FPM: you know what I think? This story's not really about romance.
Cell: …yes, I do not believe Goku's trickery counts.
18: but there's 'liking' involved.
FPM: that's general. Everyone 'likes'. …Ooh, but not everyone dates. Ah. I get it. Kay. This story is fine in the categories "Humor/Romance"…Not sure it's so funny, though.
Cell: I shall laugh, and it will be funny. HA-…Ha-…ha.
FPM: …Kay. That works. Everything's…dandy.
17: I saw PowerPuff Girls today.
FPM: …So?
17: …I was blinded.
18: me too. Then I saw-
FPM: wait, how can you see without not being blind? ..Wait, What?...
Cell: "I see," said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw.
FPM: oh. Wait. …What?
18: obviously someone's slow.
17: indeed, my sister. Come, let's destroy the stupid Cell one once and for all!!
Cell: Haha, you try.
17:DIE you fool!! (-WIZZ!! ZAP!!-)
FPM: Wait, no dying! NO DYING!!
Cell: ARG! NO!!!
18: MUAHAHA!!!
Cell: NO!! NOT HAPPY PRINCESS!! NOOOOO!
FPM: wait, …WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS DOING?!?!?!
18: …we were having a lovely battle of little warriors such as Yoshi…Mario…Luigi…
FPM: …and Cell was a princess?
Cell: I am entitled to my own decisions, thank you very much.
FPM:…why are you thanking me? I didn't do anything…
17: so true, so true..
FPM: …Hey. (-.-)…
---------
Cell stared blankly. He was now in a large store-complex known as "Washington Square". He had been wandering aimlessly about in search of something to preoccupy his mind when he suddenly became upon--
'…Does that say "Victoria's Secret"?...'
/Pshhh, doesn't look so secret to me…/
'…I know…positively disturb-'
- -ingly beautiful…(-stare/drool…-) –
'…o.O…'
/Men./
Cell shrugged and continued walking on. He had spent the night and most of the day in Washington Square, and was now beginning to become more and more bored with it. Sauntering over to an exit, Cell noticed a sign that read "Jamba Juice".
'Ah. I have heard of this before. It sounds interesting enough…'
-…What do you mean by "interesting"?-
'(-shrug-) I'm rather hungry. Can't you tell? I haven't had anything since last…oh. Wait, I was about to say night, but, now that I remember it, I haven't really had anything all week…'
/…/-…-
'What?'
Jumping onto the counter on his haunches, Cell looked around, eyes falling on certain objects that scattered the kitchen-counters. There has to be something to eat around here…
/…How 'bout that blender?/
'Hmm?'
Cell's head turned to his right and he noticed a blender with a large spoon next to it. Leaping behind the counter, he picked up a sheet from the floor, which turned out to be directions for a newly-crazed smoothie.
'Ah. Yes. "Scoop Ice into the Blender"…What?'
/The ICE BIN on your LEFT, stupid…/
Cell grunted, rolling his eyes, and picked up the blender and spoon. Scooping a few bits of ice into the blender, Cell noticed a container that said "Orange Dream Machine" and dumped that into the blender as well. After adding a few more things into the blender, Cell turned the blender on. To his surprise, it worked.
After a few minutes, he switched it off and poured the contents into a large, clear cup he found under the counter. Setting the cup down onto the counter, Cell rested his chin on the counter as well, studying the orange gunk. He found it…increasingly disturbing. Orange slush…like snow. But the snow was orange. …Cell stood straight and continued observing the new orange monster he had blended together with the aid of an electric utensil. Humans gained interest in such a concoction? Cell could have thought less of it…
-DRINK IT!!-
'…Knowing you, it must be poison…'
-…What? But you were the one who made it…-
'True…'
Reluctantly, Cell picked up the glass with his left hand, holding the container temptingly next to his violet lips. His stomach growled…oh, he was hungry—hungry enough to eat a frozen slush…Cell sipped the ice-liquid. It was…strangely enough, all-right. Delightful, even. Guzzling the rest of it down, Cell felt instantly re-energized, a warm feeling rushing up his front…He smiled and tossed the cup into the disposal container on his left.
/(-sigh-) YOU'RE GONNA BE LATE!!/
'So? …I HAVE JUST HAD THE MOST DELICIOUS THING IN THE WORLD!! MUAHAHAHA!! I AM ALIVE!!'
Cell leapt out the door and into the night.
