A/N: Disclaimer I don't own anything in this story so don't think I can change the classic story.
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Chapter 7: A past revealed Part 2
As Rich was walking down a dirt road lost in his own thought about the people he left in Nermia he didn't take notice that the dirt road turned into a paved street and he didn't notice that he almost got hit by a hover car as it swerved out of the way do avoid him.
As the car stopped on the side of the road the drier got out and started yelling at him, " Hey punk watch where you're going next time." And Rich shot him a icy glare, the kind of glare that says, 'shut up or I'll kill you' and the driver shut up, got back into his car and took off like a bat out of hell.
Rich found himself in a city with skyscrapers and large T.V. monitors constantly showing this loud mouthed spouting nonsense about a Marital Arts Tournament being held this weekend. Rich blew it off as some local fighters probably not very skilled making a joke of themselves in front of a crowed. At least he thought that until he saw the highlights from the last tournament. As Rich was watching the screen he saw glimpses of the Z warriors powering up and throwing ki blasts and flying. Now that caught Rich's interests. Studying the images closely Rich saw that these weren't tricks like he'd heard some people claim. " I wonder if they have to use their emotions as well?" Rich asked himself and went to find a way to register for the tournament.
A couple hours later after Rich registered for the tournament he checked himself into a hotel and than went out for something to eat. The tournament was only a couple days away and Rich didn't worry about constantly working out. After spending the time in Nermia you learn to keep yourself prepared for a fight anywhere. Rich decided to eat at a small cafÈ around the corner of where his hotel was, from the registration he learned that he was in a place called Satin City and found out that it was named after the loudmouth on the T.V. Hercule Satan (sorry for any spelling errors). Rich wasn't very impressed with the supposed champ and found it odd that the people that could throw ki waves didn't beat him. ' Must be a scam,' Rich thought, ' there's no way they would lose if they weren't going all out. Although if I could do all those things I probably wouldn't want to be hounded like a dog by the media like this guy is.' And Rich went back to eating his food. As he was eating he saw a mass rush coming from on of the buildings a block or so away from him. As the people rushed by Rich noticed that they were all about high school age.
As the high school students poured out of Orange Star High one of the students caught Rich's eye. It was the same kid from the last tournament Rich saw highlights of. He didn't know his name but the look was the same, around Rich's height, gravity defying black spiky hair, black eyes, wearing some hideous orange pants a white shirt and a black vest. The kid looked like he was evading someone when a girl latched on to his arm. She came up to about his shoulder, short black hair, oversized white shirt with black bicycle shorts, and fighting gloves.
" Come on Gohan we need to get some more training in before the tournament!" she pleaded with the demi-sayian.
" Videl we need to take a break from training. You don't want to wear yourself out do you?" he shot back. Rich saw it plain as day they were a couple.
" Of course I don't want to do that but we need to be at the top of our game." She puffed out her arms, " I mean who knows what type of people will show up." She pointed out a table near where Rich was eating and the two sat down, ordered a couple of sandwiches and started some small talk.
' So his name is Gohan.' Rich thought. From his training in Nermia he could tell that this Gohan wasn't like a normal human fighter. The way he moved showed power but it was fluid like water. After finishing his burger Rich walked up to the table were Gohan and Videl were eating and he introduced himself.
" Hello I'm Rich Grayson. I couldn't help but overhear that you two were entering the tournament this weekend. I have entered as well. I look forward to seeing both of you there." He extended his hand friendly.
Gohan took it, " Thank you I'm Gohan and this is Videl" As Gohan shook Rich's hand it was like a test. Gohan squeezed a little and Rich countered it was friendly but also showed that Rich was no pushover in the arena. As Rich walked away Gohan turned to Videl and said, " He's not a normal fighter."
Videl looked questioning at him, " What do you mean?"
" I can't point it out but we should watch out for him." Gohan's voice wasn't talking of a near danger to them but of an odd curiosity about this new fighter that has appeared in Satan City.
After some training Gohan flew back home and his little brother Goten tackled him and his friend Trucks the son of West Cities genius Bulma Briefs. As the twin terrors tackled the older boy Gohan's mother Chi chi and Bulma came out to see what the commotion was all about. Only to find Gohan under the two kids, a smile came to both mother's faces at the sight. After Gohan got out from under the two he walked over to his mother and hugged her and turned to Bulma and said.
" I need to know if you can get some information on a fighter in the tournament?"
" Sure but why, I would think that you Sayjin's don't have anything to worry about?" Bulma pulled out her PDA and accessed the tournament participant information, " Ok who are you looking for?"
" A guy named Rich Grayson. Videl and I met him an the cafÈ outside of school, there was something different about him but I couldn't place it what does it say about him?"
" Let's see. Here it is. Rich Grayson, age: 18, Height: 6'3", from America," she scrolled down further but everything looked normal, " I don't see what's got you so worried Gohan everything looks like he's a normal kid from America that's in town for the tournament."
" Thanks Bulma. Maybe I was imagining things." He said and went inside to do his homework.
Fast-forward to the tournament.
Rich walked into the complex for the tournament, as he looked around he saw fighters of various levels of straights warming up or practicing their moves and then his eyes came over a group in the back corner he saw Gohan there with Videl, a shorter guy with the same gravity defying hair but his was taller, a even shorter man with short black hair standing next to a tall blond woman and next to her was bald fighter with a third eye in the middle of his forehead. Lastly there was a guy with green skin a baldhead, pointed ears and what looked like two ante coming out of his forehead. " He can't be human" Rich muttered to himself and walked over by them and sat down next to the wall.
