Sorry for the huge wait, but everyone seems pretty busy now a days, what with school nearing a close in a month or so, and I've been busy myself, as well as uninspired. I originally wrote most of this chapter months ago and kind of lost heart in it for some reason, and never got around to finishing it. Not to mention my mother found almost all of my High School story on my old computer, which scared the crap out of me, since my writing has been a secret. She's always nosey about what I do on the net, and I hate keeping stuff from her but she doesn't see things as I do. I know she wants to protect me, but I'd never do something stupid enough to be caught or something. She worries too much, God Bless her. ^.^;
Anyways here is the chapter, and I hope you guys like it and let me know what you think.
~*~
"Finally!" Vegeta said, relieved to have the horrible garment off of him. He stood bare chested, in spandex shorts and socks, holding the bra he had just removed. He looked at it in disgust and dropped it to the floor, where it joined the rest of the feminine clothing. He sighed in relief. The wig laid in scattered tangles in the heap of clothes at his feet. He shook his hair, which had sprung up in freedom as soon as the wig had been removed. Vegeta looked to Goku.
"I can't get it off!" Goku said, panicked. He was reached behind his back, trying to unclasp the bra, but his hands couldn't reach the hooks. He whined, walking in a circle as he tried every possible way of reaching over his back to get at the clasp. Vegeta just watched in a half-amused, half-disgusted way. To see Goku in a bra was very disturbing. However, it was also funny. He shook his head. What had he been reduced to?
Chi-Chi opened the door to answer Goku's cries for help. She blinked as she watched him, then walked in. He helped him get out of the contraption. Goku was very happy to get it off, and brought Chi-Chi into a tight thankful hug. She coughed. Vegeta pulled on his pants and his button-up shirt, walking out of the room as he buttoned it up. Goku and Chi-Chi followed, Goku hopping into some long shorts, a wifebeater sloppily pulled on over his upper body. Chi-Chi stopped him and adjusted it, straighetening out the wrinkles in a motherly fashion. Piccolo watched them, seated on the coach in a black long sleeved shirt and long semi-baggy khakis. He sweat dropped. Krillin sat in an orange shirt and black pants, next to 18. Her blonde hair rested softly on her shoulders which were adorned by a light blue shirt and long black skirt.
Bulma sat on the floor in front of the coffee table, math book spread before her. She scribbled furiously at a problem on her paper. Vegeta watched, almost able to see the saw dust her pencil was immiting with the combined force of speed and friction against the paper. He shook his head, sitting on the couch behind her, at Piccolo's side. "We already ditched classes," He informed her, "Why do your homework?"
Bulma stopped suddenly. Piccolo watched with half open eyes, surprised the paper hadn't caught fire. Bulma looked sharply at Vegeta, her blue hair snapping the side of her face as she jerked her head around to look around him. She glared. "Because, I care about my education, unlike you." Vegeta stayed silent until she resumed work, then looked at Piccolo and rolled his eyes. Piccolo brought his index finger to his temple, then moved it in a circular motion around that area to display his thoughts on Bulma's sanity. Vegeta smirked.
Piccolo yawned and stood, looking at his watch. It was 4:30P.M, Friday afternoon. Football would still be going on if they had not taken care of that previously. He smirked. Usually the practices lasted 4:00-6:30; Two hours of conditioning hell. He shook his head and stretched slightly, "Well, what is tha plan for tonight?"
Bulma didn't answer, still scribbing hopelessly upon her math paper. Goku and Chi-Chi looked clueless, and he ended up looking at Vetgeta, who shrugged. He closed his eyes, "Well, I know where I'm going. You guys go out and do something nice...I know you haven't been able to in a long time."
Goku opened his mouth to ask where he was going, but the first word was barely off his tongue as the front door shut firmly behind the Namek. Bulma raised her eyes from the math book and starred out the window, watching Piccolo fly off into the night sky from the front lawn of the frat. (They decided to only travel by flight in the night time, when no one would notice.)She frowned a little and looked at Vegeta. He gave her a look of reassurance. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be fine on his own."
