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THE KILLERS ARMS

By Ardy-Bo-Bardy

Chapter III

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Capsule Corp. was awfully quite the following day. The Namek-jins gone for good. Chichi did not attend the summoning of the dragon yet Gohan said it was very sad and indeed came home quite upset. Walking the cobble stone path, bees played like a nature's philharmonic where everything smelt like honey. It reminded her of the gardens from when she was a child. Agapanthus and snow drops blooming with natural brilliance. Pulling Vegeta's note from her pocket.The gold mesh glittered in the morning light. It was rare that no one would be home. Setting her bag upon the living room coffee table she considered leaving the note where Vegeta might find it. Just beneath the fruit bowl, and yet it remained in her purse. The time waspresently nine am and Chichi knew that at least somebody was home, for ahalf eaten bowl of cereal sat coldly beside the couch. As of yet she had not really even thought of what to say to Vegeta. She hardly knew the man. What if began to shout, what if he really meant what he said...

"You" I voice swept the room. Bouncing off the walls to slap Chichi straight in the face. Tensing her shoulders, the tone appeared rather different in comparison to the last time she'd heard it. Positioned in the door way, with eyes dull and clean from makeup, Katie clenched her jaw. The now known middle aged woman, far more perceptive than some bratty stray. All in all she looked a complete wreak. Both eyes sharp and narrow, with hair messy and loose. Chichi felt quite sick in those few moments. Spinning the wedding ring around her finger, she stuttered with a lack of confidence.

"Katie I-I was just coming by to see Bulma, have you seen her?" Glancing upward,Chichi swallowed hard. The ball of guilt going down like a boulder, silent and struck like roadkill. With a screech, Katie lunged her juice glass across the room. Pulp, liquid and glass hitting the wall with barely a half of the anger she felt

"I should've never come here" Katie gulped "How dare you!"

"I-I..." Chichi stopped "I don't know what your talking ab..."

"Don't lie! He told me, he told me everything! I knew there was something different about him, he... he..." With a sob, Katiespun her way from the living room, galloping up the stairs to slam the top door closed. Collapsing upon her bed she screamed into her pillow, screamed with all the years she'd wasted.

Some miles away, standing at the brink of the woods, Vegeta watched the Son household like a predatory cat. His body felt light and chest constricted. But he didn't go, past all the reasoning and bitter thoughts he didn't go. Dark shapes enveloped the abode and gardens, patterns winding and fading, as clouds raced across the sun. Stepping out, sunlight burst through the branches to catch the white inhis eyes, exposed. "What do you want brat?"

"I live here" Gohan announced the moment he hit the lawn. "Dad hasn't come back yet. He's st-"

"I know that!" Vegeta snapped. "For future reference, I wanted to see what kind of a place your asinine father called home." His voice went raspy near the end "And I was right, it is a dump." Clenching both fists Vegeta tore toward the fading horizon, where the blue was a little lighter and sun at it's lowest. Even then, he had no idea where he was going.

Burying herself into the covers Katie's body burned with rage, cheeks wet from sweat and tears. She hated everything, the house, the walls, the carpet, the sound of Mrs. Briefs high heels. But mostly she hated her. Rolling upon her back, Katie looked to the strangely patterned ceiling. She missed the hull of her ship. The scent of its ill oiled body and rusty wounds, the sanctity of space. Sitting upward the young woman wept in a woeful light, for she hadn't the heart to open the blinds. Placed at the purple dresser, with swirls engraved. She studied herself like a muddy puddle, still rippling so soon after the hurricane.

Two days ago, Katie had returned to Capsule Corp with a heavy head and sickened stomach. Digging down, she repeated over and over again what had flashed through that china cup. Panting, thrusting, kissing and... Ecstasy. Joy, which he had enjoyed with her. It was easier to believe that with sweet madness he may have touched her. She felt comfort in that. Vegeta was her quilt, each thread had itsstory. A piece of something that reminded Katie of anything but loneliness. Her head was battling with her heart, everything inside out. How could he blunder seven years for a moment? Bulma had been in the opposite chair for quite a while by that point. Reading some brightly coloured magazine. She glanced at Katie every few moments, brow rippled in bafflement. The pair didn't know one and other very well, in all honesty neither really wanted want to. The living room was dim but for the reading lamp and television. Focusing upon a poorly hosted dating show, cheers and cries erupted as two contestants kissed with so much to learn. Throwing a cushion into a neighboring chair, Katie announced her retirement. Bulma, as expected, did not argue.

