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THE KILLERS ARMS

by Ardy-Bo-Bardy

Chapter II

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Her boy. The light of his eyes appeared with all the innocence of the world. He looked at his mother that morning after. Arriving before the door with Piccolo at the horizon. The time was eight am but she wasn't mad. "I'm sorry mom. I-I will get to my studies now. I promise" Placing a hand to his head, dark hair sprang up with the folding of her arms.

"I suggest you do"

"Y-you're not mad with me?" she caught his eye for a moment, trying to find something out of place. But all was as if nothing had ever happened. Standing still, Gohan's bedroom door softly closed, remaining that way for some time to come. "No... I'm not mad Gohan"

Standing at the kitchen bench at noon. A cool breeze stroked at Chichi's hair. Merging the scents of mint, fennel, and thyme. Their aromatic hands winding her neck like a lover. With a sigh, thoughts slowly concurred like those herbal essences. She could still feel him, hear his voice whispering. Looking to the puddle of water at the base of her sink, ripples came and went, caressing one an other in symmetry. Just to be so close. Mere hours ago she had been in ache for Vegeta to leave. Hoping he would depart with the speed of a bird. But now... now it was all flooding in. Filling her ocean with things she had forgotten to want. Things she had forgotten existed. It was then that a knock came at the door. A small ratt-a-tat-tat. Chichi rarely received visitors, besides the obvious few. Peeking past the yellow kitchen curtain. She caught glance of a most oddly found creature. It's right leg stooping slightly in wake of an answer.

The light was murky in that part of the house, so Chichi hoped it dimmed her frown. Even if just a little. Peeling back the old oak door, the interloper just stood there. Eyes squinting in the noon day light. "Katie" arms folded "Gohan's studying."

"That's okay... " she paused with bare feet and sack-like clothing, "Actually to tell you the truth, it was you I wanted to talk to" It had been mere months since the two had verbally fought. This Katie person, this stupid girl, had absolutely no right to interfere in another's mothering abilities. Pure and simple. Besides how wise could a simple adolescent be. Gesturing her inside, Chichi closed the door behind her rather strange house guest.

Pouring the tea, Katie played with an orange at the table. Her back hunched over with what resembled an attempt at woe. Casting an askew glance, Chichi shook her head. From what she recalled, Katie had been on Namek-sei at the same time as Gohan and Krillian. The bratty stray attempting to steal Goku's craft, seen as her own had malfunctioned. She was an odd looking creature Chichi mused. Her skin deadly pale with angular eyes and deep red hair. However what was most notable was the girls pointy ears, much like those from a story book. Besides a few other strange quirks Katie was absolutely tiny. Chichi estimated not much taller than Krillian. Slicing into a fresh batch of raspberry square, Chichi spoke with as much frankness as deemed necessary. "What did you want to ask?" Shifting her chair slightly, the young girl chose not to answer until her mouth had been well dampened by a shot of tea, yet even then she paused.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry, for all that nonsense earlier. It was uncomfortable yesterday."

"Uh huh" Chichi nodded.

"Well, It wasn't my place to say anything about Gohan." she gave a furtive look "I was always told my mouth would be my demon" Wiping raspberry crumbs from their fingers, both women began to talk, and talk, and talked all the way into mid afternoon. It was refreshing for Chichi to speak with a new character. A person with an entirely different philosophy on life. With the hour nearing three pm, Chichi glanced at the red leaves within her cup, speckling the sides like a beetles back.

"I can read them if you like" Katie motioned.

"My tea leaves?" Chichi attempted not to challenge her guest's sincerity, or whatever ruse she was attempting to conduct. So without a thought the cup was passed across the table, being considered an amusing ploy.

"Cheers" she smiled "I did this for that guy Yamcha not long ago... he seemed skeptical though" Katie smiled with something other than naiveté. Although she appeared somewhat uneducated, this young woman rather unexpectedly possessed a fairly developed outlook. Holding the dainty tea cup between her hands, Katie bent her head. Watching with little interest, Chichi's attention dwelled apathetically toward the young girls tiny nails, she bit them. Fortune telling, gypsies, hoop earrings and beauty spots. Chichi did not so much believe in these things as perhaps Bulma. It seemed like futile nonsense to her. Titling the china cup Katie chewed the inside of her lip with concentration, where unexpectedly as Chichi waited, the maiden's brow began to ripple. A peak of anguish rising between both foreign eyes.

"I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry I have to go" She dropped the cup clumsily, its shell hitting the floor like a scream. Waving about Katie's red sweater Chichi yelled from the door, yet the girl didn't once look back.

