-1Eyes Of Water
Chapter 5
Purpose
By
Bulma
AN: I would love to thank everyone for the reviews! They mean so much to me and I do hope that you will continue to read. I read your reviews and want to thank each and every one of you of those who do! Oh and the story is taken from chapter 9 in the book, I just changed it a bit because I love it so much. I do not own the book Memoirs Of A Geisha or Dragonball Z so please do not take it as I do. Now onward with the story!
The world around Bulma seemed hazy. She was being carried and she was on her back. She stared up at the ceiling. It was dark and cold, but she was so sore and beaten she was denied the comfort of crawling into a small ball to gather warmth. All she could do was just lie there. Her bottom lip quivered as tears fell from the corners of her eyes as she gazed up at the ceiling. She was truly and utterly alone now. She missed her Mother and missed the way she used to feel so safe. But now, now she felt like an empty shell. She had nothing, nothing to fall back upon, nothing to look forward to.
In the distance she heard laughter and talk from the 4 walls of the moving vehicle Bulma found out as what she was on. But nothing mattered to this poor child. By the age of 10, she had lost her family, her only friend, and her home. What was left of her now? Where was her hope? Her faith? Her prayers? Suddenly the vehicle came to a stop. Bulma was not fazed as she continued to be lost in the recesses of her mind. If she was to die today, she would not mind it.
Bulma heard her cell door open and 2 Saiyans guards came in and grabbed her. Bulma whimpered in pain as they dragged her into the blinding light from the darkness and the soreness of her body. "Do not cry little worm! You will pay for your punishments!" hissed Mother as they brought her into the hell that was know as the Okiya from which Bulma thought she escaped from. Mother instructed the Saiyan guards to put Bulma to the office. They did and settled her down on the ground and Mother paid them. Mother bowed in respect for their job.
Mother then went to her seat by her desk. Hatsumomo and Kyoko sat by the door. Bulma, not bothering to wipe her eyes for seeing no use to, struggled to sit and then stand up. Her legs wavered but she managed to stand and stare straight into Mother's eyes. "Tsk, tsk, tsk Bulma; quite a debt you a building up. Lessons, meals, board, had to pay for your return, had to pay for you since your Father sold you, now I hear that your friend has run away as well, that will also will be added from Korin. Hmmmm, my my my…" Mother went on and on in her account books.
Bulma did not move, did not speak, did nothing but stare. Everything was dead silent til' Mother slammed her tea cup on the table. "WORTHLESS GIRL! I SHOULD BE BEAT YOU MORE! YOU HAVE COST THIS OKIYA SO MUCH MONEY! DO YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY FOR YOURSELF!" Mother screamed. "What will you have me say Mother? Nothing will change your mind or have you show mercy on me. If anyone needs to be punished it is Hatsumomo and Kyoko." Bulma spoke coldly. "Filthy worm! Do not speak my name! You are not worthy of my name, you make it sound like trash from that backwards home you came from!" Hatsumomo stormed and grabbed Bulma by her hair and Bulma cried down and fell upon her knees as Hatsumomo raised the bamboo stick that instantly appeared in her hand.
"Don't! A living rat is better than a dead lion. Hatsumomo put her down. She has been beaten enough." Mother raised her hand in disappointment. "But she!" "I know what she said, but even if you both did that, it was her choice to run. You both did nothing and I know you are not that stupid to betray me. So enough. You have won this battle." Mother calmly spoke. Hatsumomo smiled like a cat bathing in the sun after it's received warm milk and a good brushing from a loving owner. "Mother, you are too kind." Hatsumomo told her and threw Bulma sobbing upon the ground.
