DISCLAIMER:Nope...don't own dbz.

For any of you who want to be notified of updates...email me at videl621@yahoo.com subject title "Update Mailing List" And now to the story.

~*~*~Chapter Three: Old Friends Reunite~*~*~

Bulma was standing in front of the full-length mirror just admiring herself. "Man, if the guys back home could see you now! They'd all drop to your feet and worship you, you look so good!" Bulma said aloud. She was dressed in a dark pink halter-top that went to just above her belly button, showing off her dark tan. She was also wearing a pair of low-rise black capris. They perfectly accentuated her curved hips. She had painted her nails and toenails the same shade of pink as her top and was wearing a pair of black sandals. Her aqua hair was styled in a french twist and had been adorned with two sparkling diamond Bobbi pins that resembled butterflies. She let a few wisps of hair fall, framing her face, and had spiral-curled them. She did her make-up just right managing to bring out the magnificent cerulean color of her blue eyes. "Man, you sure are a looker!" she nodded appreciatively. I just hope I run into Mr. "I am royalty, you will respect me!" blah blah blah. Let's see how ugly he thinks I am now! she thought, smirking evilly.

"Now, if only I can find my way out of here...," she said to herself, emerging from the bathroom. She noticed a door to the left of the fireplace and decided to try that. Crap...stupid thing needs a pass code. Good thing for me, I'm a genius...it's just going to take me a few minutes longer than I would have liked. She searched around the room looking for something to remove the electrical panel to the door. I've got it! she thought running back to the bathroom. She quickly searched through her bag of toiletries and found her nail file. This should do nicely she thought. Before walking out of the room she quickly encapsulated her toiletry bag and trunk and placed the capsules into the pocket of her capris. No need for anyone to steal these from me.

She quickly ran back over to where the door was and started unscrewing the screws that held the electrical panel in place. Removing it, she came upon a mass of wires. Well maybe these people aren't so dumb after all. It seems they have an added security feature. Oh well, it will just add five more minutes of work, but this is still child's play to me. I could have taken something like this apart when I was 10...it just would have taken me an hour or so. She got to work quickly stripping the wires of their plastic encasing, making it easy to "hotwire".

~*~*~

"Thanks so much Chi, we really appreciate it!" Krillen said.

"Not a problem at all, I'm just excited I get to meet a new friend. And thanks for letting 18 come along. I would have felt so horrible leaving her in the kitchen all alone. She is after all my best friend," ChiChi replied.

Krillen just blushed. "It's okay, she's more than welcome," Krillen said, briefly glancing over at the blonde-haired beauty. He was surprised to find her looking over at him also. They both briefly exchanged a smile and blushed turning away.

ChiChi snuck a peek at Kakarot. He was walking with an extremely saddened expression on his face. She hated seeing him like that. It just wasn't him. He looked much better grinning like a fool. In the two months she had known him, she had silently forgiven him for stealing her from her home and forcing her to be a slave. She had even begun to consider him a friend. He was such a sweet guy, she knew that he would never have taken her if it hadn't been for Prince Vegeta ordering it. She loved the way his eyes danced when he was happy. She loved the child-like innocence he had maintained. Most of all she loved how his hair was always so wild, refusing to be tamed. She quickly stole another glance at him and was shocked to find herself staring into his eyes. She saw an emotion quickly flit across his eyes and then disappear, before she had the chance to read it. There was, however, one emotion that remained.

"Kakarot, will you stop sulking? Grr, I don't understand why you are all of a sudden so sad! You come to the kitchen everyday begging for taste-tests before dinner and you know I never let you. You should be used to it by now. I've never seen you act this way though, what's gotten in to you? Will you please cheer up?" ChiChi begged.

Kakarot looked confused for a moment. He was again thinking on how any shot he'd ever have at getting ChiChi as a mate had been dashed by the fact he was her kidnapper. He had glanced over at Krillen and saw that he was repeatedly exchanging glances with 18, and they were both blushing uncontrollably. How he wished ChiChi would look at him in that way...then he glanced at her and to his amazement, his eyes locked with hers. Can it be...do I maybe have a chance after all? His eyes then glazed over with sadness, no...she will never forgive me for the life she's now forced to live. He couldn't believe she knew he was sad. Then understanding washed over his features as he realized her reasoning for his sadness. Does she think food is all I ever think about? ChiChi, if you only knew the real reason for the sadness in me. I cannot explain these feelings I have for you. It has only been two months, but I know that if I ever lost you to another...it will kill me. I need you Chi...