Setting herself at the purple duchess, Katie glanced into the looking glass. Barley seeing herself. Softly and like a rhythmic wave, his shoulder rose and fell beneath the covers. Saiya-jin hair racing the pillow like an impassioned breath. Illuminating her surroundings for just a moment, tobacco smoke became her blanket. The air was cool yet promptly fell tepid as her cigarette burned. Pulling the first tie away, Katie's braids began to coil downward. One after the other they broke free. Like little insects from their perfectly formed chrysalises. Vegeta often compared Katie to a dead woman. Skin as white as snow, alike the clouds that bore them. The body of a skeleton and ears as sharp as teeth. She winced to the utopian look upon his face, he had never looked happier. In all her years she had never seen that expression. "Idiot" her voiced hissed as a silhouette descended over her, masculine fingers etching themselves into thetrace of so many years.

"You should get that removed woman" Vegeta pronounced with dexterity and elegance. "Are you coming to bed or not?" No comment about anything. Not even a 'would you stop whimpering' Lifting her head Katie looked to his face in the mirror. Grim and cold. Turning with the swoop of a swan her belly tightened.

"Liar" Lunging forward with the ache of unsatisfactory dealings. She struck him clear across the face, staining that beige cheek ideally. With so much anger and affliction she beat him. The sturdy antelope falling on its back with a grunt and scramble. "I hate you!" lungs ripped. The room was smaller now, closing inward. The walls reaching out like thoughtless jesters. Acid lurched in her stomach, and limbs shook with adrenalin. She'd been so afraid of changing - she'd built her damn life around him. Digging down, Katie gripped at his body with something indescribable. The affection for a familiar creature, the throb in your heart as it leapt into your throat. No words came, for only to throw the pain away. Closing her eyes a blanket enwrapped. The coolness of its interior, contray the fervor of his hand.

"Is that done with?" Lifting her head, she looked at him for the longest time. Deep into the darkness of those words. There was always some reason to feel not good enough. To feel less than adequate for him. She needed some destruction for already the memories were beginning to seep through.

"Why her?" Rippling his brow Vegeta rolled over. "Did you get in a good few hours worth" Hearing his lungs fill, Katie closed her eyes. "I did everything you ever wanted! You think I liked being attached to a Noratas employee!" she struck him as he rose "Dad was bad enough!"

"Shut up!" he gathered at blankets "It's been seven blasted years!"

"I can't give it up" She stabbed at her chest "How can you expect me to give it up! I would never be forgiven!"

"If you gave a damn you would!" he rasped, "It's a load of lies!"

"Don't you dare!" she gathered at her head "I have every desire you do Vegeta, don't you dare tell me otherwise."

"You're a blasted hypocrite! You're always telling me to try new things!" biceps clenched "It was relief" Staring with her mouth cold and body numb she could not even begin to comprehend what he was saying.

"I am not going to stay here for this, I know what's right. I'm going to the guest room. You can do whatever you want to whoever you want... be dammed!" Forming a scruffy silhouette in the door way, Katie glared across at him. "What will Kakarott do when he returns?" To this he didn't say a word. "What will he do when I tell him?"

Gazing out the glass with a head of new memories, Goku studied the face of the moon as he passed. It's mottled surface lined with the creases of age. Gathering at the material atop his thighs a wave of anticipation stormed till almost completely overwhelming. His son, his wife, his friends he had so much to tell them, so much that he wished to explain, so much that he himself did not understand.

That morning Bulma watched as Vegeta entered the room. Staring over her juice glass she noticed his movements, slow and some what lumbered. He paused beside the table, tilting his head as if a thought was about to enter. He looked wrong. "What's up with you? I've never seen you so quiet." ignoring her, Vegeta rubbed at his face before exiting the house. She was insignificant within his day. The sun burned into his skin out in the garden, clawing at him to just give up. Kakarott was out there somewhere, laughing like the clown he was. Falling back against the wooden fence, wavering shadows engulfed the daisies that lay crushed about his boots. He could hear children in the distance, laughing on their way home from school.

