Declaimer: I do not own any of the DBZ characters or the locations, although Jade is my Saiya-jin (mutters) unfortunately... Jade looks up from the mound of food he had been devouring Wha? Sweat drops and says in slight panic Nothing! Stares at her for a second before shrugging and returning to food.... --'
No New Reviews sob
...= Flashback
= Change in scene
Chapter Four: Famous Brain-and-Brawn relationship "or" never truly change
Previously
"Come, come," Chi grins at the curious girl who's staring at her, "step behind screen, my dear and we'll fit you with something stylish." Chi-Chi winks before ushering the girl behind the changing screen
"And"
18 grins maliciously and cracks her knuckles. Yamcha blanches, gulps and whispers a silent, urgent prayer to Kami as she bares down on him
"And"
A lone pod shots towards their "mother-ship" and Vegeta turns on his heels with Krillin and Kakarot at his sides. They move smoothly out the door to the docking bay, to a wait the return of one of their own.
Bulma walks angrily back into her sanctuary—her lab, "That no good--- thinks he can just—why I 'audda—"Her half finished curses continue on before she sets herself purposefully into her chair before dropping her head within her arms on the desks surface and pouting.
'Now what am I going to do?' she thinks while swaying slightly in her spin-y chair. 'The girl not comprehendible in her language and ours,' her mind went back to the girl and the soft yips she uses to try and communicate with them.
"If only there was a translator—"Bulma mumbles out loud before it truly sinks in..." A TRANSLATOR!" Bulma shoots out of her chair and starts grabbing necessary items as a design starts to rapidly form in her head, she wasn't a genius for nothing!
Chi-Chi's and the young woman's shadows where dancing on the light fabric on the changing screen.
"Here, try this green one--- no not at all, how about this one--- no-no, here! This one is beaut--- nope! Not for you in the least—"Chi-Chi's excited voice was heard over the ruffle of clothing and the yips of the girl.
' This girls style is a challenge to find, but Chi-Chi Ox will NOT back down. Quite the opposite I welcome a challenge with open arms,' Chi-Chi thinks with a new sense of I-am-going-to-win-and-your-not-so-HA!
The woman's eyes watch as Chi- Chi disappears within the closet again. She sighs yet grins,' this was fun.' But her mind slowly goes back to the happenings of that day. She landed, was rescued, recovered, fought, and now was getting properly clothed—and her saviors didn't understand a word she says—not for long at least. A sly twinkle shines in her blue eyes.
Chi-Chi walks back in with five more fun outfits. The girl looks at her and opens her mouth; it's now or, well, later.
18 advances slowly upon the injured male before her while he, surprisingly, rises to his feet with words of "you shouldn't", and "what have I ever done to you?"
"Why shouldn't I?" 18 demands in a colder, harsher monotone then usual, "what has Bulma ever done to deserve the bull shit you throw at her time and time again!" 18's eyes flash with untamed anger.
Yamcha gulps and thinks, 'she's pissed, and strong, and I'm weakened by the tailed-freak—not good.'
He contemplates his situation and being the brawn of his and Bulma's Brain-and-Brawn famous relationship came up with—'I'm hungry—' He then sweat drops, 'wonderful plan Yamcha, no really! It was brilliant!' He turns then to face 18 who is slowly cracking her knuckles.
"18, buddy, now I know you want to pound my face into the ground right now but I'm hungry and I have a lunch date to get to so if--," his voice trails off. He watches her stop dead in her tracks and look at him in disbelief, which soon gives way to seething anger.
"Hungry," 18's voice is a dead calm monotone but her eyes flash a bright blue that engulf her pupil, "lunch—DATE!" She roars in explosive fury and she upper cuts him so hard he flies kilometers in to the sky. She then fades above him and elbows him smack-dab in the breadbasket. This causes his legs to touch his head as plummets to the earth bellow.
