About It's My Life: I've always been intrigued by what happened during the seven years but not just to 18 and Krillin but everyone. How did Chi-Chi handle her pregnancy? What made Vegeta and Bulma decide to get married and how did Yamcha feel about it? Do Gohan even know who Videl was before he met her at high school? So, a while ago I decided to write my own version. Instead of a story this is more like an extended filler. The story is based on the song It's My Life by Bon Jovi as every chapter starts with a line from the song so I hope you all enjoy it.

Mailing List: I have a mailing list for all my stories so if you'd like to join it email me at bulma_for_vegeta@hotmail.com.

Disclaimer: I, of course, don't own Dragon Ball Z or any of its characters. I also don't own It's My Life by Bon Jovi.

It's My Life

Chapter 3: Cracking Mirrors

~*~

I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd

~*~

Somewhere, along way away, a tiny crack became evident in an old, abandoned mirror.

~*~

She came again and again, though she knew it was stupid. He, of course, caught and they went through the same ritual of arguing before sharing a breakfast he made. He didn't care that it appeared, at least to some, that she was using him.

To tell the truth, she wasn't using him. But then again, she wasn't sure what she was doing. Conflicting opinions and emotions were her only comfort when she was alone. One half, the human half, told her she had feelings for him. The other half, the android half, told her to stop being weak.

She wanted someone to help her make sense of everything, and she was dying to ask him if he felt the same. Did the same conflicts rage inside of him as they did her? At least then she would know whether she was insane or not.

When she left him, she didn't go anywhere in particular. She had given up looking for her brother and to a certain extent she was glad he wasn't around. She could do what she wanted, without his chauvinistic manipulation. She could wrestle with her mind and scream blue murder, without him asking her why she was acting like a lunatic. He was too macho to understand what she was dealing with. If he wanted her, he could search her out himself. She had no time for him anymore.

She liked to fly, it cleared her head. When it got too difficult to concentrate on thinking and flying she would just float in the air, lost in thought. On more than one occasion, she had lost control and almost fallen flat on her face.

Snuggling into the beach chair, 18's eyes sank shut. Cool autumn breezes tousled her hair and softened her face. Far above, Krillin watched his angel sleep. He could have done it forever.

~*~

"You're no angel!" a voice bellowed. She spun around, gasping at the many faces that spoke in one voice.

"Leave this place, someone like you doesn't belong here!"

"We all hate you!"

"You hurt my husband!"

"You killed my sister!"

"You ruined my life!"

"Home wrecker!"

Screaming blindly, the anger that swelled around her was intoxicating as well as suffocating.

"Leave me alone, I didn't do anything!" she begged the many faces. A face she recognized danced in front of her, tormenting her.

"You're a fool!" She gasped, at the face and endless tears poured down her cheeks.

"Krillin!"

~*~

Krillin was dragged from a half-conscious state as he heard his name being called from below.

18!

He dived out of bed and jumped out the window landing swiftly on the sand. In the darkness, he could see 18 sitting up in the beach chair, her head in her hands.

"18! 18, are you alright?" His voice was defeated by a crashing wave and he gazed out to sea and noticed the ferocious surf.

A storm was brewing and it was coming fast.

A loud sob escaped 18's lips and Krillin dashed over to check on the object of his affections.

Rocking herself backwards and forwards with her arms wrapped around her knees, 18 sobbed. Krillin was taken aback. He'd never seen the brave android/woman cry. She hadn't noticed him and he was scared as to how she would react if he tried to comfort her.

Spontaneous drops of rain spattered the island.

Crossing the short distance between 18 and himself, Krillin softly called her name again. This time she reacted.

"What do you want?" she bristled immediately but her silver tears still hung in the corners of her eyes and in lines down her cheeks.

"Are you alright? You're crying," Krillin extended an arm to comfort her but she battered it away.

"Thank you for pointing that out to me, Mr. Obvious," she muttered sarcastically.

Either he didn't hear or he chose to ignore it as Krillin continued on, "You called my name," he asked more than stated.

"I did no such thing," she declared. They both knew she was lying.