"He stole it" the young man muttered to the cat at his right. The feline soft and frail with its small blue eyes holding that same glow of affection. Noting the rise in its back and hum in its chest, Vegeta gathered at his hand. "Scat!" moving back into the light, he sighed, his father couldn't see him in the dark.

Out in the openness of surroundings fields Chichi urged her son to swim. Resting within the grass she stared up into the sky, mountains ripping their way into the stratosphere. Studying her son absently, he burst through the cool water not too far ahead. She saw great things in him, great beginnings of a marvellous mind. She knew she was often too hard on the boy, forcing him to be adult when all he wanted was to onlybe a child. It all stemmed back to Goku she supposed, she wanted better for her son, she wanted better for their family, she wanted better for them both. In every area the birds were singing, the young woman of Mt. Pan smiling to the thought of things falling back in order. Somehow she knew Goku was on his way home, deep inside she could feel her husbands heart, shoulders tightening with the want for his laugh. Fingers hooked for just the sound of his chair scraping back.

"Vegeta?" The name didn't register at first, it was more the fact that someone had spoken. Opening her eyes, Chichi tossed a look over her shoulder. Amongst the brambles of a neighbouring tree, lush with summer foliage, there he stood. Gathering at the seam to her red dress the dark eyed woman furiously rose. She didn't know what to say, how to be, her son was coming and she couldn't say a word.

"Mom..." Gohan stopped "We don't have to stay h-"

"What do you want?" the woman sternly interjected. Remaining within the shade Vegeta held his silence. He couldn't answer, not while her brat was within earshot. Grabbing at her sons wrist, Chichi tugged Gohan toward the direction of their house. She could feel him watching, studying her movements. Passing into the wood, she slowled down.

"Mom?" Gohan broke "Mom Vegeta won't hurt us."

"I-I know baby..." she replied. "I know." Vegeta cussed at himself. He felt ridiculous, his head cloudy and ambitions lacking in motivation. Blast it, he thought,would someone just crush the woman!

"No thanks" Katie looked up from the sofa. Placing the biscuits back upon the coffee table, Bulma re-entered the kitchen. Presently it was twelve pm with not a cloud in the sky, but to Katie's disadvantage she had difficulty with the atmosphere of Earth. The intensity of the sun was far greater than those of planets she was accustomed to. Glancing at the two men to her left, Katie sent her attention back toward the television. They didn't like Vegeta and made no mistake in displaying so. One of the men she knew as Yamcha, the other she wasn't quite so sure. Through the window fingers trailed the Earth, endlessly going onward. The walls were thicker now, bearing down as if to infect those below with human emotion, white paint licking at her eyes. It was so much simpler then, god... the space of it on and on, reaching for an end never found or yet contemplated. How could she structure herself, how could she be herself, without that?

"Where's Vegeta?" a voice cut in. Shifting her line of sight, Yamcha restated the question. "Is he here?"

"No." Katie grit "We're not attached at the hip you know." Touching at her temple, names and places talked inside her head, memories of better days. Forcing back what she might say or do the young Furra-jin rose from her seat. "I-I'm sorry..." she balled her fist. "I..." looking across at one and other Krillian and Yamcha shrugged with little understanding.

Exiting via the back door, Katie rested in what little shade the house created. Out across the garden, flowers swayed against the wind. A high wooden fence separating the area from the main corporation complex. Pressing her head back against the lattice, voices continued to sweep out from the house, nipping at her heels with simple problems and structured hours. She was starting to lose who she was, becoming something less... the worse thing was, she knew it.

"You're a coward." Pausing behind the fence, Vegeta caught the red of her hair.

"Hmph, then what does that make you?"

"Someone who wants it back. To get the heck out of here." wet breath erupted. "I wish I'd never gone to that stupid planet. I would still be in my ship, be living my life... just how I wanted it. I don't even know why I went, to talk you out of it perhaps... I dunno, guess a busted engine was the last thing I expected" she paused for an extended amount of time "...what I really wanna know is why we're here, we could've stolen that ship when we first arrived." she heard him adjust his position. "Vegeta?"

"What?"

"You didn't even know her then." releasing a feral breath, anger leaked into his reply.