"You," 18 grabs his throat as he starts to fall past her new location, "are," she slugs him straight in the gut with a ki powered fist causing him to spit up saliva and blood, "a," she then throws him up. "PIG!" she screams as she elbows him in the nose causing him to fly back violently.
An evil glint enters her eye as she hears the crunch of his nose breaking against her cyborg arm and she mentally relishes in the whimper of pain he lets out as he flies back.
Yamcha finally thinking he'll hit the ground is once more stopped by the cold hand of 18. She pulls him towards her and lifts him up so her breath tickles his ear.
"And," she whispers in her monotone that is underlined with malice, "I wouldn't mind slaughtering this piece of bacon." With that she violently shoves him a way then releases a powerful ki blast at him which sends him hurtling through the air into the back forest with a crash.
She sniffs in destine before lowering herself to the soft green grass below. "He didn't even give me a workout," she pouts before turning on her heel and entering the large living compound.
Bulma's growling belly rudely interrupts her concentration. She glares at her flat stomach before sighing, putting her newly designed translator down, and heading for the living compound hoping upon hope that Chi-Chi has lunch ready.
As Bulma enters the building she isn't all that surprised to see 18 already seated. "Where's Chi?" she questions her blonde haired friend.
18 leans back in her chair before opening her mouth.
"BULMA!!! 18!!! COME QUICK!" Chi-Chi's shrill voice bombards their ears.
18 quickly grabs Bulma and shoots of in the direction of their companions voice.
They burst into the guest room, Bulma looks around franticly as 18 does the same with a ki blast already formed.
"What is it Chi? Did Yamcha come back? If so I'll kick his ass—"Chi-Chi interrupts 18's tirade.
"No, no, I just got the perfect outfit for the girl," it was now Chi's turn to be interrupted.
"That's why you screamed?" Bulma asks in disbelief, as she collapses onto the red leather sofa, 18 soon follows.
"Not exactly—"Chi-Chi smiles mysteriously, she then turns to the changing screen, "come on out and model for the girls."
The young fox woman walks out and smiles sheepishly. Bulma and 18 whistle and catcall playfully. The girl grins and spins for them her long forest green skirt twirls softly around her legs with two high slits on each side. Her near black, green vest stops right bellow her breasts with a soft light jade green shirt beneath it.
"Chi you really out did yourself, she looks marvelous!" Bulma exclaims clapping her hands excitedly.
"I agree Chi, you have a sense of style and the girl is your perfect model," 18 agreed.
Chi beams at the compliments and states truthfully with a mischievous glint her eye, "you know what this means don't you—"
18 and Bulma exchange grins then all three chorus together "SHOPPING TRIP!"
The young woman watches this all with a smile. 'Huh?' is the one thought that runs through her mind as Chi-Chi pulls her forward.
"Now if you remember I yelled for you to come in earlier," Chi-Chi starts.
"Yeah, it nearly gave me a heart-attack," Bulma grins.
18 nods in response to Bulma's comment.
"Well it was because this—young woman did something that caught me completely off guard," Chi-Chi grins at the girl as she smiles back.
"What'd she do?" 18 asks in her usual monotone but a curious spark was also in her voice.
Chi-Chi grins and then elbows the girl, "go on."
The girl grins and opens her mouth and says, "My name is Keelin."
Bulma and 18 stare in shock, mouths hanging wide open.
Yamcha grabs a fist full of grass before hauling himself out of the crater that he had created when he had finally hit ground.
"Damn those women, all four of them! Where do they get off to do this to me, ME the strongest man in the world! First the tailed-freak hits me with a surprise ki blast, that's the only reason it hit me. (AN: Yeah right Yamcha, only in your dreams!) Then Bulma, that blue haired bimbo had the nerve to strangle me then 18—man they don't understand that THEY are the weaker sex not I!" Yamcha pants and hacks.