"What's wrong?" Krillin asked, his concern lathering his simple question.

"Nothing that concerns you, baldy. So just leave me alone."

Not discouraged, Krillin ploughed on, determined to find out why his angel was upset, "Something must be upsetting you, people don't just cry for no reason."

"Well, I'm no ordinary person. Or haven't you noticed yet!" she spat her words at him sharply, causing him to flinch.

"I didn't mean that," he mumbled.

Rain started to pour as the rumbling storm hung over their heads. Both were instantly soaked.

"Why can't you just leave me alone? God, is that so hard for you to do? Is your bald head too thick?" She knew she'd regret every word one day but right now she couldn't care less. She had a reputation to keep intact and no one was going to take that away from her. Right now, she needed something to retain, something to hold on. Something that wouldn't hurt her. She needed a something that contained a shred of her disappearing identity.

Krillin stared at her, slightly hurt. He knew she didn't mean what she said because she was upset. It didn't make it hurt any less. He was trying so hard to make her feel happy. He couldn't bear to lose her angel. He'd risked the whole world to make her happy and to see her in tears was breaking his heart. He couldn't stand not being able to make her smile, not that she smiled very often. Or at all.

~*~

The crack spread up the mirror till it was almost in two pieces. Nonetheless, it remained in its casing, holding on till its time came.

~*~

The rain was bitter and cold and the lightening and thunder contested across the skies. So close it was, that with every flash across the heavens a two second echo of boom accompanied it.

Bulma watched the spectacle from the sanity of her French doors. Vegeta had still been in the gravity room up until half an hour ago. The storm had hit with such speed and intensity that she had insisted he get out straight away. She'd shut down all the computers and cameras. She was worried that if the lightening hit close it would send a surge through and crash all the computers. She couldn't afford to lose all her files.

Trunks was safely in bed but she knew it wouldn't last. The storm was so loud even with the soundproofing that was welded into the walls of the house. It was only a thing layer so they could still hear the background noise. In the world they lived in, Bulma knew they had to be on constant alert. Or at least stand by.

Vegeta was not particularly happy about being heaved out of his Gravity Room. Even if it was drawing close to midnight, he liked to train as long as he could. They both knew he couldn't keep it up. Bulma wanted to do something about it but Vegeta refused to budge from his stance. She knew that if she didn't do something his body would. Then maybe he would heed her words.

With someone as stubborn as the Saiyan Prince there was no way of knowing.

~*~

Their hair was pinned to their faces from the rain and they could barely hear each other over the drone of the storm and the thrashing of the waves. Even so, they continued to argue over the previous events. 18 swore by the denial that had called Krillin's name. Krillin swore she had. Neither would give in and the fight raged on, as did the storm.

It was perfect backdrop to a bitter page in a brief history.

"Look, this is stupid. It's pouring rain out here. The least you can do is come inside for the night," Krillin was practically begging.

"I told you, I'm not coming inside, at all, ever," she huffed angrily.

"Why not? It's not like you're going to get infected or anything. No one is going to eat you."

18's eyes flashed dangerously, she was beyond livid.

"I don't need you or your stupid house and I don't want it, so just stay out of my life. Is that so hard for you to do?"

"You can't leave now, not in the storm."

"I'll do what I want," she argued angrily. She blasted a ki attack into the distant in annoyance. It was furious with power and destroyed a mountain not too far away.

"Blowing up things isn't going to fix anything," it was as if he was talking to a child. 18 saw it too.

"I'm not a child, you can't tell me what to do. You led yourself into this by trying to befriend me. I DON'T NEED YOU!"

Krillin was unfazed, "I'm not saying you do. But everyone needs a friend."

~*~

The crack continued to grow, spreading out on various tangents. A single shade of glass fell out of its hold and tumbled to the floor, shattering.

~*~

Chi-Chi was surprised by the sudden on slaughter of the storm. She hadn't expected it and according to the news neither had the meteorologists. Strange things tended to around here all the time but sudden weather changes were definitely out of the ordinary.