"You know why!" he exclaimed "He knows how to do it, the idiot... that idiot"

"Vegeta..." Katie touched her brow "We could've come back, we could've met him later... this planet, it doesn't agree" she scratched at the wood. "I don't know how much more I can stand!"

"Go then" he rasped "take the ship and go... to Horcheque-sei, to Grisham."

"What, Grisham? I've not se..."

"You don't belong here" he flatly interjected.

"And you do?" the fence shook from impact. "No. Look, you are very good at stringing people along Vegeta. But if you have something to say just say it!" staring through a gap in the planks, she watched his body shift from sight. The sound of his boots like a bloody hammer against her skin. That was it, that was their moment, when seven years would become something to regret.

"Yeah!" Katie screamed over the engines. "They may stop at Gawdo though, they could be a way off!" Gesturing with a flick of his chin, the man known as Beck Grisham merged upon the main ticket office. The lights were bright and intrusive, green benches lining the expansive white walls officially. To their right hummed a long line of Horcheque-jin tellers, processing anything from applications for residency to mere trade permits, anything was feasible upon the poor-mans oasis.

Established as an independent colony in the year 2195, Horcheque-sei had quickly become a paradise for dockies and soliders alike, trade and entertainment literally bursting from its seams. The western galaxy was made up by seven planets in total; Furra-sei, Horcheque-sei, Namek-sei, Whaka-sei, Arlia-sei, Cristala-sei and Turgott-sei. These planets, bar two, were an elect group of the ITA or interplanetary trade act, established in 2200 by Furra-sei. This agreement had been unanimously passed to insure that import and export prices of surrounding planets remained invariable. It was common place that entire populations relied upon neighbouring colonies for fundamental food and medical products, the 'twin incident' of 2189 a key example to this very fact.

'The twin' had been an act of joint abuse executed by Arlia-sei and Whaka-sei, both planets two of the only known manufacturers of Lycozine in the third galaxy. Lycozine was a central component in the production of Broca (Brocatine), a solidified organic matter necessary to the reconstruction of impaired biotic-mass. During the 'twin incident' researchers of closely lying planets worked feverishly to construct a suitable replica. It took three gruelling months, but once the aptly titled Proxy-AW2 hit the market, 'the twin' crashed within hours. Arlia-sei and Whaka-sei abruptly prohibited from any involvement or input with the outer lying governments, both planets remaining in exile until their isolated destruction in late 2209.

So, you're a Noratas employee and within the third galaxy or more preciously on route for Horcheque-sei or Gawdo the immediate moon. Hence, Beck Grisham was the man with whom you were acquainted. It was Beck's duty to see that your needs were fully accommodated to, for a good profile was a low profile. Beck had known Katie for many infrequent years, yet never failed to be intrigued by her. Alike Katie, this young man was a native of Furra-sei. Compared to the female species, a male Furra-jin was a completely different matter. They were predominantly tall and robust in nature, their fingers fine and dextrous, a cleaver disguise for such power. The most obvious trait to a mature Furra-jin, was of course the appearance of deep scarlet along their hairline. However like most things, this colour would fade over time, till disappearing almost entirely.

"You still with that Saiya-jin..." Katie swung a glance at the white haired man, failing in her response he continued "I mean, it's not common that an outsider would go out of their way to help people like that... you on probation or something?" Processing the question with a silent sneer, Katie proceeded along toward the entrance of Sanco, Horcheque-sei's chief city and trade centre. Pausing before the cybernetic doors, she slowly cleared her throat.

"So you wanna know why I help them? People like that."

"I didn't mean offence" he touched his chest.

"Hmph... we're equal partners, you and I. It's neither here nor there." In a blast, voices, faces, music, smells and colours swept in from the ground to the sky. A sight where giant buildings stared down with watchful windows, like those of a principle eye. Gritting into the stone path way, Beck swept an arm over the scene that was Horcheque-sei's primary town square.

"Welcome to Sanco!"

"You always said tha... I never believed you!" she exclaimed "I never imagined it would be so big, there's so many people!" Folding his arms, Beck's saggy blue sleeves hung down for a breeze to slid along his wrist. He liked to see her happy, he liked the sound of her voice, god he had always liked her.

"I'll show you to your hotel, it's on the river bank. It's a place for people like yourself, like those you accompany yourself with."

"What's it called?"