"Bulma, you will repay your debt to me. But you will not repay it as a Geisha, you will repay your debt by working her as my slave. You will be given 3 sets of clothes, all your personal belongs will be taken from you. You are to eat the least rations and to work long and hard for many, many years." Mother told her as she pulled out her pipe and began to smoke upon it. Bulma picked herself up from off the floor and bowed before mother, staring hatred at the mat below her. "I am not worthy." Bulma spoke softly through her tears. "Consider this as an alternative from killing you for treason." Mother's attention then turned to Hatsumomo and Kyoko by the door once more. "Hatsumomo, Kyoko will be your younger sister when the time comes. Apparently you have gotten your wish. Now, it's been a long journey and I am hungry. Bulma, go fetch us some tea and get started on dinner. Go now." Mother spoke coldly. Bulma stumbled from the ground and as fast as her tired and worn out body could muster she headed down to the kitchen.
-3 Months Later-
Bulma's lessons stopped, her life was once she thought hard now very difficult to keep up, and nothing seemed to mattered. The days would move in and would move out. Everything seemed like a hazy dream. What was the point to noticed, her life was over before she even could begin it and for what? She had risked everything and for what? To have it thrown back into her face and be kicked in the face. What made matters worse was that Andrea had escaped the nightmare. She was with her Mother and Father and family. She had a warm bed to sleep in every night. She was, as far as Bulma could tell, safe and warm in a loving environment. But Bulma was so happy for her. At least one of them could be happy and Bulma preferred it be her only friend if anything.
But it was all over now, there was not future, no present, and no past for Bulma. She was as if she was stuck in a corner and no where to go. But, like water, it makes a new path and so that is what Bulma did. She was no longer focused on escaping but more on surviving the next encounter with Hatsumomo or the next meal. Bulma was utterly alone in this world and she could depend on no one but herself. And so one day, beautiful as any spring day with flowers in bloom such as the cherry blossoms from the sacred Sakura tree, Bulma was sent to go get some medicine for Mother from a local drug store in town. Bulma looked filthy, she didn't receive baths, she was beaten and bruised, she was dirty, and she was just a child now of 11, for today was her Birthday.
There was no joy or happiness on this wondrous day for the young girl of 11. As Bulma entered the city, she saw other children playing and men and women of society running around in their busy lives to get from point A to point B. Bulma was well on her way, dodging groups of people to get to the drug store. Today it seemed busier than usual. Something was going on and Bulma didn't know what, nor that she cared. Suddenly a bunch of boys seemed to surround her. There were 3 of them. "Hey girl, why don't you hand over that money?" one of them said as he got in her way. Bulma clutched the money to her. "Please, I have to get medicine." Bulma spoke quietly as she felt so foreign and vulnerable. "Why do you need medicine? You are just going to die anyway dirty girl." another one of the 3 taunted. The third boy didn't bother talking he reached and pushed her over grabbing the money, the first boy dropped kicked her in the face as Bulma was on the ground and the second spit on her as they laughed and took off.
Bulma just laid on the ground, seeing no point in getting up. If she returned home without the medicine, it would add more to her debt and she would get beaten once again by Hatsumomo. It seemed everyone was against her for just existing in the world. Bulma's walls once again failed her as she laid on the side of the bridge she was crossing and tears fell down into the small river as she looked at her reflection. "My, what a sadden form we have here on a day so joyous and beautiful as today." said a gruff, young voice beside her. Bulma jumped and looked at someone sitting next to her. Bulma quickly brought her head down. She sniffled and tried to get up. A gentle hand reached out and grabbed her own. Bulma looked at the person.
It was a young boy, not much older than her, maybe around the age of 14 or 15. He had gravity defying hair and the blackest night and then deep obsidian eyes like bottom less pits. He looked strong for his age and a small smile on his face. Bulma had no idea who this boy was. Then she caught herself staring at him and quickly looked away. "Why do you look away? You have such unusual eyes…" he breathed. He stood up, he was a bit taller than her, but not by much. And for a Saiyan he seemed comparatively short for a man his age and size. "What is your name." the boy asked. Bulma sniffled and continued to look away. The boy grabbed the bottom of her chin and made her look at him.