" Hey Gohan isn't that the guy that talked to us at the café ?" Videl said into Gohan's ear.
Looking over to where she was motioning to see Rich sitting down leaning against the wall, " Yeah it is." He said trying to sense anything from him but all he felt was a cold concentration. After a moment Rich opened his eyes looking right at Gohan letting what he could control of his ki flow a little bit. Gohan's eye widened a bit at the feeling of Rich's ki and Gohan knew that he wasn't normal.
As the tournament started the first couple rounds went as expected. The Z warriors swept their rounds when Rich's turn came, Gohan watched his fight. Rich was fighting an unknown someone who thinks he has a chance to get to the semi finials if they're lucky; his only problem is he had to face Rich.
A/N: Now I'm not that good at writing fight scenes so bear with me.
The fighter rushed Rich throwing a right hook to the side of Rich's head. Rich smoothly dodged and countered by grabbing his right wrist and preformed a judo throw and launched him over his shoulder and Rich's opponent fell to the ground outside the ring, winning the match Rich walked back to the fighter lobby he passed Gohan and the other Z warriors, not looking at them just walked on by and sitting down where he did before.
Later on in the tournament Rich was paired to fight Tien the bald man with the third eye on his forehead. The fight started off as a stare off, waiting for the other to make the first move. Rich moved first charging but still holding back waiting for the counter. Rich threw a light jab but Tien slapped it away spinning around going for a attack on Rich's exposed back only to find Rich foot waiting for him kicking high Tien ducked out of the way and put a little distance between himself and Rich.
' He's good I'll give him that but he's still holding back. I better watch out for him.' Tein thought and waited for the next attack.
Now Rich decided for Tien's attack and he attacked fast. Almost to fast for Rich to follow he barely had his block up when Tein came in with a strong left hook knocking Rich back a step when Rich noticed something. ' These guys just use speed and strength but no technique. This guy has some but hell Ryoga has technique and I've beaten Ryoga so this guys a bit faster and maybe a bit stronger but I've been trained like this for a life time I think I can come up with something.'
Rich decided to push this guys buttons, getting into his stance he extended his left hand and signaled for Tien to rush him, daring him to attack and Tien took the bait rushing Rich, " come on, keep coming." Rich said as Tien attacked. A strong right hook which Rich ducked and kicked Tein in the jaw sending him skyward. Now is where Rich's plan backfires. He planned to kick Tien out of the ring as he came back down but he never did. Rich stared up at the sky jaw dropping at the sight of Tein hovering above the ground. " Now that's not fucking fair." Rich said to himself cursing every god he knew in his head.
" Damn that hurt," Tein said rubbing his jaw. He rushed again wanting to end this now but as he attacked Rich disappeared and showed up behind him, Using the speed training he learned from Cologne Rich attacked Tein's exposed back with a light version of the Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire Fist leveling into Tein's back like a jackhammer. Now as Tein was screaming in pain at Rich's attack to end the match Rich dragged him over to the edge of the arena and dropped him on the ground ending the match.
The other Z warriors stared in shock at Rich thinking Tein would be a shoe in to win the fight but with Rich's upset they would have to keep a close eye on him. After Rich was declared winner he dropped down to Tein and pressed a couple point on his back and cracked a few joints to ease the pain greatly. Once the pain was almost gone Rich said, " Sorry but I wanted to win. I hope you're not to mad at me. I would really like to spar with you again." He said as sincerely as possible.
Tein didn't know what to do here was a guy that made him feel pain that he hadn't felt since he died and here he was easing the pain and asking to spar. " Sure." Was all he could say as they both got up and walked back to the fighter lobby. Once there the Gohan and the others asked Tein what Rich said.
" He asked to spar. I don't understand this guy. He almost acts like Goku but in a fight he's cold and calculating taking in every detail of what's going on around him. There is something about him that worries me."
" Well that cinches it," Gohan said and walked out for the next match, him vs. Vegeta. Let's just say Gohan doesn't win it was a close match but Vegeta knocks Gohan out of the ring.
The next fight was between Piccolo (the green guy) and Rich. It started off the same way as the fight with Tein. Rich took the offence first but this time throwing a kick combo at the Namekian (again sorry for any spelling mistakes) fighter. Piccolo just blocked them and threw a strike at Rich's head which he dodged grabbing Piccolo's arm and twisting it behind his back. Thinking he has Piccolo where he wants him Rich was going to detain his opponents other arm to find it flying at his head by the hand. Looking down and the arm he did have detained only to find it stretched beyond what was physically possible for a human at least. Letting go of the arm Rich got into a battle stance he designed to reveal gaps in his defense only to lure the attacks were he wanted them to go. Piccolo took the bait and attacked Rich's legs since they looked like his balance was faulty. As Piccolo swiped Rich's legs he turned on his hands and proceeded to pull off what looked like a break dance move to Piccolo's head smashing it into the ground and pounding on it with repeated spin kicks.
After Rich stopped Piccolo kind of pissed off at himself for getting hit like that he decided to show Rich what he really had. Jumping in the air he sat there a moment long enough for Rich to say something, " Is there anyone besides me here that doesn't know how to fly?" when Piccolo launched a ki blast at him. Seeing it coming he planed his feet into the ring floor and prepared to block the attack. When the blast hit him he didn't really feel it. Rich had been hit by Ranma's Hiryu Soten Ha attack and Ryoga's attacks but this was noting like them, they at least knocked him back but this was like getting hit with a water balloon, nothing. As the smoke started to dissipate Piccolo expected to see Rich lying unconscious wining him the match when he hear, " What the fuck was that! I've had rocks thrown at me harder than that. Is that the best you can do?" he asked confused that a ki attack didn't really hurt.