Kakarot just sighed and forced a smile, "I'm alright Chi, really!" ChiChi still didn't look convinced. "Okay, okay! I promise tonight that I will make a dinner dessert especially for you, alright?" ChiChi said.

Kakarot's eyes brightened a bit at this, but ChiChi could still detect a hidden sadness and was determined to find out what was going on later. Next thing she knew, the other three had stopped walking and were standing before a door. Kakarot walked over to the door and was about to type in a pass code when all of a sudden the door opened.

~*~*~

"What happened?!?" Krillen and Kakarot said in unison, both looking bewildered. From inside they heard someone say, "Yes, I do have to admit I am a genius!"

"Bulma?" ChiChi said. "Can it possibly be true?!?" ChiChi quickly rushed through the door. Bulma recognizing the voice got up excitedly. In the moment their eyes met, tears began cascading down their cheeks simultaneously.

"ChiChi!!!" Bulma shouted throwing her arms around the girl.

"Bulma, I can't believe it's really you!!!" ChiChi said, hugging Bulma tightly.

"What are you doing here?" They said to each other in unison. They both replied at the same time, "I was kidnapped!" They laughed at each other. "Well, we definitely think alike, that's for sure!" Bulma said, releasing her friend from their embrace.

The friends, happy to have been reunited, were completely oblivious to the other three people who curiously watched them.

"How do they know each other?" a shocked Kakarot asked Krillen.

"I don't know...you are the one who picked them both up after all!" he replied.

Krillen glanced over at 18 who was looking very nervous and out of place. "Don't worry 18, you and ChiChi have been like two peas in a pod since you both arrived. ChiChi won't forget about you," Krillen said, assuredly patting her on the back.

"Thanks Krillen...," 18 said. Giving him a quick hug and a small peck on the cheek, she continued, "I needed to hear that." Krillen blushed and mumbled something incoherent.

ChiChi was the first to notice them. She quickly ran over to 18 and took both of her hands in hers and pulled her over to where Bulma stood. 18 and Bulma smiled shyly at one another.

"Bulma, I'd like you to meet 18, she has been my only source of sanity on this ship. She is my best friend," ChiChi said. Then, turning to 18 she continued, "18, I would like you to meet Bulma. Bulma and I grew up together. We've been through so much together we are practically sisters. Bulma, too, is my best friend." ChiChi looked between the two. She desperately wanted her two best friends to get along. 18 shyly held out her hand to shake Bulma's. Bulma took it in her own and shook it gently. When they dropped their hands, Bulma enveloped 18 in a hug. "Sorry, but I'm more of a hugging person," Bulma laughed. 18 also laughed. ChiChi smiled excitedly and threw her arms around her two best friends, squishing them both.

Kakarot cleared his throat, attempting to get the girls attention. Bulma and the two girls turned towards the noise and noticed Kakarot and Krillen. Bulma vaguely remembered seeing Kakarot before. She walked up to him and looked him over, "Have we met before?" she asked.

"Yes, twice actually," he replied.

Twice...hmm...I don't remember. Oh wait!!! I think I remember something! "You! You were the guy in my house...weren't you? Yes...you have the same child-like innocence in your face. The same gentle eyes...it is you," Bulma said. "Were you there to save my family and me from that monster upstairs? Is my family okay? But wait...when did we meet the second time?" Bulma questioned.

Kakarot coughed uncomfortably and started rubbing the back of his neck wishing he didn't have to say this. "Yes, it was I in your house. But no, I was not there to save you. That so-called monster that was upstairs was Prince Vegeta. We were there to collect you. And as for the second time we met, you passed out in Vegeta's arms after running through the woods. He deposited you into my arms telling me to deal with you. You briefly woke up on the way to the ship and started screaming and hitting and kicking me wherever you could. The kicking and hitting didn't really phase me, but your loud mouth was hurting my ears. I conked you on the back of the head to knock you out but didn't realize you were so weak. You have been unconscious for 36 hours...I was beginning to wonder if you'd wake up," Kakarot reluctantly replied.

Bulma was suddenly furious, as the memories of what he said began flooding back. "Yeah, I remember now, you...you...overgrown...MONKEY!" she shouted noticing his tail. His tail?!? "Hey...why do you have a tail?" Bulma curiously asked, forgetting her anger.

"All saiyans have tails," Krillen said, unwrapping his tail from his waist and showing Bulma.

"Wow..." she said, reaching out to touch it. Krillen immediately rewrapped his tail tightly about his waist. Glaring at Bulma he said, "Never touch a saiyan's tail unless you are given permission!"