"Who has harmed you little one?" he asked in such a gentle tone. Bulma stilled kept her eyes downcast. "Hmmm someone has been cruel to you…or perhaps life has been cruel it seems." he spoke softly. Bulma then couldn't resist looking away. His words touched her in a way that could only describe how she had been feeling all along. "Hmmm, what do I have to do to put a smile on that lovely face of yours?" He smiled as he finally got her to look at him and look into those beautiful, exotic eyes of hers. "Sir…you shouldn't waste your time on a foolish girl like me…please…" Bulma tried to plead. Her voice was so quiet yet surprisingly warm for someone who has been living like the cold snow.
"Hmm, well that is true, but I do not see a foolish girl before me. A girl with those eyes must be very charming and cleaver. Tell me, who gave them to you?" "My mother…" Bulma whispered quietly. "Well that was very generous of her, wouldn't you say? Now do those eyes that your Mother gave you have a name?" "Bulma…" "Sounds beautiful, like the ocean which rarely any on Vegeta-sei visit. It sounds suiting for you. Now, would you like some ice cream? I was on my way to get some when I saw this poor girl being tramped by a group of boys and she had worried herself to misery on this beautiful day." Bulma's cheeks turned crimson in shame and once again tried to bow her head, but the boy wouldn't.
"Come on, ice cream is the best. I'm sure you would like some." the boy told her. "To eat?" Bulma asked him shocked. The boy let out a chuckle. "Come on little one, oh and by the way, I am Vegeta. He took her hand and he lead her to the ice cream stand. He then bought her the biggest time ice cream Bulma had seen in her whole life. Then they went back to the bridge and ate. Bulma felt she was pulled into another world. Where she was not filthy, that she didn't sleep on the cold floor for only 3 hours, where she came from a loving family and everything seemed peaceful to her. They talked of many things and Vegeta had come to find that this girl was very intelligent; a very cleaver girl. But their happiness of the day was short lived when a voice had called out. 2 Geisha appeared with a very important old man at the crossed end of the bridge. "Prince Vegeta! Why have you escaped! We have to get to the play, sire!" The same age as the boy before Bulma called and the Geisha peered at Bulma despiteful that such a filthy girl could look and be near their money.
"No harm, no foul Hayate." Vegeta smiled at him. "Yes well your Father is pissed that you are late! Come on!" The boy came and went to him. Vegeta turned to Bulma. "Here, this should pay for the medicine those boys took from you and something extra for some more ice cream. But you must promise me something." Vegeta told Bulma as he handed her money wrapped in a handkerchief . Bulma looked at him and nodded for him to continue. "Next time you fall, I want you to smile and move on and think of me, all right?" he asked and Bulma smiled for him. "Yes Vegeta." Bulma told him politely. Hayate took this as to grab him and they headed away with a Geisha, each one to one of them and Bulma couldn't help but feel a pleasuring sickness if there is such a thing.
It was like a New Year's party with a bunch of your friends. You were happy to go to the party, but sadden to see it to go. Bulma jumped up and ran all the way to the sacred temple not too far. She ran all the way to the prayer well. The money the boy had given her was more than enough. It could have bought fish and rice for at least 3 months. But Bulma gave it back in prayer. She distributed the money, rang the bell once and made a wish, a prayer, a hope, a vow right there. That one day she would be able to step into his world; a world of kindness and then one day see him again to repay his act of kindness upon her because he taught her something that she never thought possible. He taught her that even in this world of Hatsumomo, and beatings, of taunting, and hardships of loneness there is kindness. He had taken a girl who had lost all hope of anything in her life, to one of purpose.
-Bulma
P.S. Moment Of Zen!
Here you are…a beautiful girl with nothing on Earth to be ashamed of. And yet you are afraid to look at me. Someone has been cruel to you…or life has been cruel.
-Chairman
"Memoirs Of A Geisha"