' What is this guy?' Piccolo thought looking shocked that Rich was still awake. He'd purposefully lowered the power of the attack as not to kill him but he obviously didn't know Rich.
' Well if they're going to use ki attacks looks like I can pull out this baby.' Rich thought using one of the techniques he learned in Nerima that I didn't mention until now sorry but that's the way the cookie crumbles; also it's the only technique that he could learn using ki since it doesn't require emotion to use. Forming a small ball in his hands he shot it up at Piccolo who was just floating there. He hit him and immediately frost and ice crawled up Piccolo's leg starting to cover is entire lower half. Deciding to fight on the ground Piccolo landed stiffly. The ice didn't stop his legs from moving it just made it difficult to do so. Once he landed Rich immediately attacked going for the stiffened legs with Piccolo managed to fend off. Then Rich pulled an interesting move; Rich called out " Ubuge Batsu Tekunikku." (Translation "soft attack technique") and pulled the chestnuts roasting on an open fire but around one small area and attacked lightly with a strong punch to the middle to finish off the opponent, and it worked, Piccolo was out cold from the last strong hit rendering him unconscious. Once he was declared the winner Rich went over to Piccolo and pressed the same points he did on Tein so that when he woke up the pain he still felt would be at a minimum and thus the semi-finals came to a close.
" Man first Tein and now Piccolo who can beat this guy?" Krillan said to himself as Rich walked by and sat down in his normal spot.
" I will," Vegeta said arrogantly, " so he beat a weak human and a Namekian big deal. He won't last five minutes against the Prince of all Sayinans." And Vegeta went to win in his semi-final bout.
After Vegeta's quick clean up of his opponent Rich stepped into the ring with the Sayian prince. Rich got into is stance looking clam and collected while Vegeta didn't even get into a stance he just stood there posturing.
" Come on boy I haven't go all day here. Attack so we can all goes home." Vegeta said.
" Keep talking loud mouth and I'll send you home crying." Rich smirked. Clearly this Vegeta guy was prideful and you know what they say the Pride goes before the fall. And Rich was going to make sure that happened.
Vegeta charged Rich, ' How dare he insult the prince of all sayians! I'll make him eat his words and then his spleen.' He thought as the charged foreword.
Rich readied for the punch and shifted his weight slightly and brushed Vegeta's attack to the side, spinning around he was going to perform an elbow drop to his back but Vegeta blocked it and pushed away readying for his next attack.
Rich was doing a mental calculation of Vegeta's fighting style, ' Ok he's fast, strong and completely on the offence but his defense is solid. The only way I'm going to beat him is to take away his advantage which is everything but a lack of tactics.'
As Vegeta attacked again Rich spun around him and poked Vegeta in the middle of his back. Once slowing down and facing Rich wondering why he didn't attack. Vegeta had a puzzled look on his face when he realized do anything.
" What was that? Decided to give up by not attacking?" Vegeta boasting as usual not knowing what Rich did to him.
" Shut the fuck up man. You're posturing is really getting annoying. So attack or shut up." Rich chided back with a smirk attached for the desired effect.
Now that pissed the sayian prince off to no end again he changed but something was wrong. He was moving slower than he had in years, as if all of his strength was gone, and Vegeta being Vegeta he didn't draw attention to it and pushed on. When he hit Rich's jaw, now for those of you who don't know the DBZ crew these guys are use to punching into a mountain side and when Vegeta hit Rich's jaw it felt like every bone in his hand had been pulverized. Now grasping his hand in pain Vegeta's mind was racing with questions on how the could go from having complete control of the fight to being reverted to the strength of a baby. Now he tried to build his ki for an attack, if he couldn't physically hit him he would do it at a distance. Jumping back to gain distance he tried to charge up for a ki blast but noting happened.
" You can't use ki attacks since I pressed your moxubation point, it's also the reason your strength is gone. Unless I press the counter point you will stay like that. So if you still think you can beat me I would suggest forfeiting the match while you're still conscious." Rich offered being as generous as possible.
" Never! I have never nor will never back down from a fight!" and he charged yet again and Rich being as merciful as possible preformed a roundhouse to Vegeta's face K.O.ing him instantly and knocking him out of the ring. As with every other fight Rich walked over and released the moxubation point and a few others to take away some of the pain as he did with Piccolo.
After Rich collected his prize money and walked back to his hotel he noticed two people following him,
" Come on Videl why do we have to follow him?" Gohan asked following his girlfriend as they tailed Rich back to his hotel room. Once Rich was in his room he shut his door and locked it from the inside. Trying the door Videl growled in frustration not getting answers. " Ok the has an outside room. We can get in thought the window."
" Wait Videl were on the fifth floor there is no way we can explain this if we get caught! Besides why are we following him anyways?" Gohan asked
" Because if a normal guy can beat Tein, Piccolo and Vegeta he has to be like the strongest human in the world. Think about the stuff he could teach me that doesn't require a sayian heritage to get that strong. Besides you want to know as much about him as I do I can tell it." Gohan looked guilty at the last comment. Sure he wanted to know how a guy got that strong. That and wondering how he threw that cold ki attack like something out of a video game. So both Videl and Gohan flew out to were Rich's window was and found it unlocked so they entered.