ONE YEAR EARLIER;

"Foreigner" A giant chest loomed, to sit well above Katie's eye line. Smiling through a thick black beard, Hannor patted his gigantic round belly. "Still scrawny a'everI see. We nee' ta get some meat on tem' bones o'yers" He lifted the girl high into the air with thick timbre and laughter. Placing a hard kiss upon each cheek, she was lowered back to the tiles. Katie had known Hannor for many years, the old man was a Noratas technician based at one of the many interstellar Noratas colonies that dotted the surrounding galaxy.

"Hannor. Good to see you, you well?"

"Bah o' course" he replied like brute.

"Glad to hear it. You weren't last time I visited." Glancing about his mountain of a body the young woman distanced herself "I am only here for the moment. Just to visit with Nappa and Vegeta. Do you know where they are? Not on retrieval I hope." Rubbing his chin. A sound of course hair scrapped beneath dexterous fingers.

"I t'ink I 'eard t'a Vegeta was in t'a infirmary" he shrugged "No' sure, jus' go an' take a peek. T'ey shouldna' be far off." Smiling at the old brick wall the two parted company. Katie's relationship with Nappa and Vegeta had been a long and arduous one. They had meet at an intergalactic space port, Vegeta's craft being in need of some desperate repairs.

Harlen-Eight, set almost three thousand kilometers off Harlen-sei, was an intergalactic port and trade colony. That is to say a gigantic array of joint crafts and vessels. At the time in question Katie happened to be in the south quadrant. She would be hard pressed to tell you exactly what she was looking for. Yet if ever you are on Harlen-Eight, it is most certain that you are looking to snaffle a deal. The south side pub 'Lockshore' was definitely a place to be reckoned with. With spikes down their limbs, and skin scaled or not. Strippers beckoned for criminal earnings. Katie had been in flight for more over two months, so any company was better than her own.

Sitting at table five, smoke swirled about like a protective cloud. In a strange way, it was comforting. Pivoting the tumbler in her hand, Goshu sloshed with sweet donchees bobbing up and down. To the left of her sat four Oumea-jins. Their snake like eyes attached to elongated faces. Where as to the right were three Noratas employees with faces not too far from her own. One had hair down his back, one with hair like a flame, and the other had no hair at all. They appeared to be arguing. Tossing a couple of chips upon the table. Katie stubbed out her cigarette in a weary manner. She didn't make a habit of sitting in strip pallor's, yet it was near impossible to find a respectable low key pub on Harlen-Eight.

"Two weeks! It's a blasted five-nine injector!" Glancing over her shoulder, Katie watched as the littler Noratas employee, sat before a N.T.A (Noratas Trade Agreements) communicator. Five-nine she thought, she happened to have one. It was second cycle and may not have functioned as well as it might. But it did work. Removing the hood from her head, Katie approached the man's rickety table, where at present his two companions had merged upon the bar. Placing down her bag, she coughed in obvious gesture.

"And who are you?" He continued to type upon his communication panel.

"Katie Wilks" she introduced "And I couldn't help over hearing that you're in a bit of a fix."

"Well that's my business" Terminating the program, his chair swiveled in her direction. "What are you offering woman?"

"Two hundred and fifty chips." she announced "The five-nine is second cycle so just be glad it's not three-hundred" Laughing quite out loud, he slapped his thigh

"How amusing... I think it will be One-hundred and fifty or nothing" she was lucky he was willing to offer anything. Noratas space-pods were under mass contract by the N.T.A. These chips would most certainly come straight from his own pocket. She knew she should have turned and left, calling him a swindling fool yet... she didn't. Smiling to the alcoholic blush across his cheeks. The young dockie wrote her identification number on the back of a costar.

"Be there in two hours Mr. ah?"

"Prince Vegeta." he retorted.

"Oh Prince" she gave a mocking smile "Well Mr. Prince Vegeta, be there or I will presume you didn't want it" sliding the card across the table, she discreetly took note to his brown furry tail. "Humph, I didn't think there were any of you left"

"And who are they" he poured her a gin.

"Saiya-jins of course."

"Best of the best" he leaned forward "Katie Wilks"

Watching both boots scuff the tiles, Katie smiled to the old memory, it was easier then. Breaking her thoughts a firm hand tapped upon her shoulder. With teeth like pearl and hair too match, the young man induced a wince. "Canna' find the runt eh?" Jeice laughed like he had been clever. Sneering, Katie adjusted her bag.

"No I found you. But if you know where Vegeta is that'd help" Strolling along toward sector eleven, Jiece prattled on about pointless things. Things she had no interest in.