"Anonymity"

Gazing within his crystal glass, Beck enjoyed the green of her dress. His stomach pulling to the sight of her skin raw against the red of her hair. The restaurant was quiet, the light lowly set as the pair occupied a table at the far end. Adjusting the thin strap to her gown, Katie crossed her legs. The wine was flowing and conversation thick with history. Loosening his tie, Beck's white hair lay gathered at his back; napkins ripped and food half devoured, it was eleven pm.

"Are you enjoying your desert?"

"I haven't had Frucan since I was kid." Katie smiled across the table.

"Hum, do you miss her?"

"It's been too many years, but yeah... I think I do."

"I haven't seen mine in at least fifteen" Beck disregarded his half eaten cake. "I don't think they ever forgave me... "

"Why'd you run?"

"Why wouldn't I, I couldn't work for them. Your father..." he paused in length. "He was a well respected man, but... he should've stopped."

"I don't think we should talk about my father." Katie placed a helping of Frucan within her mouth. Glancing off toward a small gathering at their right, Beck leaned into the table.

"Things are only going to get worse... "

"Hmph, why help them then, why do what you do?"

"To keep the peace" he shrugged "To make an attempt at harmony"

"You've always confused me."

"You intrigue me" the light played across her shoulders "Why do you amuse him?"

"Please."

"You could have a life here, instead of some pack horse for a dying breed. They can't love, it's not in their nature..." he pinched at her fingers "I've always cared for you. You belong with your own people... and besides, Sanco is a beautiful city" sliding from reach the woman dressed in green stood up with a bout of regret.

"I'm sorry Beck, it was a lovely dinner" she grasped at her purse "I-I'll return the dress to you in the morning, It was nice gift but I can't... Good ni-"

"Stop this" he interjected "You'll end up chained to that monkey for the rest of your life... how can you socialise with that, their lackeys Katie, murderous lackeys!"

"Lower your voice." she snapped. "Say all you like, it doesn't change things... Goodnight Beck" he attempted at her wrist "Good night!"

Her hotel suite on the twenty-third floor was pale in decor, yet wide and spacious to ones skin. Pulling across the expansive balcony doors a cool breeze licked at her spine, where out below buzzed the lives of a city gone mad. Each story intertwining with the next, she wanted to known them, be known, be expected. Resting her arms upon the railing, traffic streamed over head. The engines humming in such a way that for the moment; she felt not quite so alone. Tapping the ash from her cigarette, smoke struggled to remain in the wind. Her father Rodger D Wilks, he had been fighting the bad fight for as long as she could remember.

Very few Furra-jins were employed by the NTA, most had a reaction similar to that of Beck , but Rodger could not run. His wife Sheryl had passed away some time after the birth of their daughter, a mere month into their child's life. At that point in time Roger's sister, Beth, had been relying heavily upon her brother for rehabilitation due to an aircraft accident earlier that year. With a combination of bad choices and over whelming debt Rodger was desperate, which was precisely when the hawks flew in, instructing him to serve Lord Frezia for no less than two years, that was twenty eight years ago.

Katie barley knew him, he had become a ghost of a man who had done all he could. A man who was dead inside, a shell for bad memories and a home for regret. Flicking out her fingers, Katie's cigarette dove over the balcony railing, screaming to its death on the courtyard below. Turning back her head a powerful man closed the door on entry, still to make her nervous, for all things considered it had only been three months.

"The switch is to your right" she stated past the curtains that whipped against the glass, where in a crude burst of light a glimpse of armour shot through, displaying a colour she'd rather not remark. "How was your trip to Whaka-sei.." Casting a brief glance in acknowledgment, Vegeta began toward the bathroom.

"Fine." she heard the tap run "They got the message."

"What message?"

"The message," he dried his face "Who cares what one." Seating herself upon the puffy white sofa, Vegeta threw his chest plate to the floor. She watched him intently from her position, the small bulbs above catching what little brown lay in his hair. Gathering at her nightdress, both feet were tucked up onto the sofa. The room becoming warm as curiosity for conversation rose.

"Where are your colleagues?"