The lights were off in the room and both parties entered as quietly as possible trying to gain the element of surprise. Rich appeared to be in bed fast asleep as the two approached him, " If you would like some answers I'm afraid they will have to wait till morning. I'm tired so leave me alone." And the temperature in the room dropped like a stone in a pond, several degrees in a matter of seconds.
Both Videl and Gohan booked it out through the window as fast as possible praying to Kami that he wouldn't call the cops on them for breaking and entering. Rich on the other hand went to sleep.
Present interruption: " So they broke into your room? Did you call the cops?" Terra asked eating some popcorn that she and the others had prepared as they listened to Rich's story.
" If you didn't interrupt me I was getting to that." He replied looking coldly and then concentrated on what happened next.
Back to the past:
The next morning Rich was walking around Satin City after reading the newspaper that was delivered to his room door in the morning. He got front page in the local paper; it brought a small smile to his face and then a sudden shock of fear. He used his real name, the CIA and other government agents . They would be all over this place in a matter of days. He needed to find an alternant place of residence for the time being. Cursing himself into oblivion for making a mistake like that so he gathered his things and paid his bill and left the hotel. Not five minutes after he left Videl and Gohan landed outside the hotel Rich just left looking to apologize for what happened last night.
Walking up to the counter they asked for if Rich was still checked in. The man said he just left and they might be able to catch him if they hurried. The thanked him for his help and rushed off to find Rich. They split up to cover more ground. Gohan scanned the city from the air looking for Rich's ki and found it a mile or so away from the hotel, " man that guy can move without flying." He commented to himself and flew off in the direction of Rich's ki after phoning Videl where Rich was and what direction he was heading.
About three minutes later they landed in front of Rich who was a little surprised to see them come out of the sky, he still wasn't use to that yet. " What do you guys want?" he demanded worried that they might be from the government set to kill him. He's a little paranoid at this point.
" We just want to talk," Gohan said, " Look we're sorry that we broke into your room last night we just wanted to talk to you about the tournament yesterday that's all." He raised his hands in an innocent gesture.
" Alright talk."
" How did you beat Vegeta?" Videl asked.
" I took away his strength." He answered flatly.
" How?"
" There is a point on the human body that is the center of the bodies strength if you will. By pressing this point you can shut off the strength and energies but not enough to kill someone, just make them weak like a baby."
" But Vegeta isn't human. He's a sayian."
" What the hell is a sayian?" Rich asked.
" We're an alien race of warriors from a planet that was destroyed there are only a handful of us left. I'm only half-sayian." Gohan explained.
" Well your shiatsu points must be the same otherwise the moxubation point wouldn't work."
" Well could you teach me some of those points?" Videl asked trying to look as pleading as she could. It didn't really work on Rich since he had the girls in Nerima hang all over him trying for him to do things for them so he became a master at avoiding the uber kawii attack.
" Only if you can help me in return. I need a place either out of the way or extremely secure to stay until the heat on me is turned down. Deal?"
" Sure but why do you need protection from someone?" Gohan looked confused.
" Look the less you know the better. Just get me out of here." Rich said urgently and Videl opened her capsule container and selected a hover jet, pressed the capsule and poof the vehicle appeared. Rich looked amazed at the level of technology that was here he climbed in the jet and they took off for Capsule Corp. since there was no room to stay with Gohan in the mountain district they would have to stay with Bulma and Vegeta.
'Oh well he beat Vegeta in the ring he can take care of himself.' Gohan and Videl thought as they flew out to West City. As they flew over to the Capsule Corp. complex the Q & A section of the flight began with a history lesson and ended with a story time about Rich's happenings in Nerima. Once they landed Bulma greeted them at the front door with Vegeta in tow. He was going to attack Rich when Bulma intervened and told her husband that he would be staying on one of the guest floors (after all she is like the riches woman in the world her house is like the size of the Mall of America, they have an extra floor or two). After Rich got settled he took a walk around the place to get a feel for it, he came upon a door marked G–Room 3. Wondering what was inside he opened the door and stepped inside. There was nothing special about the room; it has some weighs and what looked like a computer that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. Walking over to the computer looking device he hit the on button and a voice came over the intercom "Gravity room 3 activate. Select gravity setting."
" Whoa this is cool." Rich said and hit 2X gravity. The machine came to life with a slight humming sound and without further warning Rich felt like someone piled a stack of weights all over his body. " This in incredible." And Rich decide to work out for a while seeing if he could get use to the gravity change. At first it felt like he was training in water, his movements were slow as his muscles tried to keep his arms and legs in the air while he worked out. After a couple of hours he came out of the Gravity room sore and tired and walked back to his room. Somewhere else in the house Bulma was watching the security cameras. She had his whole workout on tape and she smiled to herself.
" I can't believe he actually beat Vegeta. Serves the lug right acting cocky all the time." She said and put the tape away as she got ready for the night.
A/N for simply writing purposes Rich will be staying at Bulma's and Vegeta's for his time with this group
After a couple of months Rich thought it was safe to leave the building especially after all the complaining Bulma was giving him about not seeing the city and getting some fresh air. As he was walking around West City window-shopping when the sound of gunfire caught his attention running around the block to see a bank robbing in posses. Rich heard the screams of the hostages the robbers had taking inside the bank. Going around to the back entrance he used the 'soul of ice' technique to freeze the lock and broke it like peanut brittle once inside he took out some of the straggling bank robbers with an eerie silence working his way to the bank room floor. He moved next to one of the hostages joining them to see what was all going on.