-!-!-!-!-
Goku paced around the room, a hand on his face. He had been somewhat worried about Crystal—she had become sort of like a family member to him, and …I don't want her hurt. It seems she's had enough of that…
"…Goku? …"
Startled by the sudden question, Goku stopped in his footing, but lost his balance—in result, he tripped on his feet and landed on a heap of plastic, large, bendy tubes that were scattered to his side. Finding himself in a strange position, Goku heard Crystal giggling—she seems so young. Like a daughter, even…
"…Goku?... What's wrong?" Crystal managed, though she was tempted to laugh again—she didn't want to embarrass Goku, as he had done much to help her.
Goku shrugged and smiled his ever-famous smile.
"Nothin'…But, uh, I suppose…what'r'ya doin', anyways?" Crystal sighed and Goku cocked his head to the side. "What? Did I offend you?"
Shaking her head in an immediate reply, Crystal looked down.
"…Sorry. It's just…Goku, you remind me so much of my little brother…my little Mikey…" Crystal suddenly fell to her knees, tears spilling from her eyes. "I miss him…I loved him. Mikey was so sweet…not like any other bratty child around this world…he and I could always relate…Mikey." Crystal covered her face with her hands, sobbing now. "…That BASTARD, I'll make him…I can't do this Goku, I just…can't…no. God, I must, though…" Crystal, with her head down, laid her hands on her knees, shaking her head. "Goku…I can't face him. It was hard enough last time…I don't want to like him. I hate him. …And I love him."
Goku nodded, recalling what love felt like. He had Chi-Chi…but she was different. …That love was different. And there were always those who were different and changed someone's lives…Goku sighed and tried to stand, but –mind his forgetful mind—he became twisted up again and fell back into the heap. Crystal looked up, fairly shocked. Goku, finally realizing what had happened to him, started laughing. Crystal smiled somewhat, watching Goku with curiosity. Goku was such a strange one. Always with the glass full. Not Half-full, but, rather, FULL. She smiled and shook her head. Goku was so sweet. And Chi-Chi was lucky. (Crystal had met Chi-Chi a few days before, and found her almost as interesting as Goku. 'What a pair', she had thought. 'Too bad they're breaking up…').
Standing and brushing himself off, Goku turned towards Crystal.
"…You good to do this? I mean, you don't have to…"
Crystal nodded, and stood, full determination glistening in her eyes. Goku smiled. 'She's so much like Chi-Chi…Chi-Chi. Why did you leave? …'
-----(flashback)-----
Chi-Chi was sitting on the couch, refraining from cleaning in a protest. If her son fought instead of school-work, she could surely relax instead of clean!!
What made Chi-Chi mostly upset now was that Goku acted like it didn't really matter…he just cleaned the house up himself, even though he might have broken a few priceless things in the process. Ignoring me, she thought. That's all he's doing…
Goku and Gohan had just gotten back from their training, and Chi-Chi had just gotten back into the actual world, rather than the television one. She had banned Gohan from the tv…though she found it particularly interesting. Chi-Chi had never really sat and watched it, always cleaning like she usually did. But no more!!
Closing the door, Goku sighed and smiled as Gohan fell face-first onto the couch opposite his mother. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Goku stepped behind the couch Chi-Chi was on. Behind her, he bent and gave her a light peck on the cheek. Noticing she gave no reaction, Goku shrugged and walked off to clean himself in the shower.
Gohan looked up from his comfortable position. "Mom?" he asked, worriedly. Shrugging as well, he turned his attention to the t.v. What, SHE can watch it? Pshh, adults these days…
"…What is it, Gohan?"
Gohan was a little surprised she had responded. "…Mom? …Are you really that upset with me fighting? I don't like it like dad, but-"
"He doesn't like to. Just does. …To protect. The Earth."
Gohan nodded. 'C'mon, mom, give me more credit than that! I haven't missed THAT much school…I can understand sentences FAR past TWO words,' he wanted to tell her, but kept his mouth shut. Gohan had been noticing a few feuds between his parents lately, which was very unlike them. They didn't hit each other, but their words…their words…Gohan shuddered. A friend from the internet had emailed him, informing him his parents had gotten a divorce…Gohan shivered this time, a cold feeling sweeping through his body. What if they really separated?
"Gohan, sweetie, what's wrong?" Chi-Chi whispered, suddenly sitting next to him with a hand on his forehead. Gohan jumped a little bit at the unexpected attention, and then noticed he had developed a cold sweat.
