My Band
Chapter 6: The Performance
Okay okay okay. Here's the deal: this chapter was waaaayy too long so I split it up into two parts. This was supposed to be the last chapter, meaning that after this there will be one more (and an epilogue maybe? (hint hint)). Well… enjoy!
Chrisbennett (anon): I put the 'anon' there just in case someone impersonated you, though I seriously doubt it. I can't have angry reviewers flaming me because I mistakenly thanked them, can I? Well anyway, thanks for the review!
LordVegeta91: YOU! Do I know you? Did you read my notebook with the ideas in it? Your first review was awfully suggestive of that… I'm sure its just coincidence. Thanks a bunch for the review! Soul man, huh? I'll have to go check that out.
Jessica (anon): Thanks for the review! Well written? You mean the grammar and spelling is mostly correct? Lol yes I must admit that since I'm a rising junior, I undoubtedly have better spelling than the middle schoolers that make a lot of the stories. No offense if you are one though… middle schoolers are cool! Oh I'm glad you like Vegeta. I was worried he was too OOC!
Tailameaisu: Thanks a bunch for the review again. I love it when you review my stories! Such a dedicated reader… Well sorry it took me practically forever to update. But don't worry! Since I already wrote the next chapter it'll be coming out in a jiffy!
Raccly e.r 17: You are not a dumb ass! I often forget to review the prologue as well. Usually its so short that there's not much to review unless it a brand new story. Thanks for the two reviews. And keep up your fics! You can be guaranteed more than 2 reviews if you add a little bulk to your stories. ;D
The beeping sound waking him from his slumber was really starting to get on his nerves. He didn't even bother opening his eyes. Hearing the direction of from which the noise was coming from, he pinpointed its location and rested his hand on it.
CRK. She could buy a new one. At least now he wouldn't go deaf. He sighed as he felt the whole nightstand collapse under his punch. Maybe he would now…
Which reminded him: he never left her room! When did he fall asleep? What was the last movie he saw?
And why was there a weight on his chest? Whatever it was, he was embracing it with his right arm. Brows furrowing, he ran his hand up and down across the offending object. It felt smooth and curved a little.
A back?
"Mmm…."
"Oh fuck," he cursed to himself, eyes snapping open at the murmur coming from the creature on top of him.
And as fate would have it, she chose that moment to wake up as well.
She snuggled her head into his chest, probably assuming it was her pillow because she never opened her eyes. She sighed contently. That was the best sleep she'd had in ages!
Whatever she was lying on was rough yet comfortable. Wait… what was she lying on?
Her eyes shot open to find Vegeta staring right back at her, a similar expression to hers on his face. So that's what had her around the waist!
"Holy shit," she muttered quietly, taking in the situation. She was lying completely on top of him, face down, arms outstretched in a relaxed manner on both sides of his head. His legs were apart just enough to allow hers in between, and he had her in a tight hug of sorts with his right arm.
"What happened?" he asked calmly, still not letting go.
"I don't remember," she answered honestly, trying to think back to the last movie she saw. "Um… the last movie I remember was Predator, because we were discussing how similar their culture was to Saiyans."
He nodded in agreement, recalling memories of the incident she was referring to. "Yes, I remember that as well."
There was an awkward silence as both thought of something to say or do about their position.
"Sorry, it must've been me," Bulma mumbled to him, laying her head back down on his chest. That's what she assumed, considering she was completely on top of him.
After that statement she would've rolled off had he released her from his grip.
Not that she felt like moving anyway. What she didn't know, but should have figured, was that neither did he.
Either way it didn't matter to her. She fell asleep.
IIIIII
"Woman. Woman you've got to wake up."
Nothing.
"BULMA!"
"Huh?" She bolted upright, surprised yet again to find herself in the bed, alone, and on her back.
"It's 3 pm. You said you need to set something up."
"Oh that's right. 3 pm? Why didn't you wake me up before?"
"Well you were awake at noon, but you fell asleep again so I put you down and let you sleep."
"Heheh. That didn't answer my question."