Blood dribbles down his chin from his broken nose. As he stumbles through the foliage, he coughs leaving speckles of blood on the beautiful fresh leaves. Many creatures stir in the wooded area but the foxes where the ones acting most out of character. They ran just out of site of Yamcha yet they all headed in the same direction. Their sister called them; it could not be ignored.
"She, she," Bulma's expression of shock had Chi-Chi giggling.
"That was my reaction too, except I was saying 'You, you,' Chi giggles.
18 gets up and walks to stand before the fox woman she then thrusts her hand out and states with a smile, "My name is 18, Keelin, it's nice to meet you."
With a shy smile Keelin excepts the hand, "it's nice to meet you also 18."
18 laughs, "I like this girl."
Keelin smiles before leaning forward and touching noses with 18. 18, of course, is taken by surprise so she jumps back.
"I'm sorry, Keelin, but I like boys, "18 stammers.
Keelin only laughs, "I'm sorry, that just how we greet each other from where I'm from." Sadness suddenly glazes over her eyes as she stares down at her leather booted feet.
18 stands there awkwardly, she felt like she should smack herself, 'I should have guessed that it was a cultural act!'
Bulma gets up from the sofa and envelops Keelin into a warm embrace, "18 didn't mean to offend you, you just caught her off guard that's all." Bulma moved slowly to the bed and sat down with Keelin next to her, still in a comforting embrace. Chi-Chi sat on the other side of Keelin and 18 sat on the other side of Bulma.
Keelin looks up at Bulma then over to 18, "She didn't offend me, I understand that she didn't understand, if just, it brought back memories of home—"
Chi-Chi's eyes took on a determined glint, "then we'll send you back!"
Keelin looked up at her in shock.
"Your home sick, you should be back home with your family and friends!" Chi grins, "and we'll help you!"
Bulma and 18 both smile and nod encouragingly, "yeah, I can up-date you pod, Chi could stock it and 18 here could help me the more large mechanical help!"
Keelin smiles sadly and shook her head no, "it's not that simple."
Bulma stopped her out loud planing, "what do you mean?"
Keelin stares out the window, "he's looking for me, if I go back it will be the death of my race."
Bulma choked, Chi-Chi gasped and 18 stiffened. "But WHO'S looking for you?" Bulma asks timidly, slightly afraid of the answer that she may receive.
Keelin's eyes harden with hate, "Jade, my to-be-mate!" She spat the word mate out as though it was the foulest thing in the world.
Chi-Chi's eyes widen, "Mate? Like in husband?"
Keelin nods solemnly.
"But you're only 17 at most!" Bulma exclaims in protest.
"I've seen 16 cold seasons counting this one," Keelin replies.
"Well I'm around 19—it think," 18 states.
"Well I'm 18 and Bulma your--," Chi puts in.
"19 as well," Bulma sighs, "It's not fair for you Keelin."
"Was it an arranged marriage—I mean—mating, thing?" 18 asks confused.
Keelin gives a humorless laugh, "arranged? I guess it could be considered that to a point. Sure why not, I mean he showed up in the lower levels where everyone was congregating for the cold season move when he demanded for his mate. He grabbed the leader of our race and held him high.
"You must understand, my race is not weak but we respect our elders they are the eldest and wisest of our kind. So when he grabbed the leader, who is by far the eldest of us all, we took it as the threat that it was.
"He stated that the leader would be set free when all the eligible woman lined up before him. So, we did. I was toward the middle from the back, he would grab their necks and stare at them say words in his language and then shove them away angrily.
"I awaited for it to be my turn. He shoved the girl next to me with a growl so I stiffened my spine and looked him straight in the eye when he turned his attention to me. He stared at me for a second before his ever-present scowl lifted to a demonic smirk. He then grabbed my neck, said the words."Keelin takes a shaky breath, "he must have seen what he was searching for in me for he let out a bark of a laugh before he—"Keelin stops. She slowly moves her hair from her neck on her left side causing the women to gasp, "he sunk his fangs up to the gums into my neck."
"He WHAT!" Chi-Chi exclaims as she stares in horror at the young woman before her.
