly normal Sayian" he said.
"Normal," she scoffed "I don't even have a tail. And have you ever been able to sense a ki from me?"
Krillen shook his head.
"Exactly" she said and she stomped off down the hall.
Krillen didn't even try to follow her.
***
"Here you go ma'am" spoke the waiter as he pulled out Chi-chi's chair for her. She looked up at him and smiled, remembering that she was the princess and everyone in the restaurant was watching her. She kept reminding herself to use her best manners.
"Thank you sir" she said politely.
"Princess Chi-chi, if you need anything, anything at all, please let me know"
She smiled at him again, "I will"
Finally, and much to Chi-chi's delight, the snooty waiter walked off.
She looked across the table to her 'date' and rolled her eyes. Making Kakkarot laugh out loud.
"Honestly," she said "don't these people have anything thing else to do?"
"Well if I wasn't here with you, I'd be looking at you to, you just look so darn beautiful tonight Chi" Kakkarot replied. Chi-chi felt her cheeks go bright red with embarrassment, but Kakkarot only said she looked cute like that.
It didn't take long for their orders to arrive, which seemed much to grand for the type of restaurant they were in. But upon tasting the it, both Kakkarot and Chi-chi didn't care that this food had obviously been prepared for them, the kings daughter, and the son of the richest family on the planet. The meal was exquisite. Though both Chi-chi and Kakkarot found it rather disturbing to have everyone watching them eat, they were both rather used to attention.
"So," Kakkarot began "Do you think this will make headlines as well?" he joked. Chi-chi laughed as she remembered that from a couple of weeks ago, when she and Kakkarot had been on the front cover off all the trashy magazines.
"Probably" she replied
The chitchat between covered just about every topic imaginable, from the rather pleasant weather they had been given lately, to the possibility of getting a G.R installed at Kakkarot's house. Eventually the conversation switched to palace life.
"It must be great to live in the palace" said Kakkarot.
Chi-chi snorted and looked up at Kakkarot like he was some kind of idiot "Great? It sucks, I would give anything to live in a normal home like yours and not have so many responsibilities. My father is always so busy trying to stop the allegiance from crumbling to rubble he pretty much leaves the running of Vegeta-Sei up to me and Vegeta. He's not even on the planet at the moment"
Kakkarot looked at Chi-chi thoughtfully for a few minutes, but what came out of his mouth was anything but though out. "Yeah, my dad is always saying how he could run the planet better with his eyes closed. He says King Vegeta is useless"
Chi-chi double blinked, "Excuse me?" she asked. Kakkarot heard the malice in her voice and he knew he'd put his foot in it again, but he began to repeat himself none the less.
But a simple flick of Chi-chi's wrist silenced him "Shut-up," she hissed, "my father is a damn good king, he does his best to keep everything running smoothly and I will not have you saying anything otherwise" she snapped. Then she stood up and walked out the restaurant, leaving a very baffled Kakkarot with many stunned civilians and the bill.
***
A/N; Well that was smart of Kakkarot wasn't it? Will Chi-chi ever forgive him, or make use of the ancient art of grudge holding? Read on to find out!
And review please, you know I would if this was your fic! ^_~
~D.B