"You were out cold. Looked really… peaceful. Seemed like you needed it so I left you alone."
"Er… thanks. She got up and they headed to the backyard.
"Oh… sorry about-"
"Kakarott's here," Vegeta interrupted suddenly, giving her a faraway look. She just nodded. "I have to tell someone something," he explained before he opened the door to the backyard and took off.
"Hey Goku," she greeted as she came outside, spotting him plugging in the guitars and adjusting the drums.
"Hey. So how's it going with you-know-who?"
"Well, we fell asleep watching movies yesterday and ended up in a rather interesting position."
Goku laughed heartily, taking it to mean they still had their clothes on. "Told you he likes you."
"Oh Goku, don't be a high schooler," she giggled. "Besides, it was all me. I was literally lying on top of him."
"he wasn't doing anything to return the favor?"
"Well, he was kind of hugging me, but that's not a big deal! His arm was just crooked… that's all!"
"Bulma… that's a hug. And a hug from Vegeta is a lot. He never touches anyone unless he's kicking or punching them. You should've known something was up when he didn't push you off of him or throw you across the room."
"You've got a point," she admitted with an excited grin. "I'm surprised you're so into this idea. Anybody else would be against it."
"Well 'anybody else' doesn't understand Vegeta like we do," he replied wisely, contradictory to his trademark grin he was wearing. "but on to the performance…"
He didn't want to say anything that would jeopardize Trunks being born purely by the couple's actions, and ONLY theirs.
IIIIIII
"Oh my gosh, Chi-Chi, I'm SO nervous."
"That the party will be a hit or that the boys will do well?"
"Both!"
"That's understandable."
"I'm sure once the guys start playing I'll relax about everything."
"Are THEY nervous?"
"Goku is a little jumpy. You know that excess excitement mode he gets into? Yea that. Vegeta was going on about how human opinions are worthless because he's superior then all of them, and therefore has nothing to be 'nervous' about. He also claimed that he's never been 'nervous or worried' in his entire life and that he wasn't about to start."
"He's nervous."
"Yep. So you happy about Goku doing this?"
"Of course! With the money we're going to pull in, we'll be able to send my hardworking boy wherever he wants!"
"Hahah. That'd be cute if Gohan were in a band."
"That'd be great! Vegeta told me music enhancement affects the part of the brain that deals with math! But it'd have to be a temporary thing. Music doesn't REPLACE math."
"That'd be a good thing for him. Well, it's six. Everyone's been getting acquainted for an hour and the camera crew says they're ready so I'll go announce them," Bulma explained as she left with a wink.
She made her way backstage and peeked through the curtains. "You guys ready?"
"Yea!"
"We've BEEN ready, woman."
"Okay great." She went out o the front of the curtains, just like in rehearsal, and spoke into the microphone.
"May I have your attention please?" The crowd died down in volume as they turned to watch Bulma on stage. "You've all probably been hearing some hype about a band CC started, and today they are going to put on the performance of a lifetime for you! It's my pleasure to introduce… The Saiiyans!" The curtains lifted as the audience gave a polite round of applause, growing in anxiety as a boom of whistles and shoots came from the section where the Z Senshi sat.
"Hey ya'll!" Goku cheered happily into the mic. "This first song is 'Starless'." Vegeta started shredding guitar, catching Goku halfway off guard as he started the song off by singing.
"If only you could watch me fall; I cannot feel it anymore: the soul you cut, the soul you adore. Cannot feel you anymore…cause you've run through me with destructive force. I think somehow I gotta get it straight… I gotta get you out of me! But I cannot get through to you…"
"My Goku can sing!" Chi-Chi cried happily as she hugged Bulma tightly.
"Wow you're right. They're doing really well so far." The crowd had already started hooting at the start of the song, acknowledging that indeed, Goku can sing. Vegeta entered, resulting in a boom of excitement as the two sang in perfect unison.
"See me I'm down and I get deeper with every breath; see me I'm over the edge, farther with every step. See me I'm down and I get deeper with every breath; standing over the edge, I'm taking my last breath."