The police were outside trying to negotiate with the robbers and get them to surrender, negotiations weren't going well and the robbers were taking pot shots at the cops to make a point. Rich was getting impeccant on the inside and slipped away thinking of a plan he caught site of the sprinkler system an a thought came to his head. Tripping the system the sprinklers went off getting every room soaked with water. Once they shut off the sprinklers Rich went to work. He knelt outside the door to the main room and with the 'soul of ice' started to freeze the robbers cloths literally incasing them in ice immobilizing them then walking out from where he was he untied them he was praised up and down, he was even kissed by a young girl around a year or two older than himself. Chuckling a bit Rich went out thought he back door as he left he saw Videl standing out there waiting for him
" Nice job Rich. Where did you learn that technique?" she asked with her arms crossed.
" I learned it in Nerima. Why are you here?"
" I help out the police once in a while. Look I'm sorry about the whole hotel room incident and I want to apologize." But Rich held up his hand to stop her.
" I already forgave you. I've had some experience with people breaking into my room and wondering about me. It's a common thing with me as much as I travel one gets use to telling a life's story. Don't be sorry for being curious it's natural. I just wish I wasn't such a problem to people I'm around like I'm cursed." Rich said as the two of them walked away from the bank.
Back at the Capsule Corp. complex Vegeta stopped Rich in the hallway to the elevator. Vegeta didn't like Rich living there in is house while he stayed he caught a glimpse of his training and was impressed with the human that he was so skilled and was still a little angry that Rich beat him in the tournament.
" Boy come here." Vegeta demanded.
" What do you want Vegeta. Look I know you don't want me here but it's the only place I'm safe at the moment."
" Shut up boy and listen. I want to help you. You seem like a competent human and for some odd reason I like you. You remind me of myself a bit. Come on I'll give you some training you won't soon forget." And the two of them walked to one of the grav-rooms. They emerged four hours later with Rich exhausted and Vegeta with a couple of new bruises and cuts on his arms. Rich had found out that these guys could make ki attacks without the necessity of emotion, finally Rich could learn to use ki attacks besides the 'soul of ice', which really isn't ki but a form of environmental control. Creating cold from within his body before expelling it out from through his hands, but after a few lessons with Vegeta he was able to blast a hole in the wall with his ki energy and he was being taught how they fly but that was a little harder to learn that making an attack. It took a month and a half to learn to fly with as little energy use as possible. His fighting got faster as well but he kept his style fighting. As he noticed the others are just punches and kicks they utilize no style in there fighting. He didn't become as fast as the rest of them but he could still beat them in a one on one fight.
After a year Rich took a trip up to kami's lookout to meet the guardian of earth. Another Namekian named Dende and his companion a black person with an Indian accent and a turban, his name is Mr. Popo.
" Hello everyone. I see we have a new visitor. Yes I know about you Rich and what you've done here. I'm proud of you but you still have a long way to go before your ready to go home." The green skinned guardian said resting his hand on Rich's shoulder.
As time went on in West City Rich was going nuts without something to do to occupy his time as he stayed at the Briefs household. Gohan and Videl were in school all day, the others had jobs except for Vegeta and he didn't want to spend all day in the grav-room training. So as Rich was walking around he found himself in Bulma's workshop and decided to have a look around he sat down at the workbench and went thought the scrap bins by the desk looking for anything to take his mind off the boredom of sitting around all day. Gathering some circuits, wires, and a few other things Rich went to work building what ever he thought of and in a short time he had a device that could interface with any computer system or machinery and navigate it with voice commands, a new watch that was water proof but also set itself and didn't need batteries its powered by his natural ki waves that he gave off, and he was currently making a satellite phone for himself that would work anyplace on the planet even underground a couple feet but was having trouble getting parts as well as a pair of glasses that not only tint to the sun but have a moldable frame and a ventilated seal for around the eyes like goggles for skiing but he was designing them for when he flew cause of the wind and wouldn't dry out his eyes. Bulma was more than happy to help him get the materials he requested and asked if Capsule Corp. could have a share in the patents if he got any. Rich agreed that they could have the soul patents but he wanted 40 of the profits off his inventions and it's tech he was developing. They shook on it and Rich went to work designing his reception guaranteed phone, and moldable glasses.
It's been almost two years since he arrived absently in Satan City and thought it time to move on the others were sad to see him go. He learned a lot from these guys and was going to miss them like he did Ranma and the Wreaking Crew in Nerima. It seemed that Rich was making friends everywhere he went. Anyone that knew him before could tell the emptiness that's in his eyes was starting to go away and life was returning to them.
Bulma offered to buy him a car with all the money from the new patents but he refused, after all who needs a car when you can fly. However Rich still preferred to walk places instead of fly. "It's just he way he is." Gohan said watching his friend wave goodbye to them and headed out on the road.
As he walked north he came to a city called Hinata. Walking around the town he heard the sound of a shrieking heard in the sky. Seeing what looked like a man screaming in primal fear streaking crossed the sky so Rich jumped into the air and flying at the man and caught him before he hit the ground.
" Thanks but I'm a little confused on how you can fly mister. By the way names Keitaro Urashima." He extended his hand. Rich took it and shook it.
" Rich Grayson pleased to meet you. Might I ask why you were heading for orbit?" he inquired.
