Blending In
18



"Strawberry! Please come forward at this time and draw your number!"
Heels clicked softly on the stone floor. Tonkeshin could easily follow the piercing sound up to the Announcer. Stilettos, he knew by how they seemed to stab into anything they walked on. Just like the knives that gave them their name.
Females and their shoes. . .I'll never understand them. Tonk mused silently. They go crazy about this hot new pair on the market and then, when they wear them, go on about how they hurt and can't wait to get them off! But more importantly, how the heck does she fight in those? Hm.
"Strawberry drew a four!" cried the eager Announcer.
Cheers erupted. It was hard not to get excited whenever he talked, something in his voice just exuded energy. Tonkeshin wondered if it was natural or something the guy learned through practice.
The heels swept off to the left and fell silent. Goten got called next, followed by Nathan, Pan and Oruko. It turned out that Nathan was a monk from some town Tonk never heard of, and Oruko had been described to him as a ninja. In clockwork order they each drew their numbers.
"Eight!"
"Fourteen!"
"Twelve!"
"Ten!"
"This's going faster than I expected." Tonk told Piccolo for the sake of conversation, "Last time I listened to this over the radio. . .they took forever."
Piccolo answered dryly, "Because everybody's alert this time. They aren't talking amongst themselves. Not many good friends got through this time, save for our group. Looks to me like just about every weaker fighter who got through has beef with someone else."
A chuckle bubbled in Tonk's throat, "Or maybe they're just terrified of us standing here like a pair of gargoyles. Only we're better-looking."
". . .feh!"
"Tonkeshin!" The voice came from all directions thanks to the speakers mounted on every wall.
"Oops, I'm over here!" Tonk raised an arm and waved, hoping it made him visible to the Announcer. Then, to Piccolo, he whispered, "Which way?"
"Straight ahead."
"Thanks."
Tonkeshin stuck his cane out and tapped his way up to the table. It took him a minute to find the hole he had to draw from, so he made sure to swish his hand around real good. Hoping to draw a decent number.
Don't draw an empty spot, don't draw an empty spot, don't draw an empty spot, don't draw -
The Announcer cut into his thoughts, "So, you think you'll win this thing?"
Tonk smiled, facing the man's voice. "I dunno, I just came to see how far I can get. I'm cool with whatever happens today."
His fingers closed around a smooth, plastic sphere. He gripped it tight and held it up for the officials to read.
"It's backwards."
"Oops." Tonk turned it around.
"Tonkeshin has drawn a three!"
"Whew!" Relief nearly bowled him over. Or did it? This meant his first match would be against Strawberry. He didn't like the possibility of being kicked by those heels. Memories of countless heels accidentally slamming down on his feet made him wince inwardly.
Piccolo came up next for his drawing. He drew six. Clover went next and produced a five.
"Poor kid," mused Piccolo quietly, "He'll probably give up and leave when we get in the ring. He's terrified."
"What's he look like?"
"A fox-boy in overalls, he's only about five foot two and pretty scrawny. Looks like a farmer's kid or something."
"Oh. . ." Tonk felt his brow knit, "well be gentle with him if he doesn't run, okay?"
Piccolo sighed, "Don't worry, he'll be easy to throw out of the ring. It'll be a two second match if he doesn't run."
"I just hope mine's over that quick. Those heels. . .ew. Ever been kicked by stilettos?"
"Can't say that I have."
"Good, don't."
"Just use that sense of yours and dodge," replied Piccolo simply. As if his mind would rather be on something besides the conversation.
"Tyrano!"
Lumbering feet. The box rattling. A grunt.
"We've got an eleven!"
Vegeta and Trunks drew next. They returned, Vegeta having picked a one and Trunks moaning about being number thirteen.
Tonkeshin tuned out the rest. He just heard names and numbers, but didn't really process them. Brutus pulled number two from the box. . .and immediately wet his pants when he realized he'd be fighting Vegeta. Other fighters laughed at the poor guy.
It wouldn't have been so bad if Tonk wasn't standing right next to him when it happened.
Excitement was giving way to a sudden rush of nervousness.
What if he tripped on the way to the ring? Or missed the steps and fell on his face? Would they let him use his cane until he reached the ring? He didn't want to walk out there clinging dependently to someone's arm, his pride wouldn't allow it. But he didn't want to skulk out there like a frightened cat either.
I'll just take the cane, he told himself. If they don't like it, too bad, someone can hold it for me while I fight. Yeah, that'll work! He made a fist and smiled.