Sighing and smiling as cutely as he could, Gohan replied, "I'm fine mom." and went to his room.
Chi-Chi stood and watched him leave, smiling at fond memories. I won't let him not have a father…Goku isn't a dad. He doesn't care about that. I love Gohan. Goku…he's slipping away…
Abruptly heaved into the air, Chi-Chi screamed, thinking it some burglar, and thrust her foot down on the person's head. Recognizing the replying "Ow" to be Goku's, she stopped her fist from colliding with his head, too. Goku put her back onto the ground and smiled.
"What, no apology?"
"…"
"…Chi-Chi? What's wrong?"
"YOU DESERVED IT…"
"…Huh? What? …Chi-Chi-"
"Don't go and 'Chi-Chi' me, Goku! Gohan is NOT fighting!! Our son's life is more important than the whole Frickin' UNIVERSE's, so I'm NOT letting you TAKE HIM!!"
Chi-Chi growled and crossed her arms. Goku sighed.
"…It's just that I KNOW there's something in Gohan that will SURELY defeat Cell. I'm positive…"
"Like how you were positive Gohan could do without school? I DON'T THINK SO!! You know how far he got behind?…You just don't care about your son."
Goku frowned. He usually was happy, but lately Chi-Chi had been getting more and more irritating, throwing words at him that hurt.
"Don't you dare say that! I love Gohan—I-"
"I don't give a flying shit about what you think, Goku. You're a fucking moron who doesn't care for his kid! All you do is cram his poor little head with, 'fight, honey, fight, and you'll be smart'."
"I never said that-"
"It doesn't matter. You're leaving. Right now."
"Chi-"
"NOW!!"
Chi-Chi abruptly shoved Goku out the door and locked it. Goku—outside—sighed, and rapped softly on the door.
"Chi-Chi. Please."
"GET AWAY!! …We just need some space, Goku. And time. …And, maybe, even, some new people."
Goku sighed, a worried look plastering itself onto his face and eyes glazing over. He loved his wife, so why didn't she love him? Sighing once more, Goku left to his only other friend—Bulma.
…She understood what he was going through and was nice enough to give him a room, even one that was close to Crystal's. He felt like her…protector…now. Like her guardian. …Or maybe more.
-----(end flash-back)-----
Goku's mind warped back into the present, and noticed Crystal had left to tidy-up for her night-out with Cell. Oh yeah…Cell. That green monster who's taken everything I loved away from me… Sighing, Goku lolled about, not sure about whether he should accompany the two or stay home, worrying…
--
Crystal came back a good while later, full of radiance. She had applied just a smidgen of makeup on—just enough to enhance her look instead of making her out to look like a living plastic Barbie Doll. She had a double-layered white knee-high skirt on—since it was June—and a more casual white shirt that said "Save the Drama" in black (ironically, this was just the shirt Goku had wanted to wear when Chi-Chi came to visit) and a slim black jacket. Goku smiled, and then peered at the clock. 6:47.
She could get to the theater easily. Perfect.
-!-!-!-!-
Cell had had to turn around after 18 had realized he didn't have his "stuff" with him…which didn't turn out to be a problem, since Cell could easily "zap" himself back with his super-speed and put on his Tux. He had almost let 18 loose to help him, but then caught himself before falling for her trick. They were… "friends"…but weren't not sworn enemies. With the top half of the Tux on, Cell sprinted to the flower case and picked up the Blue one the "posse" in his head had picked out a while before.
Comfortable (well, to the most Cell would get) with his reflection as he peered into a mirror, Cell sped to the theater.
…Once there, he stood away from the building, observing the dazzling lights that streaked the inside of the large "Movies On TV" theater. Looking up at a large clock-tower to his far, far, far right, Cell noticed it was only 6:53. He cussed under his breath and leaned back against the cold concrete building.
/…What?/
'Never you mind, 18. …Aren't you women always late, though? I don't wish to spend all night for her to get here…'
-Yes you do. You're worried. I can tell.-
'…How?'
-…I pay…a strange…amount…to details…-
'(-clicks in-) …o.O, o.O, o.O, o.O, o.O, o.O…'
/…(-clicks in too-) …OMG, my bro's, like…GAY?!?!/
-NO!!! (-blushing madly-) NOT WHAT I MEANT! I'm- -
'Save it. …Oh, God, I have a Gay-Wad in my head…'
-…Back to what I had wanted to say—Cell. Stop worrying. You said yourself you're 'perfect', so what can go wrong?-
'I said my body is, as well as my ability to fight…but never my conversations with women. Tell you the truth, I've never really spoken with one besides her before…'
-…She wasn't flirting with you when you last met, just FYI.-
'…Don't make me hurt you.'