"How I feel like I'm starless! I'm ready to fade now… and how I feel like I'm starless! I'm hopeless and grayed out. Somehow I feel like I'm starless! I'm ready to fade no… and now I feel like I'm starless! I'm ready to burn out."
"They sound even better TOGETHER!" Chi-Chi roared in excitement over the crowd.
"I know! Listen to these lyrics, too! Goku said that Vegeta wrote all these songs personally."
"I can transcend you and mentally bend you, but I can't handle the shit that I'm into. I have been blinded and always reminded of the things I've wanted but I never could find. I am a part of a world that I hate; I wish the end would come faster, my world's a disaster. Can't you see that I'm down and I'm drowning, and I can't keep my head above my wake."
Vegeta and Goku sang the chorus again.
"Wow, Goku was right about those lyrics," Bulma muttered.
"Hey mom," Gohan called, coming up behind her. "Can I go up by the stage? Vegeta said he needed me to do something."
"Well, he should've asked ME first, but I guess it's a party so go have fun!"
"While you can!" Bulma finished jokingly as he left, earning a playful slap on the arm from her friend. They quieted as they heard the song calm a bit.
"I gotta get you out of my veins… I gotta get you out of my blood," Vegeta sang in a low voice. Suddenly the two erupted in harmony. "I gotta get you out of my scene! I gotta get you out of me."
Bulma started laughing as Goku started talking, or what he referred to as 'half rapping' into the mic. "What I'm really trying hard to get down to words is the way I fit into this world. Things I survived pushed me to the darker side because of life as it was… the life that was yours should've never been mine. But I never could take anymore of this cause I'm always gonna get… gonna get down to the floor. It's a cold gun that I kiss. Cause I cannot…. BREAK IT ANYMORE!" Bulma laughed harder as he shrilly went up the scale and roared into the microphone, though she was impressed with how in tune he was and how good it sounded. Then they repeated the chorus in a slightly different key, thought the harmony sounded good. As they ended, the crowd erupted in a applause.
"You know, I'm not one for rock, but I must admit that these boys are good," a potential customer replied as Bulma asked what she thought of the concert. Bulma grinned.
"Well, if you think maybe someone you know will like it, the CD's are for sale inside the building." She'd already hooked five customers by the time the boys decided to move on to their next song.
"Kakarott," Vegeta said to Goku through the mic as he turned to face him. "This next song, Cold, might need a little help."
"Uh… what?"
"We need another person… YOU! In the front. Yes YOU, half-bred. Get your ass up here." Chi-Chi screamed and nearly fainted as she recognized Gohan levitate up to the stage and strap a bass guitar on, also angry that Vegeta had referred to his behind as a curse word.
"He doesn't know how to play guitar!" she screeched, tears wailing frantically from around her.
"Um… well… like Vegeta said… this next song is 'Cold'," Goku said nervously. This time Vegeta sang.
"Looking back at me I see that I never really got it right. I never stopped to think of you. I'm always wrapped up in things I cannot win! You are the antidote that gets me by; something strong like a drug that gets me high. What I really meant to say is I'm sorry for the way I am. I never meant to be so cold… I never meant to be so cold…"
"Goku was definitely right about those lyrics," Bulma mumbled again. Chi-Chi, however, was too wrapped up in the fact that Gohan was actually playing well and seemed to know the song already. He even sang in harmony with Vegeta and Goku by the time the third phrase came around
"I never really wanted you to see the screwed up side of me I keep, locked inside of me so deep. It always seems to get to me. I never really wanted you to go… so many things you should have know… I guess got me there's just no hope. I never meant to be so cold."
Chi-Chi relaxed completely by the time the song ended and even moved on to talking about how Gohan could put the experience in his college application.
"That song was dedicated to you, Bulma," Goku yelled loudly through the microphone, winking at Vegeta. All eyes turned to her with an amused look as she turned beet red.
"Shut up, Kakarott!" Vegeta croaked, sending a light ki blast at him that he knew Goku could deflect safely away. "This next song is Colors."