Weak, sad smile graces her pale lips, "I am his, for he has claimed me. "
"Didn't it hurt?!" Bulma demands fiercely.
"[1] Vulrapa yes!" a tear streaks down Keelin's cheek, "Vulrapa I screamed. I screamed and he laughed. My blood dripped from his lips before he licked it off. He lapped at my neck as though it where honey milk.
"He even had the nerve to purr! Though I must admit he seemed as surprised by the sound as I was. He then picked me up and held me bride still. Vulrapa I struggled, though it was weak and I soon stopped.
"My people where out raged for I am the strongest female, I was smart, my suitors growled and my kin howled in pain for me. And he—he—he laughed! He laughed and nuzzled me, 'my mate.' He whispered, 'my beautiful mesunokitsune mate. When you stood there in line I wished upon wish that you where the one, that you where my promised. What a pleasant surprise it was that you are. My perfect beautiful one.' His words were soft and gentle, he seemed to be so different then before he seemed on the verge of nice. That was, until my father rushed him." Tears splatter down Keelin's cheeks as all three females embraced her.
"You don't have to go on, Keelin." Bulma whispers with sorrow evident in her voice.
"You may not be ready to relive it just yet, "18's eyes shone with the sadness that her voice could not project.
"We'll always be here for you, Keelin, always," Chi-Chi soothingly rubs Keelin's back. She then breaks down and sobs brokenly in to the three older women, her goddesses.
King Vegeta stares as the pod slowly enters the ships docking port.
The pods hatch opens at that painfully slow pace that could drive nearly any Saiya-jin mad. A gust of steam exits right before the one and only passenger steps out. He, hardly out of the pod, gracefully kneels and throws his hand over his chest in sign of submission and loyalty.
"Your Majesty," his deep melodious voice wafts through the air.
King Vegeta smirks as he takes in the appearance of his top Elite. His hair was long yet pulled back in its infamous ponytail. The top of his head had a few stray spikes but not many. He was around the height of six feet; he truly was a beautiful specimen to behold.
"Elite, rise," King Vegeta states.
In one graceful movement the Saiya-jin before him rose but was still in the position of loyalty with his fist over his heart.
Kakarot and Krillin move in unison to a low bow to the other Elite with their left hand in back to the side then with a snap in front of them. The Elite then raises a hand and touches both men's extended hands. Signaling them to rise
"It's good for you to be back Jade," the King states simply when the formal greetings where over.
"I'm relieved to be back my Majesty, I just wish that I hadn't come back empty handed."
"Understandable Jade, your woman, if my memory proves me right is a spitfire to begin with, just think of it as a hunt."
All three soldiers grin evilly at the prospect of the hunt.
"Now, you did mark her didn't you?"
Jade nods once, "yes but she also stole my pod, it will probably be easier to track that at the moment. If that does not work we will use the slight bond that is forming."
Krillin looks up at Jade, "she fit?"
Jade smirks, "very, strongest female there and only on her 16th moon."
Vegeta smirks, "and you Jade are on your, what?"
Jade, "19th moon sire."
Vegeta nods, "Kakarot? Krillin?"
Kakarot thinks for a second, "my 20th I do believe."
"21st my lord," Krillin states sharply
"And I, my 22nd," Vegeta smirks.
"Come Jade you must be famished, then you must tell us all," Kakarot smiles.
"Kakarot! He's your commanding officer!" Vegeta hisses.
"Oh! Sorry 'Geta!"
Krillin snickers as Jade shakes his head sadly at the oblivious Saiya-jin. King Vegeta seethes and Kakarot tries to get out of the hole he's dug for himself but only makes it deeper.
"We will never truly ever give each other the respect that others will because of the bond of companionship that formed when we where brats," Jade mutters as he walks with Krillin watching his King shout at the fumbling fool Kakarot.
