AN: Good morning people! Well, good morning for me since its 7:45am…I had the urge to get up early and finish this chapter, which I might add is the last one that I had written since I kinda fell out of the loop a few weeks ago. I will try very hard to keep the story rolling, but don't be surprised if it takes another week ( And thanks for the instant reviews from a few of you! Its cool to hear that some of you check the page every day for an update XD I know there's a way for you to get an email whenever I update it, but I think its for site members. If you are one, then the option should be on the window that comes up when you do a sign-in review. Just a little tid-bit ) Anyway…chapter 6!

Chapter 6: A Cruel Gentleman

The screeching of a hawk somewhere overhead stirred me awake. Coming out of my semi-peaceful slumber, the bright light from the morning made my eyes squint back shut the moment I tried to open them. I waited for a moment and then tried again. I found myself lying on my side with my arm being used as a pillow. The minute I moved I could tell it was numb and in a matter of seconds it'd fall asleep on me. Not to mention my back was so stiff from sleeping on such a hard surface that I wondered if it'd ever be the same again. Damn.

I pushed myself into a sitting position, moving my foot around to see if, by chance, it had recovered during the night. When it hadn't I swore under my breath and thought that it was sprained, not just twisted. In that case, I'd demand to be brought back to the city. Oh yeah…I couldn't. Cell had ditched me last night. He probably thought over his whole attitude and decided to go into hiding or…

I turned around as I kept thinking to myself to find the green and black android standing in his usual position, only for once he was facing me and his eyes were definitely glued at my small, insignificant form. I inhaled sharply, not sure whether I was disappointed he came back or extremely happy that I was no longer alone. I decided to blend a mixture of both. I looked at him with anger and pure hatred and all he did was stare at me seriously.

"Where the hell did you go to last night?" I asked harshly.

Cell glared. "I don't think that's any of your business."

"You don't, huh?" I asked back, putting my hands on my hips though still sitting on the floor. "Well I think it is, Mr. Android. I was scared shitless when I got back and you weren't here."

"I know," Cell said now with a smile.

"You're sick," I muttered and tossed away the blanket. It was starting to get hot and noticing that it was only 8 a.m. it was only going to get worse. Sitting there, I noticed how terribly messy my hair was. I reached up and pulled out the clip that tried to keep holding it in place; my straight, dark blue locks fell a little further than my shoulders, the ends curled slightly from the way they were positioned for so long.

"I take it you slept well?" Cell asked and I immediately sensed the sarcasm.

"Shove it," I said. "I had a horrible night's sleep and that means I'm in a bad mood."

"Forgive me for not trembling in fear," he replied dryly and turned away.

I scorned at him. That ass—who did he think he was, acting like that? I know I asked myself that question before, but maybe if I continued asking I'd eventually get an answer. In the meantime, though, I took a second to look myself over. I wasn't pleased. I was filthy. My white shirt was obviously dirty, my pants had dust marks, and my boots had been scuffed. What I wouldn't do for a good shower.

Hunger had already set in and for the moment I forgot about my appearance. I reached over for what was left of my food and it hit me hard when I realized what I had would last only for today and then I'd be back at square one either tonight or tomorrow morning; that is to say, if I made it that long.

I ate in silence and didn't give the android one glance. I didn't care what he thought of me anymore. You know what…I didn't even care if I lived anymore. As soon as I was awake enough I'd make use of my foul mood and tell him off.

When that time came though, I hesitated. He still scared me, even though I told myself the fear was gone…for the most part. I still wasn't sure what I could get away with or not. Though, I had had about enough of his arrogance. He'd pay for making me suffer! I'll have my dad sue him! Yeah…whatever, Layrial.

I got to my feet and cracked my back several times before I made the first step towards him. This was it. He'd get what was coming to him. And if I could get my body to work right I'll slap him clear across that odd face of his. I felt as if I was being pulled into two pieces; the first being my confidence and might, the second being the dread and logic. I wished the second side was more powerful.

Cell's eyes followed me from their corners and watched me walk right up to him. I think he might've been a little surprised, if not curious. "I've got a bone to pick with you," I said firmly, although my heart was beating so hard and fast I thought it'd break my ribs.

"Really?" He said with amusement.

"Really," I repeated. "I want you to know that what you're doing to me is cruel, not to mention unhealthy and there's no possible way I can survive beyond today without food and at the most a shower!"

"You have plenty of water to keep yourself alive," was his only comment.

My eyes shot daggers at him. There was nothing more that I wanted in life other than to murder him myself. "Why you unimaginable, heartless bastard…"

The next thing I knew I was laying in utter pain in the corner I had spent the night in. My mind tried hard to replace the few seconds it somehow missed—I didn't see him move but I felt the impact of the cold tile. I cried out when I moved; the sharpness in my arm was too much to bear. I attempted to move my head, but anything I did made everything worse. I couldn't do anything except yell out. Even during my horrified screams, though, I heard him approach me with that certain squeaking sound with every step he took.

Cell stood over me and looked down like I was a mere insect that he was ready to squash. "I will not be insulted by you again, do you understand?"

I said nothing. My other arm reached over and held where I knew lay shattered bones inside weak muscles and skin. I wanted to die…that's all I wanted. If any sort of heavenly being cared enough for me, they'd let me die.

I spoke out in a raspy voice. "Please," I said. "Please…just kill me."

I figured he was thinking it over and he was trying hard to keep himself from granting my wish. I didn't want him to think though…I just wanted him to do it. "I beg you…don't let me live through this."