". . .I'll see you in the semi-finals, Goten." Trunks' voice shot across Tonk's consciousness.
Goten's reply got lost in the crowd. Or he was moving away, Tonk couldn't tell over all the rock music coming from the arena.
And then, suddenly. . .
"There you have it, folks, we have a full board! Heeeeeeere's our line-up for the first round!
"Starting us off will be Vegeta versus Brutus!
"Following that is Tonkeshin versus Strawberry!
"Ma Junior versus Clover!
"Up next is Goten versus Organza!
"Starburst versus Oruko!
"Tyrano versus Pan!
"Trunks versus Nathan!
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand. . .our wildcard fighter for this year's Tournament. . .Buu against Mr. Satan!
"And there you have it, folks! Please feel free to stretch and warm up, the matches begin in exactly one hour! Don't be late or you'll be disqualified. Thank you for your patience!"
The speakers quit buzzing, which meant the Announcer had left the area.
Trunks complained from far to the right, "Buu and Mr. Satan? Oh brother! He'll just have Buu let him win so he'll look cool!"
Tonkeshin felt his stomach turn over and churn. Being excited and nervous didn't do his digestion any favors.
Performance anxiety. Probably stemming from the time he was forced to play Romeo a high school play, forgot his lines on stage and just stood there stupidly until everybody started laughing. He just hoped he wouldn't forget how to fight and get pulverized by Strawberry's heels! Ouch!
Piccolo must've noticed the sudden tension. He came in with, "Heh, don't worry about it, Tonkeshin. You'll do okay."
"Hm? Oh, yeah." Tonk rubbed the back of his head and grinned sheepishly. "So what do we do now?"
"Stretch, warm up, use the restroom, get a drink. . .or in the case of Vegeta and them, eat."
"Sounds good - hey. . .do you meditate?"
The other Namek made a very approving, yet amused noise, "All the time."
"Cool, we could meditate together and just reflect for awhile. Take a breather and clear the air." Tonk smiled, "Besides, it's not like anybody will bother us with you sitting nearby. Seems like everybody avoids you. Must be the scowl."
A snort. "Riiiiiight, just like your smile acts as a magnet."
Brief chuckling ensued between them.
"C'mon then, Piccolo, let's find a quiet spot and speed this hour by before I explode from all the excitement. Know any good places where nobody will harass us?"
"I know several. Come."
Piccolo's footsteps were already moving away. Once again Tonkeshin had to jog to catch up. He followed Piccolo through a maze and turns until, finally, they stopped behind a warm wall that muffled pretty much everything but their breathing. The area smelled heavily of dust, cement and sun-heated brick.
"Here, people may walk by, but they won't come back to where we are. We're behind the garden." The low, raspy voice suggested Piccolo was already seated on the ground.
Tonk eased into the lotus position directly across from him. Coldness from the cement seeped into his rear end, giving him goosebumps.
Briefly, he sensed Trunks and Goten horsing around on the other side of the wall. It went on until Vegeta put a stop to it with a few harsh words. Tonk's eyes narrowed. Regardless of the stories he'd been told, he still felt anger towards that Saiyajin for what he did on Namek.
No, he's not important right now. . .calm down. Calm. . .like the sea on a clear day. He forced the rage from his mind and closed his eyes. Focused fully on utter stillness.
Tonkeshin let everything go except for the presence in front of him. In such close quarters it was easy to sense Piccolo's mind. Sharp as a tack and faster than a steel trap. He grinned when he felt the deep-rooted cunning.
My mind is a dangerous place to be, Tonkeshin.
Yeah? I'm not too worried. You wouldn't hurt me. I know you wouldn't.
I might not, but he could. . . Piccolo's energy signature shifted from warm to deathly cold. It felt like a brewing storm, both frightening and hostile. A complete antithesis to Tonkeshin's own thoughts and feelings.
He? Who is 'he'?
No reply.
A horrible foreboding crept into Tonk's mind like a demon's skeletal fingers closing on his skull. He moved below it and shot straight towards something solid. A metal door. He tried the handle, but it wouldn't open. Then he heard the metallic clank of old, heavy iron.
Chained, the door had been chained shut and wouldn't let him through. Something familiar resided behind it. He could feel it!
And then, suddenly, he found himself closed off completely from the other Namek's thoughts. The world re-established itself around him - sounds of people, smells of food, cement and brick, and the warmth of the sun.
"'He' is the one whose evil created me. Though I've overcome the dark tendencies I was intended for, I still have his seal on my soul. Nothing. . .not time or deed. . .will erase that. It's a constant fight, Tonkeshin, one I wish no one to see."