"Hey Krillen, I think we should show Bulma to a new room before Vegeta comes back and has a fit!" Kakarot said anxiously.

"Yeah, good idea!" Krillen replied, looking just as anxious.

Noticing the worried looks on Krillen's and Kakarot's faces, Bulma said, "No thanks. This room suits my needs perfectly! I don't feel much like going anywhere...I've just fallen right in love with this room and all of its decorations!" Bulma smirked as ChiChi and 18 just giggled.

"Well, how about this...since you and ChiChi know each other so well, I'll allow her to move out of the slave quarters and share a room with you. But only if you are willing to relocate!" Kakarot said.

Bulma was elated to be able to have her best friend allowed to stay with her, but she wanted something more. "No, I'm sorry that just will not do!" Bulma replied, crossing her arms over her chest and fixing Kakarot with a glare.

Kakarot's face fell and he looked over at Krillen. He begged Krillen with his eyes to help him. He didn't know what else to do. What else could this woman possibly want? Plus, that would have been the perfect opportunity for me to score some brownie points with ChiChi. I know she surely must HATE living in the slave quarters with little to zero privacy. He sighed and gave her a questioning look.

Bulma grinned noticing the look in his eyes. He was silently asking her to propose a better solution. She looked over at 18 and ChiChi and walked over between them putting an arm around each of their shoulders. "The only possible way I am leaving this room willingly is if all three of us get to share a room together. Sure, I'd love for my best friend to stay in a room with me...but then how on earth would I be able to develop a sisterly bond with my new best friend?" she said grinning at 18. ChiChi just jumped for joy within. Bulma, you are the best! Thank you so much. 18 is so shy, she never would have asked, but you noticed her needs.

18 just gaped at Bulma, her mouth hanging wide open. Her eyes unwillingly began to water. She could not believe her good fortune. Before meeting Chi, she had never known what a friend was, had never wanted to. Then Chi became her whole world...they did everything together. Now, this kind girl had the opportunity to take her away and was instead inviting her in on their happiness. In her eyes...Bulma was a blue-haired angel. She not only was accepting her as a best friend...but also had pulled her and Chi out of the gutters of living in the slave quarters. "Thank you..." was all 18 was able to manage...she just prayed her eyes spoke the rest.

Krillen grinned. This Bulma girl definitely was a smart one. What am I thinking?!? So she outwitted Kakarot...who hasn't? Then he laughed silently. Then again, I was beginning to fear for what we would do...Vegeta sure wouldn't be happy if she was still here when he arrived.

Kakarot looked to Krillen. Taking one slave out of the slave quarters and giving her a normal room was going to be hard enough...but two?!? Krillen seeing the distressed look on Kakarot's face stepped forward towards Bulma, letting Kakarot know he would handle it. He noticed the relieved look on Kakarot's face and smiled.

"Alright, well, you have a deal on one condition," Krillen said.

Bulma smirked and said, "Name it!"

"You have to put together that paneling before you leave, because the prince will not be happy if he comes to his room and sees that mess," Krillen said gesturing to the mass of wires sticking out of the wall.

Bulma scowled at the mention of the prince but figured it was a pretty decent bargain. She held out her hand and Krillen shook it, "Done!" she said.

She quickly went to work putting everything back in order, yet added a special feature herself, unknown to those watching her. She grinned in triumph and wondered what his majesty would think when he came upon her surprise for him. She then gathered her things and stood up. Realizing she never met Krillen she walked back over to him.

"Hey aren't you a little short for a saiyan?" she said teasing.

Krillen just looked at her and glared. "If you are done, I suggest we leave."

"Alright, man, I just wanted to know what your name was but figured I'd strike up a conversation as well," she said smirking.

"The name's Krillen. And I've already heard much about the "loud-mouthed, blue-haired baka", Bulma Briefs," he said smiling.

Bulma inwardly fumed but decided to let it drop. She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot impatiently. "I thought you wanted to leave, so let's go!"

~*~*~

The gang quickly walked out of the prince's room. They walked about 50 ft. down the hall and turned right. After walking about another 10 feet, Krillen and Kakarot walked to the first door on the left side of the hall. Opening it up they saw a large...apartment? No...house is more like it! Bulma thought. ChiChi and 18 were ecstatic, they couldn't believe their luck. They were going from a room that slept 20 people on ten consecutive bunk beds...to this. They had a large spacious living room with a 32in. television a tan leather couch and overstuffed armchair. There was a decent sized kitchen with a small dining room to the east of it. The dining table easily seated four and six could be squeezed in if need be.