Bulma narrowed her eyes, "Well I'm not. I don't think he'll be okay--he's still upset about Karina even though it doesn't seem like it that much right now, and what if he tries to--"
Vegeta cut her off, "He's not suicidal, Bulma."
"I wasn't going to say that," Bulma shot, "I was saying, what if he tries to find her--"
Vegeta cut her off again, this time his voice loud and somewhat angry, "You know he doesn't have a clue where the hell she is right now! You think he's going to just fly around searching aimlessly? He has brains, Bulma." He was about to say "And I thought you had brains, too," but decided that that would send her totally off the edge.
Bulma blinked slightly and looked down, nodding some, "I didn't think about that..."
"Besides," Goku spoke up, "If we did know where she was, we'd be going with Piccolo to help."
Krillin nodded and sighed softly. "I wish we did. When that guy called, he never said--"
"What guy?" Chi-Chi cut him off. Krillin blinked and covered his mouth with his hand. Everyone was looking at him now, and it seemed like everyone was angry. He looked at Goku and Vegeta appologetically, "Sorry, I forgot I wasn't supposed to tell them--"
"WHAT!?" All the women cut him off, and Krillin realized he was worse of now then he was five seconds ago.
Bulma turned to Vegeta sharply, as did Chi-Chi to Goku and 18 to Krillin; all at the same time. All the men leaned back uneasily under the angry glares. "Krillin," Vegeta hissed, "I'm going to kill you..."
Bulma stood and Vegeta looked up at her, lying back on the couch now, blinking. "And WHY did you decide not to tell us about something as important as this."
"It's not that important, Vegeta started, looking uneasy, "You don't know the story, all it is was--"
"Yeah, it's not important," Krillin confirmed, cutting Vegeta off, "Just that guy who sent us the randsome letter called Piccolo, and--"
"WHAT!?" All the girls were on their feet, leaning over the three trembling men, fists clenched. Chi-Chi cried, "I WOULD CALL THAT IMPORTANT!"
Vegeta and Goku both shot accusing looks at Krillin, who smiled nervously, "Oops."
"I am really going to kill you," Vegeta mumbled, eyebrow twitching.
~*~
Piccolo landed on the roof. He glanced down the side of the building, the neon sign hanging on the wall blinding him for an instant. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. Crowded. He mumbled and walked to the side parallel to the front. He looked down to see the dark alley behind Bob's quiet and lifeless. He jumped down and floated to his feet, landing on the gritty gravel.
Walking between the neighboring building and Bob's, Piccolo walked to the front, joining the line of customers ready to enter. As he fished in his pocket for his fake I.D., he wondered just what Vegeta had done with the 'ol coach. He remembered watching Vegeta sit him on a bar stool. So, was he still there? Piccolo had seen, on the few occasions he had visited the lovely place, unconcious drunks, as well as concious ones, tossed out in the back alley. Surely they had done the same with Titebutte.
He finally reached the door, and showed the towering black man his I.D. and, as always, passed from the neon lighting from the crowded street into the dim, dull 30-watt-bulb lighting of the bar. His green skin didn't arouse any attention from the regular attendees, but some curious glances fell upon him from the new arrivals. He ignored them all and passed directly to the bar, where behind it sat Bob, cleaning his glass. He smiled at the Namekian.
"Hey, there, how ya doing? Better than last time we talked?" He asked warmly.
"Yeah, I suppose," Piccolo lied.
"And that little act you pulled last time, that really had me going," Bob said, quietly.
Piccolo felt his muscles tense, "Act?"
"Sure, you remember," Bob said lightly, setting down the spotless glass before Piccolo, "When you fell on the floor in those spasms? While the girls behind me spiked the man's martini?"
Piccolo felt unnerved by Bob's soft smile, yet he didn't show it. His body was tensed, but other than that, his face and stance was casual and calm. He wasn't going to let on, "Girls?" He asked, perking an eyeridge curiously, "I'm sorry, but I was sort of busy having a seizure and didn't exactly get to pay attention to what was going on around me."