"It sounds like an awful burden to - "
Piccolo huffed and uncurled to his feet. His tone suggested they should change the subject. "The hour's up. We should get back."
"Really? So quickly?" Tonk went to check the watch he wasn't wearing. He kept forgetting he didn't put it back on.
No comment from the tall one over there. Piccolo's only response was to start walking. Tonk hurried up to follow.

They arrived at the waiting area just in time to hear Vegeta and Brutus being called out. And the thud of Brutus being knocked outside the ring. It was over before the Announcer even had time to finish shouting the word "begin!".
"Egad! I don't feel so ready for this, I thought I'd have more time!" The onrush of nerves nearly made Tonk sick to his stomach.
"What's the matter?" Vegeta was suddenly in front of him. The smell of Saiyajin sweat permeated the air all around. "Afraid of a female? Are you sure you should be here, Namek?"
With his blood boiling, Tonk forced calm into his voice, "I have as much right to be here as you." Saiyajin scum, he added silently.
Anything else Vegeta said got lost in the crowd's roar. Tonkeshin heard his and Strawberry's names being called.
Well, here I go...
Tonkeshin trailed around the paper sign blocking the door and stepped out into the sun's warmth. Cheers erupted immediately.
"TONK! TONK! TONK! TONK!" they chanted in unison.
"At least I know who saw the news story," he muttered jokingly.
Stiletto heels clicked past. Tonkeshin let Strawberry go ahead and used her footsteps, along with the tapping of his cane and the shoreline of grass lining the path, to guide him towards the ring.
"Both Tonkeshin and Strawberry are first time competitors. Little is known about the lovely Strawberry. . .she didn't tell us much. . .but we do know she's been taking martial arts classes since a young age and hopes to win the prize money so she can start her own business!"
Tonkeshin winced inwardly. He was halfway to the ring when the Announcer's voice rang out.
"Blind since birth, Tonkeshin came here to find out what he's made of. If you've seen the news story on him, you know what I'm talking about!"
More cheers.
Ugh. . .not as bad as I thought, but did he have to throw in the blind thing? Good grief.
Tonk heard Lians' rough voice somewhere off to the left. He couldn't make out what he was saying, but he knew he was there. And Greg. . .he didn't hear him at all. At least not until the roar died down.
"Blackjack!" the cry came from the left as well. Tonk faced that way, grinned and waved. A few more cheers went up. He turned forward and kept walking.
The tip of his cane bumped into the first step. Tonk checked it, stepped up and walked to the center of the ring.
This is the greatest moment of my life. I'm here. . .I'm really here! He couldn't help the silly grin twitching at his lips. It made looking serious impossible! He finally gave in and allowed himself one quick chuckle.
"You shouldn't be laughing when you're about to lose. It's only fitting that we wind up together in the first match." Strawberry spoke with an obviously disguised voice.
Tonk guessed it was some kind of synthesizer hidden in the neckpiece of her costume - this was based on assuming the costume covered her neck. One thing was certain. . .he didn't recognize the voice at all. Silly as it was the device served its purpose.
"How do you know I'm going to lose?" He folded his cane and held it out sideways. An official politely took it from him. He went on, "You've never seen me fight."
Strawberry refrained from further comment. Tonkeshin took this as his cue to assume a fighting pose, so he widened his stance, brought his arms up in a defensive posture and waited, his heart thudding hard behind his breastbone.
Off to the side he heard the sound of drums being pounded. Slowly at first, then faster and faster.
Tonk felt each beat deep in his bones. He relaxed for maximum freedom of movement. Let his mind clear of all thought. There was only him, the drums and his opponent.
"Readyyyyyyy!"
The drumbeats assumed a maddening tempo. It was almost a steady sound. Tonk licked his lips slowly in anticipation.
A gong crashed.
"BEGIN!"
Silence fell over the crowd as if a hand had been clamped over every mouth. Only random cheers filtered through.
Tonk stared into space, his ears straining for any sign of Strawberry's whereabouts. Didn't take much - her heels gave her away. He heard every step when she charged.
Tonk didn't move. The heels came closer.
Ten feet.
Five feet.
Two feet. He heard the 'oomph' of Strawberry leaping into the air. The oncoming wind of a kick.
Tonkeshin bent over backwards and let the kick pass over his stomach. He pushed off with his arms. Strawberry passed right underneath him.