There was a long hall running back between the living room and kitchen. There were two doors on the left and one on the right. The bedroom to the right was much larger than the other two. It was furnished with a queen-sized bed. No linens were on the bed, but to the right of the bed Bulma noticed a linen closet. To the left of the bed was a bathroom containing only a toilet and bathtub. The bathroom was decorated in white and a cyan blue, as were the walls in the bedroom.

The other two rooms were identical to the first except for minor differences. The other two rooms only contained full-size beds, again not containing linens, and they were decorated in different colors. The first room on the left was decorated in white and a dark mauve, as was the bathroom. The second room on the left was decorated in white and a soft yellow, as was its bathroom. ChiChi and 18 stepped away from the others and came to a decision.

They walked up to Bulma and ChiChi spoke. "Bulma, it has been decided that you should have the room on the right. Not only does it have the larger bed, but the blue goes lovely with your features. Plus, if it wasn't for you, we'd still be sleeping in a room with 18 other girls on bunk beds," ChiChi laughed.

18 then spoke up, "ChiChi will have the first room on the right, the darkness of the mauve brings out the color of her eyes, and I shall take the last room," 18 grinned.

Bulma smiled at her two friends, "That will work out fine, plus, the yellow will totally go great with your hair 18!" 18 just grinned. "Well, why don't we go and pack up all of your things?"

ChiChi and 18 nodded their agreement and the three girls linked arms and walked off towards the slave quarters, chatting excitedly.

Krillen and Kakarot left the girls' little mini-house. As they were shutting the door behind them, a messenger ran up to them. "Prince Vegeta requests the presence of both of you immediately."

Krillen and Kakarot nodded and the messenger bowed and left. Kakarot and Krillen just smiled to each other and left in search of Vegeta.

"Wonder what Vegeta wants," Kakarot thought aloud.

"Well, we will soon find out," Krillen replied, turning towards the door that lead to the conference room.

~*~*~

Well, this is the longest chapter so far...but just wait...the next chapter is even LONGER! ^_~ Please hurry up and review because I really really want to post the next chapter...I had so much fun writing it last night. Here's a little preview:

Bulma went into her room and found some paper. She needed to start brainstorming their escape. Now this won't be easy, not knowing what this place is going to be like...but I can at least get some ideas down. Man, I still don't even know what I'm supposed to do on their planet. Oh well, I'm sure we are going to need a faster space ship than this piece of junk we are riding on...so might as well start on that! She sighed and settled herself in a chair to begin planning.

~*~*~

Vegeta awoke and began to dress for dinner. He had not had a very fitful sleep. He had had the nightmare again. One that he had been having for years now. He knew what lay ahead of him would be hard...the woman in his dream and himself had finally met. After years of dreaming of their fates...he had met her and now she seemed to be invading his mind. He growled his frustrations. He just knew that there was going to be some problem with this woman and the affect she seemed to have on him. Stupid baka woman... He quickly put on his silver-plated armor (AN: not only is he a prince...but I personally HATE the color gold...so Vegeta most likely will always wear silver! ohh...um sorry...back to the story ^.^) over his black spandex. He left off the red cape deciding to dress more casually due to the fact he had accepted a dinner invitation. His two head guards, not to mention best friends, had told him of their plans to eat in the cafeteria that day. Since they were always the people he chose to have his meals with, he decided he too would eat in the cafeteria as well...much to the shock of everyone else.

He took a look at himself in the mirror and smirked. He looked good and he knew it! (AN: And if any of you thinks he doesn't look good...ya'll are insane and don't deserve to be reading this fic about the love of my life....*cough cough* uh...yeah just kidding....please keep reading, and don't forget review review review...) He strode over to the door and put his finger on the keypad to enter the pass code.....(AN: all the dots are because I cut out some stuff from there that you won't be able to see until you read the chapter...remember Bulma adding a little something extra for the prince when putting together the paneling?!?! lol!)He started powering up unconsciously and shouted at the top of his lungs, "WOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

~*~*~

Bulma smirked as she heard the scream of a very angry prince. Serves his Royal Highness right! Hehe...Bulma, you are so good! I bet no one has gotten the best of that guy...they are all probably too scared to!

Okay...that's all. So what do you think Bulma did to the paneling that made the prince so upset? And what of this reoccurring nightmare the prince seems to be having. He had finally met the girl in his dream...who could it be? Is it Bulma? Or is it someone else??? You will have to review (a lot!) to find out. I know I'm evil, huh?!?! LOL. Luv ya'll!!!!

Videl621