--Original Character Alert! Unfortunately, there was no way for me to do what I wanted to do without including an outside character. I tried. And I failed miserably. So, for those of you who don't like reading stuff with characters that are not DB, DBZ or DBGT related, proceed with caution. This character will exist throughout the rest of this story. You have been forewarned.

Versus 3: Eclipse

--All You Feel--

Failing a test, being grounded, screwing up with Goten, and now this. Had her father seen Goten and her kiss? If he had, it was a BIG surprise that he hadn't tried to chop Goten's head off.

Bra watched her father as he hovered down to where she levitated. "I should ask the same of you," Vegeta said. "Your mother told me that you'd locked yourself in your room because you were grounded."

Bra looked around for an answer. What was she doing here? "I...."

Vegeta folded his arms across his chest and smirked. "If you can't come up with a lie any faster than that, then maybe you don't want to see Kakarot's youngest brat anymore."

"What does it matter? I'm not gonna be able to see him anymore anyway. With that new tutor around, I may as well be given a 24-hour babysitter," Bra complained.

"As much as I'd like for you and the clown's son to be apart, I have to agree with you," Vegeta told her. "I don't look forward to having an old live-in know-it-all crowding up my space."

Bra copied her father's position. "My sentiments exactly." She looked at Vegeta out of the corner of her eye. "You're not gonna tell Mom I snuck out, are you?"

Vegeta laughed. "You don't know me very well, do you, child?"

Bra looked confused. Was that supposed to be an answer?

After a moment of silence, Vegeta spoke again. "I heard what happened here a few minutes ago. Now, as you know, I'm not one to pry. So I'm sure we both feel...out of place...."

What was he talking about? It wasn't like her father to babble. This WAS out of place.

"I'll just get to the point here. You have a problem with...THAT word," Vegeta continued.

THAT word? What word?

"You most likely inherited that from me," Vegeta went on.

Inherited what? Bra wasn't sure what he was talking about. She just looked at him strangely.

"What are you looking like that for?" Vegeta asked.

"Dad, I don't know where you're going with this. What are you talking about?" Bra questioned.

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "And you're supposed to be the smart one in all of this? Where has your mind been?"

Bra growled.

"I'm talking about what that twit said to you before he left," Vegeta told her.

Bra blushed. "You heard that?" Of course he heard it. He was sitting right above them when it was said.

"Yes," Vegeta replied. "Welcome to the discussion. Now, like I was saying, you're probably never going to say that word to him. I've never said it to your mother. Never."

"Really?" Bra said. This was awkward. She never thought she'd be talking to her father about something like this. Of course, it made more sense than talking to her mother about it. She spits THAT word out like it's some kind of greeting. What was up with that?

"And I won't ever say it to her. Do you know why?" Vegeta asked.

Bra shook her head.

"I don't either," Vegeta informed her.

So what was the point of this very strange, very uncomfortable conversation?

"It's just the way some of us are," Vegeta continued. "And she's still trying to get me to say it to this day. I don't understand why some people think it's so important to SAY it...."

Okay, he'd gone off into his own little world now. Man, her dad was a spectacular fighter, but she wasn't sure if he was altogether there. But she understood what he was getting at. He never said it to her mother, but he really did love her. And just because he didn't say it didn't mean that he didn't love her. At least she was pretty sure that that was what he meant. Theirs was a strange relationship indeed. Maybe it was a sign that she and Goten could work through this little shortcoming.

By the time Bra turned around to say something else to her father, he was gone.... Typical.

--the next morning--

Bra awoke to a rainy morning. It was a little after 9:30 on Saturday. She'd slept late and she couldn't help thinking about her night with Goten. She wished she could have told him how she felt about him. She really did love him. She'd never been in love before, but she knew that the way she felt about him HAD to be love. It was the only logical explanation for her feelings. If it wasn't love, then what else could it be?

She got out of bed, showered and got dressed. She was stuck in the house. A whole Saturday at home with no one except her parents. How boring. Sure, that was the way she spent most of her weekends anyway, but that was when it was HER choice. Now she was being forced to stick around. That sucked. Maybe she could take this time to begin a rigorous training program so that she could challenge her father to a rematch.

She walked into the kitchen to scrounge up some breakfast when she noticed that her mother was sitting at the kitchen table talking to someone. Bra didn't even look in their direction. She just sighed loudly. This must be her new tutor. She really didn't look forward to meeting whoever it was.