Bob laughed, slapping the bar top. "Ahh," He sighed contently once his laughter ended, "That's a good one, brotha'. Real good, gave me a nice laugh."
Piccolo didn't relax, "It wasn't a joke."
Bob shook his head knowingly, "Whatever you say, man. Either way, I don't mind. No real harm was done. Sure, the guy got a little supa'-buzz, but it ain't no big." Piccolo relaxed slightly, watching Bob's face. So, he wasn't in trouble then? He had been scared for a moment. He still was on the defensive, however, and said nothing in reply.
Bob motioned to the clean glass before Piccolo invitingly, "So, would you like a drink, brotha'?"
~*~
After the entire phone call had been explained, the girls sat in silence.
"And what's the worst of all," Vegeta finished, "All he said was shit about not going to the police and not saying a word to anyone. But we overheard the whole thing anyways. He didn't give a single hint of where she was or how to get her back. He just said, 'Wait, lie low, and keep quiet. Only then will I maybe start thinking about releasing her.'"
Chi-Chi frowned at the carpet. It was hard to grasp the fact that Karina was alone, trapped, somewere where no one couild help her, when only what seemed a little while ago, she had been at their side, laughing with her glowing smile...
~*~
Karina lay still. She could hear faint voices of the television. She hadn't seen the sun in an eternity. Even at night her eyes were blindfolded. Only when she was allowed to go to the bathroom, which was basically a hole in the ground in a tiny room in the corner, her blindfold was removed. As they led her to the bathroom, she could get a fruitless veiw of her surroundings. It was dark, damp, and cement everywhere. The walls, ceiling, and floor consisted of the dark, cracking gray plaster. She then was shut in the small room to do her buisness, the only privacy she was allowed. So far, however, they hadn't harmed her. She was fed regularly, of course not very good food, and was deprived of a comfortable bed, always tied. The bathroom was windowless, just as the rest of the larger exterior room, and she was sure it was underground. But where, she had no idea. Her wrists bled occasionally, from the tight, rough ropes binding her hands together. Her ankles weren't tied as often, but the marks were still visable from the times they did.
She felt numb most of the time. Her fear had left a long time ago. She had a feeling she was far far from home. They had moved her many times. Mostly in car trunks. She felt as if the world was watching, as if someone had to hav seen them deposit a human body in a car trunk, and had tried to scream out, but the gag made it just a muffled soft noise. Many times they had given her sleeping pills. She knew they did this when they were going to move her. Sometimes she would wake in a trunk only long enough to be moved to another, then would be forced to take more pills.
They never over dosed her. They never harmed her, besides the ropes. And even then, they had tended to the bleeding carefully and almost caringly. Karina never said thank you, or smiled, or showed any sign of emotion. They didn't deserve it. And she felt that if she did, they would be able to break her.
~*~
"And after he told us that, my friends heard anyways," Piccolo explained, a sly smirk clouding his already unnatural face. He had the empty glass in hand, but now it was not clean. There were traces of liquid still in it. "And I really didn't tell them, either," Piccolo said, proudly, "Ya see..." He slurred momentarily, then paused as if he forgot what he was talking about. He blinked a few times, then continued as if he had never stopped, "They gots real good ears...and theys isn't humans so that's why."
He chuckled then pushed his glass to Bob, "Another, eh?" Bob smiled and turned his back. He refilled the glass with his drink, and then took out a small bottle from his pocket, adding some of the contents to the concoction. He grinned and pocketed it again, turning back to Piccolo and handing him the glass. "Talkitive tonight, I see..."
Bob refrianed from smirking.
~*~
"Piccolo's been gone for such a long time..." Bulma announced, a look of worry on her face. "What if he's hurt?"
Goku and Vegeta exchanged glances. They hoped he wasn't doing anything stupid, although they knew he already didn't know where to start. Vegeta looked away and cast his gaze out the window. Goku looked down at his knees. He was really bored, he admitted shamefully to himself, even though he was worried about Piccolo. All they had done was sat there and talked briefly between long, thoughtful, periods of silence.