" The girls at my dormitory have a strong sense of…justice." He said meekly.
" Well do you need a lift home?" Rich asked.
" Sure it will shock the hell out of the girls when I get home so fast." And Keitaro climbed on his back and they took off into the sky.
After getting directions from Keitaro they landed at the top of the steps of Hinatasou. Rich read the sign posted at the door. Girls Dormitory and under it in red letters it says no males allowed. Rich felt a chill run up his spine at the ki's he sensed inside the old Inn.
" Come on in but don't go far or the girls might attack you so just stay here for now." Keitaro told him and went inside.
Behind him Rich smelled the sent of alcohol before he turned around to see a rather beautiful woman opening the door with a flushed face showing her recent drinking. Not looking up she grabbed his shoulder for stability, feeling it a bit she said, " Oh Keitaro have you been working out?" and when she looked up to see Rich glaring over his shoulder. Her mind was reeling with thoughts, ' who's this guy? He's cute. Where is Keitaro? Who cares I like this new guy. Wonder if he's single.' Moving closer to him and leaned her head towards his ear and pressed her cleavage against his arm, " Hey new guy I'm Mitsume Konno but everyone calls me Kitsune. Care to join me in a drink?" she said as she started to feel his chest.
As Rich was trying to get the girls hands off him he felt two strong ki presences enter the room. As Naru and Motoko came down the stairs they spotted Rich with his hands around Mitsume's wrists trying to fend her off but it looked like to them that he was attacking her. Dropping the girl's wrists to see longhaired red head shouting, " DIE PERVERT!" and raised her fist to hit him. Rich just stood there and took the hit. As Naru's fist connected with Rich's chins a sickening crunching sound could be heard and she grasped her broken hand in pain. Now Motoko who left the punishment of the male to Naru went into action at her friend's situation.
" Foul demon! I shall banish you from this house." And as she charged about to draw her sword Rich appeared behind her and held it in its scarab.
" Now I don't think we need to shed blood now do you?" Rich said into her ear and Motoko's face paled in fear at his skill and ability to get behind her in the blink of an eye.
Now Keitaro came down to see Kitsune passed out on the floor, Naru on the floor clutching her hand in pain and Rich with his arms around Motoko's body holding her sword in its sheath. " What happened?"
" Well this lady," Rich gestured to Kitsune, " Started to feel me up as soon as she came thought the door thinking I was you. Then these two attack me without provocation. The redhead broke her hand on my chin and I managed to stop this one from drawing her weapon. You know I could have the three of them arrested for attempted murder and sexual assault."
At once the atmosphere in the room changed from angry to apologetic. The girls started spouting apologies left and right saying that they were wrong and they didn't mean to do anything. Rich took pity on them against his better judgment. It was the look on Keitaro's face that made him feel sorry for these girls and let it slide since he didn't get hurt but Naru would have to be taken to the hospital to get the bones reset in her hand. Rich, Keitaro and Motoko took Naru to the hospital while they left the other girls a note where they were but not telling them any details.
While at the hospital Rich observed Motoko. She was tall for her age almost as tall as Rich, she had long raven black hair that came down to the middle of her back, she was wearing a red and white gi and as mentioned before she caries a sword. As he was studying her she in turn was studying him. Rich had changed over the years his black hair was now shoulder length, he wore a black duster style of trench coat with a black shirt underneath and blue jeans as well as he usual combat boots. His hair was tied back in a ponytail to keep it out of his steel gray eyes. Rich felt strong ki energy in the young woman before him and asked about it, " What school did you study from?"
" I am heir to the God's Cry School. And yourself?" she replied coldly
" No particular school just a bunch of teachers on this little journey of mine. I'm sorry about the misunderstanding back there. I didn't have any control of that women."
" Konno-chan can be a little forward when she's had a few cups of sake. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions, as I'm sure Naru-sempai is." She said bowing to him, which he returned.
After they got Naru's bones set they all went back to the dormitory where the other girls were waiting for them. Rich had discovered that Keitarto has recently been accepted into Tokyo University with Naru but he hasn't attended any classes due to a broken leg. Motoko is still in high school and is working on fulfilling her role as the God's Cry Schools successor. Miss Konno is from what Motoko told him has a job as a freelance writer but spends most of her time drinking. He was also told of the old Inn's other residents a one Kolla Su who is a princess from an island nation, they described her personality as a mad genius with the energy of a child, and the other girl was Shinobu Maehara, she was shy, had short blue hair and seemed embarrassed at the sight of another male at the dorm. Although Rich wasn't like the guys Mitsune tries to bring home with her from the bars and he wasn't some pervert that Motoko and Naru always warned her about. He seemed kept to himself and didn't ask a lot of questions. From what she was told he caught Keitaro when Naru punched him out of the building after slipping on something and falling into her. As usual she over reacted and set him flying like she always did.
Rich was surprised that Keitaro was still alive after what he heard but who was he to judge, a bus could hit him and he can walk away without a scratch and fly so this didn't come as a big shock to him. They invited him to dinner as an apology for earlier and he accepted. As started eating he was amazed by the taste of the food. " Wow Shinobu this is really good!" Rich said. The young cook blushed at the compliment thanking him under her breath. He chuckled and continued eating. Su was bouncing around the whole time saying that Rich was her new playmate.
' I wonder how fast he is? Motoko said he was faster than her so I'll test him. I wonder if I could us my new balloons?' Su thought and a mischievous grin showed on her face as she stared at Rich for a while.