"Why in the world do you want to die?"

I looked up into those pink eyes again. There was just something about them that made me lose my mind. "Look what you're doing to me…I can't even move now."

"You've only suffered a broken arm, maybe a rib if anything more," he said as-a-matter-of-factly. "You're lucky that's all I did to you."

I shut my eyes tightly as to hold back the tears. "Damn you," I got out after a long moment.

"Say any more and I'll break a leg too."

I said nothing until he started to walk away. "Wait…you're going to just leave me here to suffer?"

He made no response, though; instead he leapt into the air and flew off. I followed his flight path until he disappeared into the distance. I didn't dare move. My imagination started going wild with thoughts that if I did try to move my bones would trickle down to my hand and collect in my fingers.

Since my watch was on the arm that had been broken by Cell, I had no way of timing him if he was going to come back any time soon. I don't know why I would've bothered anyway. The day the tournament finally came he'd be here sweeping away my carcass. I tried to come up with some logical explanation on where I had gone wrong since I graduated college. I wasn't used to drawbacks, limitations, or letdowns. Why now? And why did fate feel the need to put me through the agony I currently suffered?

My eyes stared up at the bright blue sky. There were a few scattered clouds and I started to pretend I could make out pictures with them—a horse; a boat; a damn bug. Curse him! I couldn't stop thinking about him and his stupidity…and…and….

Damn it to hell I was losing my mind. My good arm reached up and slapped my face with the desire and deep hope that it'd knock me out of an unconscious state and I'd find myself on a bus back to Eastern City. Or…maybe my fairy godmother would come floating down and offer to grant me one wish, where I'd restart May 9th, go to the office, and somehow convince Cerise to take the job of interviewing Cell instead of me. Actually, that wouldn't be fair. I don't think anybody deserved spending their last few days to live here with him.

I hadn't noticed until my eyes began to sting from the mixture of salty water and desert dust that I had begun to cry. And I let it come. I cried as if I was a little kid and my mother had taken away my lollipop because it was nearly dinner time. And it felt good; really, really good.

Before I knew it, however, the sun had suddenly gone out and I lay in the shadows of an unknown source. I opened my eyes and let the last tear drip away. Correction: I lay in the shadow of a known source—Cell. He towered over my helpless body, his face stern and unyielding, both hands curled into fists. I wondered if he had come back to finish the job.

"Here," he said and held out his hand. I blinked several times to remove any water that remained in the corners of my eyes and stared at what lie between his forefinger and thumb. It looked like a little green bean.

"What is it?" I asked, my instincts telling me it was a form of poison that would make me spike a fever and suffer before finally suffocating and passing out for eternity.

"Its called a Senzu Bean," he replied calmly, his demeanor having turned from enraged to cool and almost compassionate. "It'll restore your health."

"Do you expect—" I started, but his eyes narrowed and that cool stance disappeared and formed irritation.

"You can either take it from me or lie there and suffer for the next seven days," he barked, although softly. "Either way, it doesn't matter to me. You're of no use to me anyway."

Any other circumstance would've created my hand to slice through the air and whack the rudeness from the offending mouth. But I didn't have the strength, or the will to do so. Instead, I decided that there was nothing to lose; I took the bean and chewed it slowly. It had no taste, which I was grateful for, and it went down easily though my throat was as dry as the desert I lay in.

My eyes popped open and my heart gave a jumpstart. I couldn't believe it—I felt incredible. Any pain I had felt anywhere in my body had disappeared—my arm, side, ankle—everywhere. Even my stomach didn't have that terrible ache for nutritious food.

I sat up quickly and backed away from him a little, surprised that he hadn't walked away by now. Maybe he was waiting for the real effect of the bean to take over and to see how long it was before I choked and croaked. "Why…?" I asked, though, hoping for a decent answer.

"My temper had taken over before I could gain self-control." His tone was honest enough for me to accept the answer. "I had no intentions of hurting you until you verbally abused me."

"You mean bruised your ego," I said with a small smile, hoping he wouldn't lash out again. I prepared myself for the strike.

"But of course," was what actually came from his mouth and I relaxed. "I don't appreciate lower life forms to talk down to me."

"Lower life forms?" I asked quickly.

"Yes," he replied. "You're a mere human with no physical strength what-so-ever. I, on the other hand, am not only stronger than anyone on this planet, if not the universe, but my mind capacity can stretch much further in the wake of knowledge than yours."

"Oh ho," I said and got to my feet. "I disagree with that statement." His haughtiness faded a bit. "I'll admit you've got the strength part beaten compared to me, but I know a hell of a lot more than you do, buster."

"I doubt it."

"I graduated from high school in the top fifty in my class and for college I had a 3.5 GPA. Top that. I bet you didn't even go to school."

"I'll give you that," he started. "I didn't go to school, however levels mean nothing to me. Had you graduated as the valedictorian from both levels of education then maybe, just maybe, you might've caught my attention. However, you had not."

I gaped at him.

"Furthermore," he continued, making me stare in utter disbelief, "my design by enabled me with not only the fighting techniques I require to be the best, but also any trace of useful knowledge that would help me succeed in any quest I take upon myself. Your schooling is worthless, for the most part, and a good grade doesn't necessarily mean you learned anything in the time you spent sitting behind a desk."

I waited for him to continue, but finally he had gone silent. And so had I. There was nothing I could say to him at this point—even if I had tried to bring up another argument he wouldn't shot me back down to the little crevice I found myself in. I had no hope of crawling out of that spot unless Cell's plug had been pulled.