Krillin laughs causing Jade to look at him disapprovingly only to have the smaller man grin up at him in the most unsaiya-jin-ish fashion. Which only causes Jade's scowl to melt into an amused smirk. Yes things will never truly change.
Translations
[1] The Goddess of her planet (I made it up -)
Keelin: mission impossible music starts to play as she maunders through the room
Bulma: What are you doing Keelin?
Keelin: looks up at Bulma Hiding...shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh—
Bulma: Looks confused From what?
Keelin: From Jade, I called him my bougu in the last chapter—I think I excited him --'( sweat drop)
Bulma: blink blink You did WHAT?!?!
Keelin: Covers Bulma's mouth shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... he might hear you looks around nervously I think he has magic powers that help him find me!
Bulma: rolls eyes
Keelin: eyes glaze over in thought
(In her mind)
Jade: appears with a long black cape and a black pointy hat in a dungeon like area Mesunokitsune... creepy sing-songy voice You run but you cannot hide spins the liquid in his black cauldron
Gerfery (the flying magical gerbil): flies in I am Gerfery! The flying magical gerbil that gave Ooze the snail his magical hat that transformed that ordinary garden snail into Dum dum dum dum OOZE-the magical snail! Now my dear magician of a Saiya-jin how may I help thee?
Jade: turns to the flying magical gerbil You must get me popcorn.
Gerfery (the flying magical gerbil): blink blink Popcorn?
Jade: rolls his eyes as though it's obvious I need popcorn to locate the location to which my Mesunokitsune is located, so locate the locating popcorn so I can locate her with it locating locativness!
Gerfery (the flying magical gerbil): And what if I don't?
Jade: grins evil and flips his BIG book of stuff open and points to a page
Gerfery (the flying magical gerbil): looks at it GASP! You wouldn't!
Jade: grins murderously I will if you don't get me the locating popcorn of which I can locate my woman with in her new location from this location!
Gerfery (the flying magical gerbil): stares with wide eyes at the funny looking man in the black cape and black pointy hat Alright, be right back... do you want ButterLovers or Regular
Jade: looks up from his coludron and thinks for a second ButterLovers.
Gerfery (the flying magical gerbil): nods head and POOF is gone!
(End of Keelin's thoughts)
Keelin: Eyes widen AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! NOT THE POPCORN!! DIE GERFERY THE FLYING MAGICAL GERBIL!!! runs screaming from the room
Bulma: blink blink Huh? Popcorn? Gerfery, is that even a name? Flying magical gerbil? Wha?!?! is totally confused
Jade: runs in wearing a black cape and black pointy hat Keelin I FOUND YOU! holds up his bag of popcorn this locating locator of popcorn has located you from the location I was previously in to this new location of which you are located!
Bulma: blink blink What's with the cape and hat? Location popcorn? Huh?
Gerfery (the flying magical gerbil): flies in is she here? sees Bulma Ahh! Hello I am Gerfery! The flying magical gerbil that gave Ooze the snail his magical hat—
Bulma: Gerfery? The Flying magical gerbil? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! runs screaming from the room following Keelin
Gerfery (the flying magical gerbil): Ingores the fleeing Bulma-- that transformed that ordinary garden snail into Dum dum dum dum OOZE-the magical snail! Now my dear blue haired goddess how may I help thee? notices Bulma is gone Was it something I said?
Jade: shakes head No, I think it's the popcorn holds up bag it reads "REGULAR" I asked for ButterLovers! growls
Gerfery (the flying magical gerbil): pouts I'm sorry
Jade: growls then pouts And my woman got away... looks down at the bulge in his spandex
Readers: blink blink Break out laughing
Jade: does the glare of DOOM DOOm DOom Doom doom doo. do.. d... ....
Readers: shut up right away
Jade: grins triumphantly
Keelin: POPCORN AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH her voice echos through the room
Jade: I found you! runs towards her voice with popcorn in hand
Readers: silently leave this place is crazy ...shhhhhh!
Cricket cricket
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