' His presents is strange,' Motoko thought, ' he looks like he's trained to fight his whole life but hides it well. I wonder how strong he really is?'
Meanwhile Naru was still mad that there was a guy in the house besides the manager, ' Stupid pervert. Probably plotting what he's going to do to us if he stays here.' She thought bitterly.
Mitsune was in seventh heaven as she sat crossed from Rich and she was staring at him 'measuring him up' so to speak. ' I wonder if he's single?'
Rich up from his plate to see Motoko, Naru, Mitsune and Su staring at him with different expressions on their faces. ' Man is it everywhere I go they want to either kill me or kiss me' looking at Naru he said, " What?'
Snapping all four girls out of their gazes Naru had a confused look on her face, " Huh?"
" I asked what? You were staring at me. Do I have food on my face that I don't know about?"
" No."
" Than what are you staring at?"
" I'm trying to figure out why you are here and if you're a pervert."
Rich wasn't surprised at hearing her answer after she charged him earlier giving her the broken hand and all. " I don't think he's a pervert Naru. I think he's the hottest guy in the dormitory." Mitsune said giving him a sly grin.
" Hey!" Keitaro spoke up almost angry.
" Sorry honey but the truth hurts you know what I mean Motoko?" she looked at the resident kendo girl who's face flushed. It was true she found him attractive but his ki threw her off from liking him like she secretly liked the landlord.
" Hey Su I thought Sarah was going to join us tonight?" Shinobu asked the blond 14 year old.
" Na Seta's home for a while now so she's spending time with him now. Hey Rich do want to come play with me?" she asked bouncing up and down in he spot.
Rich took the looks from the other residents that the normal definition of play wasn't the same with this girl but its not like he could get hurt right.
" Sure Su I wouldn't mind that. But only for a while I need to find a place to stay for a few days." He said getting up and leaving the table.
As he left the table and followed the tanned genius to her room which and a small jungle in it the others discussed his presence at the dorm.
" I don't like him." Naru said crossing her arms in front of her careful not to hit her hand on anything.
" Why Naru? He's cute." Mitsune asked.
" Because he's probably a pervert. God knows what he's doing to Su right now. Plus he broke my hand!"
" You did that to yourself Naru." Motoko said flatly, " He didn't do anything wrong and we attacked him. We jumped to a wrong conclusion and you paid for it. Don't go blaming others for your mistakes Naru."
' Why don't they think like this before they attack me?' Keitaro thought in defeat. " Well I think we should offer him a place to stay for the night. Knowing Su she'll have the guy tired out in a couple of minutes."
" Yeah, Grayson-sama doesn't seem like a bad guy Naru why don't you like him?" Shinobu asked quietly but never got an answer since she got up from the table huffing in a fit of rage that she was over ruled.
" I didn't expect Motoko to side with the pervert." She said to herself as she stomped up the stairs to her room when she changed direction and headed for Su's room. She found the two of them talking about inventions they've made, Naru cursed that she didn't have anything to throw him out of the building on when Su asked him to join her in a game of hide and seek. As they entered further into the room and Rich saw the jungle environment he stopped cold, fell to his knees and howled in pain as he grasped his head. The screaming could be heard throughout the whole dorm and everyone rushed thinking Su had almost killed him. As they burst in the door they saw Rich in he fetal position mumbling to himself, something about aborting a mission and crying out names. The last thing he said was " WHY GENERAL?" and he passed out from exhaustion.
He was out for a day and a half when he came to he was in the main room looking up at the ceiling. " What happened?" he said tiredly.
" We were hoping you could tell us, you started screaming and collapsed on the floor in Su's room. So what happened?" Motoko asked. All the residents took turns watching him for a few hours and it was Motoko's shift.
" It's nothing." He lied and she wasn't going to let it go.
" Don't lie to me Grayson-sama. I know a thing or two about liars so don't try. Now I will ask again. What happened in Su-chan's room?" this time with more force her hand on her sword handle.
" You don't want to know. Trust me on that once you hear it you won't sleep right for weeks." He avoided the question.
" Tell me anyway. You would be surprised at what I can sleep through."
" You fight demons I take it?" she nodded, " Well there easy. Not human. You wouldn't be able to handle what I've seen. The feelings I've felt doing things I was told to." Rich's eyes went out of focus remembering things long buried. He shuttered at the images. One of the curses of a photographic memory, the vividness never goes away.
At this time Keitaro's aunt Haruka walked in the dormitory looking for her nephew and found Rich sitting on the couch talking to Motoko. ' Well that's interesting. She's actually having a conversation with a guy that isn't Keitaro. I wonder who he is?' the elder Urashima thought as Shinobu spotted her.
" Oh Haruka nice to see you, what are you looking at?" and the girl turned to see Rich was awake. " Oh good he's awake." And she went to tell the others.
Rich sensing Haruka's ki turned around to see the older woman looking at him. He stood up and she walked into the room and introduced herself, " Hello I'm Haruka Urashima."
" Rich Grayson. Pleased to meet you." But as soon as he said his name she was on the defensive.
She pulled away from him and put herself between him and Motoko, " What's wrong Haruka-dono?" Motoko asked confused at her reaction.
" Do you guys know how he is?" she shouted. Now the others were at the doorway since Shinobu got them and heard Haruka's screams, " He's a terrorist, a U.S. government weapon that went a-wall on them and torched a military complex. He's dangerous."