Gohan had mentioned that sometimes Dende liked to play with the weather. The young Namek sometimes got bored at his roost and liked to spice things up down below. After the Cell Games, it had rained a fair bit and Dende had later told Gohan that it was a reflection of the feelings felt throughout the majority of Goku's friends after his death. Maybe something similar was in motion at the moment.

Determined to find out why the weather was messed up, Chi-Chi pushed herself from the couch to call Bulma. She knew it was late but Bulma wouldn't mind. The two had spent a fair bit of time together since Goku's death. After finding out she was pregnant. Chi-Chi had nowhere to turn besides her father and though the giant of a man had tried his very best to comfort his daughter and grandson he couldn't do everything. Bulma had sympathised with Chi-Chi having gone through a similar experience when she was pregnant. The two had laughed and cried during the past weeks. Now starting to show the signs of her pregnancy, Chi-Chi's despair and sense of loss had been replaced with excitement. The joy of bringing a new life into the world, especially one of hopefully lasting peace was enough to cheer her up even on the cloudiest days.

The phone rang three times before a gruff voice answered.

"What the hell do you want?"

Chi-Chi rolled her eyes, "I want to talk to Bulma, please." Vegeta's annoyed tone could be heard grumbling incoherently. A moment later, Chi-Chi heard Vegeta's bellow of 'Woman'.

"Hey, Chi-Chi, what are you doing up this late?" Bulma asked a few moments later.

"Hi! I was wondering if you know anything about the weather?" Chi-Chi twisted the phone cord around her wrist as she sat on a bar stool in the kitchen.

"What do you mean? The storm?" Chi-Chi nodded, and then realised Bulma couldn't see.

"Yeah."

Bulma racked her brain, trying to figure out what Chi-Chi meant but she drew a blank, "What do you mean, Chi?"

Chi-Chi shook her head again before coming to the conclusion that pregnancy was messing with her brain and making her do things the wrong way, "No, don't worry about it," she stopped, "Bulma, can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure, like what?" Settling into a chair, Bulma steeled herself for whatever Chi-Chi wanted to know.

"Have you…" Chi-Chi mused over how to word her question, "Have you and Vegeta been fighting like tonight?"

Bulma laughed, "God, I wish. He doesn't even speak to me. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, just something Gohan mentioned about Dende and the weather and people's emotions don't worry about it. Anyway, it's nearly midnight; we should both probably get some sleep."

"Yeah, you're right. See ya, Chi-Chi, good night."

"Night."

Both women hung up the phones. Chi-Chi shrugged and yawning, decided it was time to throw in the towel and go to bed. Bulma wrapped her dressing gown tighter around her and headed up to bed, wondering about Chi-Chi's questions and whether Vegeta would stop eating her out of house and home and go to bed.

~*~

Another shard of glass slipped out of its socket and tumbled through the air, falling and breaking into a million pieces.

~*~

The rain crashed harder as the dispute clashed fiercer. Neither wanted to fight but they remained at loggerheads nonetheless. Silence descended, and neither spoke, just existed, minds battling conflicting emotions. A climax in the situation was looming and they both knew it but didn't want to admit it.

She was the first to stand. She didn't speak or signal in any way. She just stood. He watched helplessly, knowing what was coming. She glanced at him for a moment, almost as if she was wishing for something. But she assumed she couldn't have it. Walking slowly, she reached the edge of the island and momentarily staring out at sea, he was positive he heard her speak. But she didn't persist if she ever had spoken at all. The silence drowned the storm and the rain stopped belting for only a moment.

Then she was gone.

~*~

The shrill, insistent cry of the telephone awoke the residents of Kame House earlier then expected. The sun shone brightly and the birds sang merrily but not everyone echoed such feelings.

Krillin answered the phone after it become apparent that neither Master Roshi nor Oolong were interested in getting up. He wasn't sure who he was expecting it to be but it definitely wasn't Chi-Chi. His immediate thought was that she was sick or that something was wrong with the baby.

"Don't be silly, Krillin, I'm perfectly fine. I wanted to ask you something actually," Chi-Chi was laughing at the other end, amused by everyone's unwarranted worry for her.