"Capin' Ginyu..." he announced "Look what the cat's dragged in" Turning around the huge man lowered his eyes in obvious distain, before ultimately exiting the room. Cocking a wry grin Jeice laughed out loud, before waltzing back down the hall with pomposity in every stride. Presently Katie stood in the recovery area of sector eleven. The large pale room, circular and supplying ten patients with individual quarters. At the far end of the area sat two Rejuvenation tanks, also know as Ren-gen tanks. One was presently in use. Lifting her satchel from the floor Katie swiftly turned back toward the exit. Beginning to agree that Vegeta and Nappa definitely were on retrieval, yet to that very thought she caught a curious sight. Peeking through the small porthole to room 'A2'. She spied Vegeta and a very anxious Dr. Malaka. With a glance in approval, the beaked creature signaled her entry. With a worn baggy sweater, waterproof slacks and oversized boots, Vegeta's eyes swept her like a broom before turning back to his task in disapproval.

"Dr Malaka" Katie walked over to the creature "What's that you have?"

"This my dear... this is the armor young Vegeta arrived in," she nodded to his words, though not really interested. Proceeding to listen on politely, Katie pulled a smoke from her pouch. Flaring it up with a deep and refreshing breath.

"Katie. You shouldn't smoke that child, bad for you" Dr Malaka placed the armor down.

"Everything's bad for you these days" she smirked. It was pleasing to be back amongst people she had known for more over ten minutes. Face to a name and all that rot. Continuing to quietly chat away with the old codger, she ignored the movement as Vegeta grabbed her bag from the floor. Exiting the room without as much as a word.

The employee quarters upon Bordoc-sei were modest in the least. Vegeta's was in sector four, level C. It sported a hard single bed, closet and various other items, which Katie found highly depressing. As she entered Vegeta was presently mucking around with something on the dresser. Glancing to the bed her bag lay open, with a few random items pulled out. She did not have much in common with Vegeta. In fact you couldn't find two people more unsuited. But for a good many years they had known one and other. Leaning over his shoulder, Katie studied the quick and italic writing that he scrawled.

"I, Prince Vegeta, ID number four-nine-seven-one..." she read aloud "Wish to terminate my contract in the period of cycle six-four-nine, forfeiting all benif-..."

"Stop that" he shrugged her back.

"Stupid... you can't just leave? My dad tried that." she sat upon the bed. "N.T.A won't let you."

"Don't tell me what I can or cannot do." he scolded "I am sick to death of this place. Besides I have more important business at hand"

"Oh?" she exaggerated "And what's that?"

"Hmph, it's my business." He folded the form.

"Whatever, I noticed your tail or lack there of... what happened?" failing in his response, Katie continued "So where's Nappa?" Pulling out another smoke she awaited an answer. "Well?"

"...Killed" he stated frankly "Stupid idiot was weaker than I thought" Widening her eyes, smoke hovered about them like a large inflicted halo.

"You okay" she flicked ash to the floor. Casting an annoyed glance, he only gestured her not to do it. Sitting down, the bed sank from his weight. "Like my hair, an old lady from Harlan plated it all. Took ages." He didn't need to reply. "Well at least I'm trying new things Vegeta." she crossed her legs "Well. Did you find Kakarott?"

"What? Yes, yes I found that blasted idiot." He frowned.

"Did he kill Nappa?" casting a wry look, a hand wandered her neck.

"Yes... " The pair had never been completely intimate, due to their present situation. Katie's native religion, had it put that both men and woman were not to engage in full intercourse until their bodies had reached full maturity of thirty years, Katie was presently twenty eight. The coupling of two bodies was at the root of every civilisation, it was an act to be marvled. To the Furra-jins, your body was your most sacred possession, it was to be treated with respect and care, thus showing respect and appreciation to what you have been granted in life.

Removing his gloves and chest plate, Vegeta wound her face. Their mouths hot and au courant, it was a blanket of familiarity. Just to be so close. Trailing the reach of her. He licked the skin between Katie's collar bones. Grunting as she cupped his groin, she loved the sound of his voice. It was one of the few times Vegeta ever appeared complacent. Leaning closer, masculine skin smelt like ren-gen fluid. A saccharine flavor with an acrylic after taste. Through his blue suit Katie massaged Vegeta's royal genitalia, a flush sweeping with overdue vengeance. As per usual it was not long before that blue suit was scrunched about his hips. The prince's elbows leaning backward, as his counterpart went down lovingly.

That night as Katie slept Vegeta sealed his space pod, with little intent to return. Upon the gray dresser lay an embossed yellow envelope with K.W scribbled across its front. She knew what it said even before looking. Removing the red seal a small white note was pulled from its gut, the letter read:

I have gone to Namek-sei to find the dragonballs, to take back what is mine. Do not follow me woman, stay away from Namek-sei. If you come, I will kill you myself!

Sincerely Prince Vegeta.

Screwing up the letter, anger and worry became a mixture of something worse. He would die. In Vegeta's case one should never underestimate the power of denial. He was a prince and the last son, yet that did not make him better than all those before. It was cruel of her to doubt his strength, but she had seen him kneeling at Frezia's feet to many times before. It was more power than he would ever know. She only wished he would know it soon.