"Maybe we should stop worrying," Goku said, speaking up again, "And get our minds off him. It doesn't help."
He looked at Chi-Chi carefully, hoping she wouldn't explode at the suggestion of not to worry. Afterall, that was Chi-Chi's driving force: worry. She looked like she was about to, so he quickly added, "I mean--I'm worried about him too, but he's smart!--a lot smarter than me or Vegeta are--" At this point Vegeta shot a glare at Goku. "--He wouldn't go and do something dumb..."
His innocent eyes lifted to Chi-Chi hopefully. She hated when he did this. His eyes were just so...cute. And geniune. She breathed out of her nose in a noisy huff, closing her eyes, "Okay, Okay, I beleive you..."
"Still..." Bulma looked back out the window momentarily, frowning softly. "I'm worried. I have a bad feeling."
Vegeta lifted a brow slightly, "What do you mean?"
Bulma shrugged uncertainly. She broke her own gaze with her reflection, which she had focused on for a few seconds in the glassy mirror-like window. Moving to Vegeta, she sat down beside him, and leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder, her outer hand gripping his. He blinked a little looking down at her, and tightened the grip, softly. He kissed her forehead gently, "It'll be okay. Don't worry." Her blue eyes lifted to him, and he met her gaze, a small, reassuring smile on his lips. Bulma smiled weakly.
Goku watched them, silently. He looked at Chi-Chi, and took her hand, leading her to sit beside him, He put one arm around her, looking forward thoughtfully and recollectively. He knew Bulma having a bad feeling was pretty silly, but the truth was, he felt the same way. The tension was the same as when he had first discovered Chi-Chi gone that one night after he had sobered up at the resort. He rubbed Chi-Chi's arm gently, not looking at her, failing to see her puzzled look.
Goku sighed some, "I know you're worried, Bulma." Bulma lifted her eyes to Goku, head still rested on Vegeta's shoulder, as he continued, "Butvhe can take care of himself. I suggest we get our minds off it for now and take his advice. I'm pretty sure he just want ssome time alone."
Silence fell upon the room as Goku stopped speaking. Bulma looked thoughtful, frowning. Chi-Chi furrowed her brows in thought as well, looking at Goku. Vegeta remianed silent, as did 18 and Krillin, who sat upon another couch.
"Sounds good to me," Vegeta said, finally.
Krillin thought him rather brave, and expected one of the girls to blow up at any moment. However, the livingroom did not become ground zero, as both Chi-Chi and Bulma nodded numbly. Krillin looked to 18, who did not nod, but stood and looked back at him. He stood as well, and the others slowly did the same.
"Where should we go?" Bulma asked, trying to lighten her voice and make it sound normal. She sounded almost congested--as if all the recent mixed emotions had blocked her sinuses.
"Let's go get something to eat," Vegeta suggested, standing up after gently remcoing his shoulder from beneath Bulma's head. He took her hand and guided her to her feet, and the others followed in silent agreement.
As Goku walked out the door, he hoped by the end of the night he wouldn't feel his worry anymore. He wanted the thick uncomfortable feeling in his stomach to vanish. Though like usual, Goku's hunger ebbed away any other feeling occupying his stomach, and his mind, being almost only his stomach itself, lost thought of the worry as he now focused on food.
They cruised down the main road, trying to decide on a restraunt, the lights of the city flashing the reflection of the brilliant city lights upon the windows of Bulma's black, sleek car.
They soon decided an all-you-can eat buffet was satifying enough for everyone's tastes, not to mention the stomachs of the two saiyans. Soon the warmth of food and laughter pushed Piccolo and their worries to the backs of their minds. They all felt it, though, nawing at the back of their thoughts. Chi-Chi didn't try to hide the feeling, as others did.
Sitting by the window of the long table they were seated at, she turned her head and gazed frowning out at the stars. She spoke then, making everyone silent, the thought that had been persuaded almost completely out of their thoughts jumping out to the front row, "I hope Piccolo is okay..."