Krillin was confused as to why Chi-Chi wanted to ask something from him. His first theory involved 18. Had Chi-Chi found out? Had Master Roshi or Oolong slipped something? He inwardly panicked but tried to keep a cool façade.

"What could you possibly want to ask me, Chi-Chi?" Krillin laughed nervously.

"Did there happen to be any fights at your house last night?"

Krillin almost fainted. Was she psychic?

"Um, no, not that I know of," he replied a little too hesitantly.

"Oh, that's weird. Oh well, don't worry about it. That's all I wanted Krillin. I better go. I'm taking Gohan out for some new clothes. He only ever wears gis. See ya."

"Bye, Chi-Chi."

Both parties hung up the phone and Krillin headed back up to his bed. He flopped down on his bed. Why had Chi-Chi thought there had been a fight at Kame House the night before? Did she know something he didn't? Confused, Krillin fell into a restless sleep, mind tormented over what Chi-Chi might have known.

~*~

"Dende?!" Krillin said in mild surprise. Since when did the young green guardian make home visits?

"Hello, Krillin, how have you been?" Dende asked as if he saw Krillin every day and it was no peculiarity that he was standing on the sand of Kame Island.

"I've been fine," Krillin replied, somewhat sleepily.

"That's odd, from what I've seen up on the Lookout, things have been far from normal down here. Not that this place is ever really normal. Strange things happen every day, such as you fight with 18 the other day. Chi-Chi was right about the weather. I see where Gohan inherits his intelligence."

Krillin gaped. How? What? Why? After taking a moment to come to grips with the fact that Dende knew everything. Krillin decided to play it cool.

"What do you mean Dende? What does yesterday's storm have to do with my fight with 18?" Dende smiled mischievously.

"Didn't you realise Krillin? That storm was a reflection of your very volatile situation last night. It doesn't get quite boring being Earth's Guardian sometimes, you know," Dende raised an eye to glance unnervingly at the cornered Krillin.

"Dende, you can't tell anyone? They all hate her; I'm the only one willing to giver her a chance. She deserves it."

"Begging is pitiful, you know that Krillin. Anyway, why would I tell someone? Besides, Piccolo already knows. He can see what happens from up at the Lookout. I think he finds it quite amusing," Dende laughed.

Krillin laughed too, in spite of himself. That was definitely Piccolo; laughing at others discomfort.

Dende suddenly turned serious, "But regardless of that, I'm actually here for another reason. It too involves 18."

"What is it?"

"Krillin, your mirror is cracking and it's cracking fast."

"Huh?" Krillin looked like someone had just asked him to multiply the square root of a percentage by seventy-one.

Dende sighed, "Krillin, imagine you have mirror that represents your life. Every time you look into the mirror, something happens to it, representing what has happened in you life. So, let's say when Goku died, your mirror cracked and shattered into a million pieces because that's how you felt. But when you finally got over Goku's death, the mirror repaired itself. So imagine what effect your fight with 18 would have on the mirror."

Krillin stared at Dende, still slightly confused. He thought about it for a moment. Was this some loony theory of what? Dende sighed again, this time impatient.

"Look at this, Krillin. This is your mirror."

In place of the wide spread sea was a projected image. In the middle of it, stood a single mirror, cracks spread all over it. There were a few spaces where the mirror had fallen out of it casing. Krillin watched the mirror patiently.

The cracked mirror fell out of its casing and shattered into a million pieces.

~*~

*Well, bizarre at it was I liked this chapter. Noticed the tie in of 18's 'halo' in chapter one to Krillin's pet name of angel. I'm not exactly sure where the mirror concept came from. Now, I'm not sure when chapter 4 will come out because I'm going back to school on the 28th and I haven't finished chapter 4 yet. However, I have started it and I've also started chapter 5. Trust me; chapter 5 will be tissue worthy. Also the adventures of Trunks make a brief appearance in a discussion with his mommy. Should be really cute. Don't forget to check out my other pieces, including a new Videl P.O.V called Ordinary Day, a Vegeta/Bulma called Glimpses and a another humorous Bulma/Vegeta fic called The Happy Families Charades. Anyway, gotta go, hoped you enjoyed it. Ratty*