"Strawberry starts us off with an amazing snap-kick! Tonkeshin's gotten away for the moment. . ." the Announcer dripped excitement into his voice, ". . .hold onto your seats, folks, this looks like it'll be one to remember!"
"Damn," Tonk heard his opponent curse.
That told him exactly where she was.
He came in for a landing next to her and aimed a chop for her neck. She dodged, grabbing his arm. Tonk reached for what he thought was an arm. His hand landed squarely on a voluptuous breast.
". . .HEY!"
SMACK!
"Ack!" Tonk rubbed his cheek where he'd been slapped. "Sorry, it was an accident!" Two more slaps landed on him. Hard ones! "Ack! ACK!" He had to keep jumping backwards to get away, but she was chasing him! He was forced to run!
"It looks like Strawberry took offense to Tonkeshin's grab! She's chasing him around the ring! How about that!"
"Really, it was an accident!" Tonk shrieked. He spun to face Strawberry and reason with her.
Swoosh!
Ker-THUNK!
Her stiletto heel smashed right into his jaw.
CRACK!
. . .and broke!
More surprised than actually in pain, Tonk forced himself to block her oncoming punches, kicks and chops. The broken heel had her way off balance, thus slowing her attacks.
"Do you think we could settle this - " he ducked a roundhouse kick, wide-eyed. "peacefully?"
"Maybe when somebody wins."
Tonk ducked another punch. "Then I'll make this quick." He caught her fist the next time she threw a punch.
"Let go!" Strawberry struggled, but couldn't escape. "Let go, now!"
The Announcer cried, "Tonkeshin now has Strawberry in some kind of a hold!"
Tonkeshin mentally followed the woman's arm up to her neck. She tried to wrench away. He pulled her close a knocked her out with a quick chop to the neck. Something metal hit the ground when she went limp.
Tonk let Strawberry fall, bowed respectfully and backed away so the Announcer could count.
Strawberry didn't move until the Announcer had reached eight. She seemed to regain her wits just as the number ten blared over the speakers.
"And Tonkeshin is our winner! Give the man a hand!"
The entire stadium exploded with cheers. Though the victory thrilled Tonkeshin, he felt it wasn't really earned. Strawberry never had a chance. She got lucky at the beginning, but he easily overpowered her in the end.
"Here's your cane."
"Oh, thanks!" He grinned towards the official, his fingers closing around the smooth leather handle.
Other officials gathered around Strawberry and helped her to her feet. She was dazed, but unharmed. Her one undamaged heel clicked unsteadily on the stone fighting floor.
"Figures you'd win. I groaned the minute I saw you draw a three."
Tonkeshin froze. Without the synthesizer, her voice was unmistakable. What was she doing here?
". . .Carol?!"
"Of course." She walked closer. "I said I'd see you in the ring, didn't I? Don't look so surprised, women fight too!"
He picked his jaw up off the ring floor. "Um, ah. . .huh. . .yeah, I guess so, you almost got me though! Had you not worn those heels you might've done better. I mean. . ." he rubbed his cheeks, "You slap hard, wow! Remind me not to make you angry ever again."
"Pfft. Maybe, but this outfit looks awful without heels. Not that you'd notice." Carol giggled and Tonk felt her rub his chest affectionately. "I guess I'll go change and sit in the stands to watch the rest of this. . .at least after the doctors okay me."
"Uh," Tonk tried not to show his discomfort when she touched his chest. Her touch would always make him uncomfortable. Even if they did sort out their differences. . .he wouldn't entirely forget she tried to stalk him. "Thanks for the good match, I guess. You okay?"
"Fine. I'm fine." The hand retreated along with one clicking heel.
Tonk heard the Announcer shout something about a crush. His face burned, but he smiled and made his way out of the ring.
Well, that was a pretty exciting first match. And with a surprise to boot! Not the most pleasant surprise, I'll admit, but still more than I hoped for.
He stopped just inside the doorway when another thought struck him. A fangy grin played across his lips.
Piccolo's going to easily win his match. Next round. . .it'll just be me and him, one on one. I can't wait!
"See you in round two," He told Piccolo on the way by.
"Count on it." said Piccolo in reply. Then there was the swish of his cape as he headed out to the ring.

Author's note: Pheeeeeeewwwwwwww! LONG chapter! There just wasn't a good place to end it without getting all the action in.

I felt the plot needed a little twist when I wrote this chapter. Were you surprised when you found out who Strawberry was? grins You just can't get rid of her!

Hope you enjoyed this first taste of the action. More to come next time!