"Cell? …You here?" Crystal's voice rang.
Cell immediately stood up straight and away from the wall, and answered. Crystal walked around the corner and to Cell, smiling.
"Nice to see you." Crystal beamed.
Cell nodded, a deep red hue overwhelming his cheeks. Crystal smiled sweetly, thinking it was rather funny how this creature thought. Tilting her head towards the door, Crystal grinned.
"So what do you want to see?"
"Uh-um…I- uh…" Cell's eyes darted around for an answer. Coming up with none, he sent the question back. "What do you want to see?"
Crystal shrugged and sighed. Both waiting in silence for a moment, Cell remembered why they were there and quickly opened the door, holding it open for Crystal.
Both inside, they looked at a few advertisement posters, both thinking (Cell didn't care what they watched, as long as he was with her) that "I, Robot" sounded interesting enough. Crystal led the way to a hidden door that led to a high room with all the tapes in them, and hooked them up to a movie-player. They were both rather surprised the mechanism still worked, but still got it running.
Settling into the chairs, Cell peered over at Crystal, taking in her beauty. Tonight she seemed…gorgeous. Full of life, light, and happiness… Watching a few commercials start, Cell asked, "How did you know how to do that?"
Crystal paused, trying to remember how.
"…Cell, I'm being honest. I wasn't exactly 'well-brought-up', if you get what I mean…" Crystal looked at Cell, his replying nod, and continued. "So I used to hang out with some 'losers' all the time—do stuff, like sneak into theaters and set them up so we could watch them for free, and nobody knew. My parents…didn't really think they were the best to be with—druggies, they said they were—and so kinda banished me from that. …So, as you probably can guess, I didn't like that, so I sorta 'rebelled'…but nothing like what my parents thought I was doing. My dad was abusive, which was another reason why I ran, but …when I ran away, I rang my mum to see how she was and she said he had started beating her…and my little brother. So, my 'loser' friends and I set up this scam, got my dad on tape, and he was sent to jail. …When he came back out, he went to therapy, and we were a spunky, happy-go-lucky family again, until…" Crystal bit her lip, undecided on how to describe the death of her parents without implying it was Cell. "…My parents were out one day, but they didn't come back. And so I raised my little brother for a while…then he had an accident and died. …Oh, I'm sorry, you asked about how I knew about how to set up that thing and I got on all 'story-mode'. …Sorry."
Cell smiled at Crystal's blush. "Nothing to be ashamed about. I found it rather interesting."
"…Interesting as in Amusing or Weird?"
"Neither. I've never really…heard of someone's life like that. …Too bad that no one's is perfect…"
"Just because mine isn't doesn't mean another person on the other side of the world hasn't had a dandy life."
Cell nodded. "But yours is most important."
As soon as Crystal was going to answer, the movie began…
---------
FPM: Holy, Moly, that was like seventy-million chaps in one!!! …hope you liked it and review, or I'll sue. Lol, I'm a poet and I didn't even know it. Holy, I can rhyme, I can rap!! …Cell, why's 17 in your lap?
Cell: (-.-) he's taking a nap.
FPM: holy, dogg, tell me you playin' wack--…okay, I was going to continue a little love-fest of rhyming, but …what the heck did I just say?
18: (-shrug-) is that really relevant right now?
FPM: I AM!! MUAHAHAHAHA!! …oh, I DO NOT OWN JAMBA JUICE, CURSE IT!!! …Oh, well, ppl—make it known—I AM THE ONE WHO KEEPS THEM JAMBAS IN BUISNESS!!
Cell: (-sweatdrop-) what?
FPM: don't tell me you haven't seen my garbage can. It's loaded with Jamba Juice stuff. I buy it, get a sugar rush, lower down, buy two, get a sugar rush, lower down, buy four—
17: HOLY, WOMAN, STOP!!!
FPM/Cell/18: (o.O)…
FPM: I feel loved. Omg, I say that all the time…but life's peachy. Deal with it. (ho, I did it! I came up with something other than 'life's dandy, oh-ho-ho'! …yeah, I so rock…)