After she said that the room started to get colder, soon they could see their breath and all eyes turned to Rich. Frost was showing at his feet on the ground and his eyes held a cold emptiness to them, " I. AM. NOT. A. WEAPON!" he yelled and enunciated each word loudly. The fear was apparent in the room as Rich started to calm down. Once the room temp regained its normal level he looked into Haruka's eyes and asked, " What have you heard about me?"
" That you're an American science project. That you went ballistic and blew up a government complex. That you've been on the run for the past three years. That your body count is in the hundreds. I leave anything out?"
Rich just stood there in silence, " Is that true?" Motoko asked shaken.
" Most of it." He answered, " But I don't go a-wall. I was part of a project called Atlas, genetically enhanced soldiers trained from adolescence to be an elite strike unit. Only two of us are alive today. The rest are dead."
" Why do they want you dead?" Haruka asked lighting a cigarette.
" Cause I know too much. They stopped the project over a financial issue and we were scrapped and our lives didn't mean anything to them. We were expendable." He said as he hung his head lower almost ashamed at his past.
" What happened to your friends?" Motoko asked but received no answer
The silence was suffocating the others who also wanted to know about his past but they wouldn't get anything from him today. He just sat there and the others went off to think about what just happened.
Later that day Rich took off leaving the others a note saying thanks for the hospitality and goodbye. He was walking down the stairs in front of the dorm and was passing the Tea House at the bottom Haruka stepped out lighting another cigarette. " Where you going?"
" I've been enough trouble here. Why call the feds to take me away?"
" No but I could use some help in here. Mind giving me a hand?" Rich shook his head and followed her in to the Tea House. The place was packed with customers waiting for their food. She tossed him a menu and asked, " Can you cook anything on there?"
" Yeah."
" Good get going." And she turned away leaving him to work the kitchen.
" Looks like another café job." He said to himself and started filling orders. Rich was a good cook so the customers left full and happy. At the end of the day while Rich was cleaning up the kitchen Haruka came around the corner and said
" You're hired." She threw him some sheets and pointed to a door in the back, " there is a spare room back there. You can use it as long as you work here. And we open at 7:30 in the morning so be ready by at least quarter after." And she disappeared back thought the door she came in.
" How does this keep happening to me?" he asked rhetorically and went in the back room finding a small room with a bed and dresser.
The next morning Keitaro woke up and looked at he's clock saying it was 8:00 a.m. so throwing on some clothes and having breakfast with the girls he went down the Tea House to ask his aunt about yesterday with Rich and if she knew anything about is note he left. When he entered the Tea House he found a couple customers chatting with Haruka and sounds coming from the kitchen. Now Haruka usually didn't have any workers normally so he wondered who was in the kitchen. Looking around the order table Keitaro saw Rich working the grill like a pro.
" Rich what are you doing here. Your note said you'd left yesterday."
" Well your aunt roped me into to working here and she set me up in the spare room in the back so I might be around a while." He said bringing an order to be served.
Keitaro walked away and headed back up the steps and got ready to go to prep school and told the girls that Rich was helping out Haruka in the Tea House. It was a mixed reaction Naru was mad, Motoko held a netural expression; Mitsune was excited along with Su who kept going on about her new playmate and ran to her room and Shinobu wasn't sure what to think of him, yes he was handsome but he was also cold sometime literally and she was scared of that.
On Rich's break he heard someone in the bushes by the back of the teahouse and Su popped out with two water balloons in her hands. She threw both balloons and him and missed, pulling two more out she launched the next volley and missed again but the splash caught Rich in the face a bit and the water was scolding hot. Stopping to think he asked Su, " Why are you using hot water?"
" Cause I wanted to know if these new balloons kept the water hot, it's been like a week since I filled them and the water is still hot. Good thing to know my thermal balloons work."
" Thermal balloons?"
" Yeah anyone can use cold water, so I decided to make ones that can hold hot water. They also keep the hot water from burning your hands so you can hold them better. Cool huh?" she smiled.
" Yeah cool. How many of these things to you have?"
" Tons. Want to play?"
" Not right now. I'm on my break but I have a few friends in Nerima that would love to play with these." Rich said and pulled out his phone dialing the Tendo dojo.
After a couple of rings someone picked up, " Tendo household Kasumi speaking can I ask who this is?" she said in her usual sweet voice.
" Hi Kasumi long time no see it's Rich."
" Oh Rich it's been what a couple years? How are you?" she asked.
" Oh I'm fine. Listen is Ranma there?"
" Why yes he is just give me a moment." She put the phone down and got Ranma.
" Yo Rich what's up?" he heard Ranma ask.
" I think I found something to help you and your curse. I have here a friend who has invented a new type of water balloon. Interested?"
" What do I need water balloons for?"
" These can hold hot water for at least a week without it getting cold."
" WHAT? Really? Don't be pulling my leg here Rich." Ranma warned.
" I'm not messing with you Ranma. Listen give me a couple of days and I'll bring some over alright?"
" You better. Man I can't believe you man this is great. See you soon ok?"
" Sure just don't tell Nabiki right now ok."
" Sure thing see you soon." And he hung up jumping up and down. It wasn't a cure but it would help him stay in boy form easer than taking a bath or heating up a kettle.
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A/N: I'm going to stop it there because it's getting too long for my writing anyways. Hope you like the DBZ parts and the Love Hina bits so far. And as far as Rich's return to Nerima that should be interesting in the next chapter. R&R as always.