"I don't know, it's not my business to baby sit the pair." Pushing the hair from her neck, a knot of nervous anticipation growled within. They had only meet with one and other an estimated four times, this being their fifth, yet tonight would be their first night. So alike anyone, they attempted a stab at breaking the tension. He told her about the surrounding galaxies and his life within Royal Vegeta-sei. She told him about the habits of a nomadic trader and the strict rulings of her race. The sky was glowing and conversation thick with new beginnings. Sitting within a city that hummed like a heart, silence pulled at the structure of it all, ache for touch tugging harder. Smirking to the inappropriateness of her, Vegeta leaned in to place a kiss against the young woman's jaw. Lingering; with the fear that he may not retain the confidence. "Hmph..." he rose his eyes "Damn marvellous"

That night on Earth, as the sky opened up Vegeta failed in his return to Capsule Corp. Standing out in the rain at ten pm, he grasped at handle to the Son's front entrance. The windows were warm with light, smoke erupting from the chimney atop the odd shaped roof. Pushing open the door it creaked with a lack of lustre, scents playing through the air like children. Resting a hand upon the wooden table, Vegeta ran his eyes across the walls. They were cream in colour and awfully misshapen in parts. At the door hung a small bouquet of dried flowers, the purple item producing a rather sickly odour. With a shriek a small tea pot whistled out from upon the coal range, inducing an undesired flinch on Vegeta's behalf. Gritting his teeth the room suddenly became all the more cluttered with stupid little things, annoying shapes and colours, he shouldn't have been there.

"What the heck are you doing?" a voice shot in from his left. Removing the coat from her back, Chichi placed it upon its hook. Indeed he had alarmed her, but by god if she was going to display the fact. Holding a hand against the door, Chichi struggled for eye contact with her unwanted guest. The man appeared different, as if he now possessed emotion, it was leaking from his eyes. "I'll give you to the count of five." Vegeta held his position. "One..." she began "Two..."

"You're not angry" he shifted from the table. "In fact I think you're even a lit..."

"I had tea with your wife" she interrupted "Vegeta, I'm very angry"

"What?" he inquired blankly. "She's not my wife you idiot. That woman is jus..."

"Leave!" she interrupted a second time "Gohan's down the hall, I don't want him involved in this." sneering slightly the stocky man dressed in black gave a huff.

"Nobodies involved." he paused. "Look woman, I believe you have something of mine, a letter." reducing her eyes only slightly a swell of realisation hit. The letter, the gold mesh bound with sensations, feeling a pang of stupidity race along her spine the dark haired woman released her clutch of the door.

"Hm." she lowered her voice "Couldn't you just call like a normal person" removing his eyes from hers, Vegeta dropped a shoulder.

"What's normal." she gave a frown. "I'm serious."

"Don't be like that." she walked a couple of meters toward a small chest of draws beside the telephone. "Forget it." sliding her hand into the top compartment she rummaged for a few seconds before removing the very thing he had been searching for. It is hard to explain the sensation of a keepsake, its a stupid little thing something to which you are fully aware, but for some reason you don't really give a damn. Closing the draw, Chichi grasped at it for a few moments longer, the room suddenly becoming a little too warm for her liking. He just stood there, the coal range pelting out waves of heat into his thighs, climbing into his chest. Her eye-lashes were singing, he was sure he could hear it, they were singing for him. Clenching a fist against his leg, she stared at him from across the tabletop.

"Here" she thrust out a hand. "This it?" failing in reply, Vegeta snatched it from her grasp.

"It's been a week, why did you not return it sooner." the item was slid into his back pocket.

"Oh for goodness sake." she bound her arms. "I just forgot" the room fell silent for a moment, even the fire dared not spark. Clearing her throat Chichi made a glance at the door. "It's late. You should be going."

"To where?" he stated rhetorically, keeping his posture ridged and with little sign in relaxing.

"Once you're gone I don't care." they stared out like old foes. "Go."

"Hmph." he shifted toward her, simply in an effort to reach the front door, or so she thought. The lights were low and everything was humming with heat, both characters felt nigh on suffocated by it. He could smell her shampoo, mixing with the glow in her skin, god she was... reaching out as he passed, the sensation of cotton raced along the wire of a million nerve endings. She flinched, she couldn't help it, he was burning.

"Don't" He stopped to her voice, with a mere two feet between them, two feet of sedition.

TO BE CONTINUED... dum dum dummmmmmm...