THE PRESENT;

"Gohan, put some shoes on" Chichi emptied the larger pieces of china into the trash can.

"Shoes, why?" He puzzled, frisking the fruit bowl.

"Katie dropped her cup, there's bits of china everywhere."

"Katie was here?"

"Gohan? She's been here for more over three hours?" she hugged her hips "Just where have you been?"

"No where mom" he readily gestured. "Studying hard... that's all"

"Really..." Pulling back the kitchen chair, Chichi slumped down, her mind was in any place but home, what did it all matter. Sighing to the sound of Gohan closing the cutlery draw, the days previous events flooded back."Gohan, that friend of yours turned out to be not so bad" she glanced ahead "I would never haveguessed talking to her that she was so young" Upon slicing his apple, Gohan looked at his mother in the strangest way.

"I don't think so mom." the young boy paused "She's married to Vegeta. It's weird, she's so nice." Gripping the ridge of the old mahogany table, Chichi stood rather confused.

"Wife?" she gestured sharply "I think you mean friend honey. She never ment..." Chichi rubbed her brow. This wasn't meant to be. She was supposed to be a kid, a child, an immature brat. Breaking to the living room, the door was readily closed.

Sitting upon the sofa, her thumb nail became shorter and shorter. She saw it, Katie knew. Though Chichi wished to doubt her every suspicion, those eyes remained. At present the light was low, for dusk was fast approaching. Closing both eyes, Chichi imagined him sitting on a guest bed at Capsule Corp. Passing a lone finger across those fine set lips. Butterflies and wild horses simply swept the course of her. Just to feel his mouth again. Covering her face swells of ache crushed at her from the inside. Clawing through her veins, where normality swam. Staring to the wall where they fondled. Tears for took her knees with struggling lungs.

Why did she care whether Katie touched him, lying together arm in arm, whispering sweet nothings. It was all just a carnival ride, always to have the same appraisal. Closing the curtains her hands smelt of body salt. Ten bitten nails wringing yellow cotton hatefully. Goku was her husband and she loved him, had for more over ten years. So who was this Prince, this cutthroat, royal blade and brawler? Kicking the coffee table, Chichi sent her cheap imitation pottery flying.

"Ow, Dammit..." she shrunk down." You idiot!"

Glancing over the clock on the wall, it read, ten-twenty am. Gohan had already knocked at his mother's door three times that morning. 'Mom, you alright?' she didn't answer him, but only hugged her bed clothes closer. The windowpane showed its faults in the forenoon light. Like the lines on an old women's face. Benign stories of life, more appreciated when beside the eyes than upon the brow. Biting at Goku's blue and white pillow, her skin chinked and shifted. Their bed was not as big as many couples. But as of now it felt huge. Rolling to her husband's side, she pushed her lips into the seam break. There was no scent of him at all. The aroma washed away with lemon and pine.

Staring into the wall, her eyes drifted to the gathering of cotton and wood before her. It was very tattered about the edges. The corner only just poking out from beneath the duchess. Tracing fine decoration she smiled to the intricacy of it. The card was quite beautiful, embodied with what appeared to be a precious gold mesh. It must have been Vegeta's she thought, slipping from his pocket perhaps. Leaning against the wall she read aloud the words it possessed

'Juna seca de.'

It made absolutely no sense. The dialect was not even slightly familiar. Rotating the note more than once. She studied it from every angel, imagining Vegeta searching his pockets like a fox. Turning his guest room upside down for this mere item of home. A keepsake perhaps, though that did seem out of his nature. Pressing the piece of card beneath her nose. An array of scents sprinted her senses. Sugary vanilla, like fluffy white milkshakes at the market. Keen fennel, taking Chichi back to blush-rose aniseed wheels. Mellow musk, her eyes squinted, the scent of a paramour.

It was almost noon before Chichi exited her room. Soft mummers traveling up the hallway. Pushing the hair from her eyes, it lay long upon both shoulders. She did not know what was wrong with her head. Wondering if anyone would notice ten bitten nails and unkempt clothing. Three faces swung about the kitchen, as she entered. Rising to both feet Gohan came ahead. He looked worried, it wasn't the type face for child, especially her own. Unfolding both arms, Bulma placed her hands upon Yamcha's shoulders. He appeared more puzzled than anything. Sitting at the table in his common red gi. It would have been easier to cry and scream. Kicking them both from her house. If only to keep her alias of 'Son Chichi the debaucher' between two.

"Chichi, we were beginning to think you were going to stay in there all day" Bulma walked around the table "Feeling better now? What was it, a bug?" Lifting her eyes Chichi starred at Bulma for the longest time.

"Yes... a bug"

TO BE CONTINUED...