"Which he also wrote for you, Bulma!" Vegeta gave Goku a death glare as he started playing, earning whistles and hoots from the unknowing crowd. She laughed, smiling as she took in the song she already heard.
"Did he really write this for you, Bulma?" Chi-Chi asked in a gossipy tone.
"Uh.. yea," she admitted sheepishly. She rounded up and talked to a few more partiers and realized that her plan was working perfectly. After they finished "Colors" they moved on to "No Giving Up Now," which Bulma recognized as the song Vegeta sang to Bulma to make her have the idea of starting up the band. As they finished that song, Bulma saw Vegeta gain a wicked grin on his face.
"Uh oh. This must be that death song Vegeta was talking about," Bulma sighed, grinning as she saw a rather strange and foreign look of glee upon his face.
"Yea, it's what I've become that I fear the most. I never thought it could get so wrong. I believe there's a part of me that I cannot beat, a part of me that I cant' defeat: the side of me that just doesn't belong."
Bulma could restrain a laugh as Goku started "half-rapping" again. "Judging by the weight of my fked up world, I think maybe I should take a step back from this. I need to quit pushing, just let it roll…"
"My Goku is so talented!" Chi-Chi clapped. "Both those boys are doing well."
"Yea, my nervousness is completely gone!" Bulma screeched to Chi-Chi as the boys resumed their screaming.
"The waves that you made… push me! Push me! The things that you say… push me! Push me! The waves that you made… push me! Push me! So I'll play God now and blow you, blow you away!"
"Yes, this is definitely the death song Vegeta was referring to in the studio. I didn't catch the name of it thought."
"I think it was 'Death Trend Setta' or something," Chi-Chi tried to yell overtop the booming noise.
"Now that you pushed me I bet you wish we could have made things better… and now you see that I could be… another, would be… another death trend setta!"
"Yes that must be right, Chi-Chi."
"Alright, time to tune things down a bit," Goku called through the mic as Vegeta and Gohan started a peaceful drum harmony.
"Can you hear me?" Vegeta asked through the mic lowly. "Can you see any part of me? Can you feel me? Can you bleed through me?"
Suddenly Gohan joined in and harmonized again.
"Those guys are good at harmonizing," Chi-Chi commented.
"Of course. They're Saiyans," Bulma replied smugly for them.
"Can't you see me walkin in your shoes? Can't you feel me stepping all over your soul? Can't you feel me reach into you? Can't you feel me walkin over your soul? Can't you feel me wait in pain? Can't you feel me reach into you?"
This continued for a couple minutes, Goku tapping the drums lightly every once in a while, the slow atmosphere allowing the guests to talk more and comment on things without having to shout over the music.
"That was The Unknown, and this next song is The Deep End," Goku explained as they started up again.
"I built my life like my bike, on a rigid frame, so nothing bends it only breaks into pieces and pieces," Vegeta roared through the mic. "I waited for hope to arrive but it never came, leaving me with only pain inside…I'm going off the deep end!"
"Holding on is harder than it seems when you're reaching for so much more. Seems so much easier to just give in when you're reaching for so much more."
Bulma smiled to herself as the hour continued to pass. They performed "So Far Away", "Dead Skin", and "Disco" (which she found particularly funny).
By the time they finished that, they only had twenty minutes left.
"Well… Kakarott. It seems we've exhausted our songs from our new CD, which happens to be for sale in the CC complex." Suddenly there was a rush of people that darted for the building. Vegeta waited about ten seconds for a majority of the people to return, CD in hand.
"Well Vegeta," Goku said slyly. "It looks like we'll just have to give em something else, huh?"
Vegeta grinned wickedly.
"Indeed we will."
That was DANG LONG. Geez. I kinda split it in a weird place, cause the next chapter is relatively short, but this was the best place to. The songs are all Crossfade from their self-titled album. I love them! ;D Sorry to those who listen to them and are now corrupted. Now when you listen to them, you will forever be comparing their voices to Goku and Vegeta's.
One more chapter! Yay! It's gonna be out in a couple days. Gotta give people time to review. ;D