"Good morning, honey," Bulma said cheerfully. "I know you're still upset about being on punishment, but when you're older, you'll understand."

Bra opened the fridge and frowned. She had no comment. It was good to know that her father didn't voluntarily tell Bulma about her total disregard of authority last night.

"There's someone I'd like you to meet. Your new tutor. His name is Nick Carnage," Bulma continued.

"It's nice to meet you, Miss Bra," the one called Nick greeted.

Bra finally turned to face the old geezer who would be her tutor for who knew how long. But when she laid eyes on him, she found that this man was no geezer at all. He wasn't even middle-aged. He looked no older than her brother.

Nick Carnage--age: 27--He's a young man who is devoted to geology and history. He has long brown hair, which was worn in a ponytail, and grey eyes. He looks to be a big hit with the ladies, standing about 6'. Not much else is known about him as of yet.

Bra looked astounded. She wasn't sure what she should think. Wasn't her mother supposed to hire some old boring geology professor?

"I was just as surprised as you are," Bulma told Bra. "He looks young, but he's very well respected in the fields of both geology and history. Some of my colleagues recommended him and his references checked out. Besides, he's very well-mannered AND punctual."

"Thank you, Mrs. Brief," Nick said. He smiled at Bra. "Your mother's told me great things about you."

Bra blinked at him blankly. What was this? Some kind of sick joke?

"Well, Mr. Carnage. It's been a pleasure. I'm VERY impressed. You two should spend the day getting to know each other. Then later on, you can study, study, study," Bulma prattled ecstatically. She trotted off to her lab.

Bra looked at Nick strangely. She was speechless.

Nick held his hand out to her. "I'd like to introduce myself again. My name is Nick Carnage. I work with the geological program at the local college...."

He obviously observed that Bra had remained silent. She wasn't about to shake this guy's hand. He was the enemy.

"I have Master's degrees in both geology and history. I've tutored history for 6 years and I've tutored geology for 4 years...," Nick went on.

Bra was still silent.

"You have absolutely no interest in hearing any of this," Nick said. He nodded. "I can understand that. I've been in your shoes before. Well, not literally."

Bra didn't say anything.

"Hm. Tough crowd," Nick noted. "Well, why don't you tell me about yourself? I hear that you're a master mathematician, an excellent chemist and a wiz when it comes to technology."

Bra only frowned.

Nick looked at her and tilted his head.

Bra raised her eyebrows.

"That's odd," Nick commented. "In all of that, your mom never mentioned that you were mute."

Bra smiled a little and lowered her head.

"Ah, the angry girl CAN smile. But can the silent girl speak?" Nick asked.

Bra looked back up at him. Something about him was very familiar. His goofiness put her in mind of Goten. Mmmmm, Goten. She missed him already.

"Only when I have something to say," Bra responded after a long silence.

"Duly noted," Nick said with a smile. He stood from his seat at the table. "Your mother insisted that I move in. I have to admit, it's somewhat disconcerting."

"How so?" Bra asked. She knew SHE wouldn't want to move in with a bunch of strangers.

"When I got the call, I had no idea I'd be tutoring a girl," Nick told her.

Bra laughed under her breath. "Well, when I was told I'd have a live-in tutor, I had no idea he'd be so young."

"Expect the unexpected," Nick commented.

"That's what they say," Bra said.

Nick smiled. "If you'll excuse me, I'll just bring in my things."

She watched him walk out of the door. When he came back in, she saw that he carried a case of capsules in hand and a gig bag over his shoulder. Gig bag? She looked at it strangely.

Nick noticed what she was looking at. "Oh, don't worry. I practice with headphones. You won't be disturbed. So, which way to my room?"

He played guitar. This was an interesting discovery.

--End All You Feel--

--That was another episode of Eclipse. Thank you for reading it. Thanks for all the reviews too. To tell you the truth, I didn't know there were that many people out there who read this story. Of course, I've probably run some of you away with this new character.

--Speaking of new characters. For those of you who are left, what do you think? Give me some suggestions or let me know your opinions on this guy. Once again, I'm sorry that this character isn't in DB, DBZ or DBGT, but I honestly couldn't come up with anyone else.

--And another thing: Sometimes Vegeta can be one card short of a full deck. But then again, so is his daughter. I just thought I'd say that.

--There are a few surprises up ahead. Please stay tuned for the next episode of Eclipse.