The Little orphan Girl
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Ball Z or any of its characters.
Thank you for all your kind reviews.
Two weeks had passed since Susie had started school. She loved attending the classes and that would be the time of the day when she would not be as reserved as usual. However, on her return, her mood went back to what it usually was like. Cold and sullen.
Bulma had really hoped for an improvement. Sure, Susie was slightly better at school but that was not because she was opening up to them, it was because she was crazy about school. There was one thing that Bulma did not understand. Susie behaved in a much decent manner around Vegeta. She would walk to the Gravity Chamber and watch him train, and Vegeta on his part, was teaching her the basics of fighting. The two would sit together in the garden at night after all the work was done. They never spoke to each other yet Susie always sought his company, not Trunks', who was trying really hard to make her happy and feel welcome.
Trunks really adored Susie. He only wished she would open up to him and accept him as her brother. He had learnt long ago that family wasn't just blood. Susie had yet to learn that.
"I really like that kid, mom. She is so cute and nice. But I guess she doesn't like me much," Trunks said and sighed.
"Give her some time. Walls around the heart don't break easily. But they do break. You only have to be patient and prove that you are a dependable elder brother," Bulma replied.
Trunks nodded though he did not really look convinced. "Trunks, your dad was worse than she is," Bulma said at last, "And if he can change, I don't think anything's impossible." "Maybe you're right, mom," her son replied.
Bulla walked in at that moment. She had overheard them talk. It felt like a stab in her chest. Why did Trunks not speak to her? Why did her brother not love her anymore? Was she not worthy enough? What was it that Susie had, and she, Bulla, did not?
She lowered her gaze at that thought when Trunks put an arm around her.
"Hey kiddo, I want to show you something."
With that he grabbed her hand and took her upstairs to his room, not giving her time to even analyse that he was speaking to her again.
What Trunks showed her was beautiful; it took her breath away.
They were figurines; small, humanlike, dressed for war. Some had swords carved out of clay in their hands, some had bows and arrows. They were arranged in a glass box, the floor of which was like a battle field, one wall of which was painted blue to depict a sky. Some figurines were on the ground and were red, indicating blood. Trunks had built up a scene of war.
"How? Why?" Bulla at last managed to whisper, unable to take her eyes off it. It looked too real and yet too beautiful.
"Your history project. You had to tell the story of that war in a… artistic way, right? Well, here you have the whole scene."
"You made this for me…" she said, "Why?"
Trunks turned her face towards his and smiled.
"Because you are my little sister, kid."
Bulla's eyes were bleak at that and she hugged her brother, burying her head in his chest.
"You don't hate me, right?" she sobbed. He patted her shoulder.
"How can I?" he replied softly.
Bulla smiled to herself. It was really a day to remember, the best since a very long time.
Sitting on a tree branch had certain disadvantages. The most clear was how a person's legs could just slip, and he could be left dangling from the branch. Susie found out soon enough. She had jumped out of her window to take her seat on the tree branch but her foot slipped and she was left hanging from the branch. With a frown she pulled herself back and snuggled in her corner. She sighed and took in the sight that greeted her.
The Gravity Chamber was occupied. She could hear Vegeta yelling inside and some other sounds which told her he was training. Susie had watched him train from the window. He had taught her basics of martial arts. But she never understood what those coloured beams of light were that just seemed to eject from his hands. She had watched those lights only from the window, and apparently they were the reason that the Gravity Chamber broke down so frequently. Trunks had called them 'Chi Beam' or Energy Beam. Susie could not understand how anyone could just target energy beams at something. She did not even understand how anyone could make energy beams and balls. Everything about Vegeta was a mystery. Did he work? She had never seen him do so. Was he a fighter? Apparently. Was he a prince? Seeing his pride, maybe. Were they alike? Somewhat.
Susie wanted to find out about Saiyans. They were a different race, but how different were they? Which planet were they from? Where were the other Saiyans? Why was the Saiyan Prince staying on earth? Susie had answer to none of these questions. And she could not relax until she had all the answers.
His advice had been helpful though. She spent hours studying and learning martial arts. One was responsible for one's own strength. She would use her knowledge to be an achiever. But that was a long way away. First, she had to find out more about Saiyans.
She used the computer, the one that Bulma had given her, to do some research about the Saiyans. There were no satisfactory results. "Maybe I should just ask them. Yes, in the evening I will."
It was tea time when Susie walked into the dining hall along with Vegeta. Both were late.
Susie sat down and pondered over how to ask. She could not just go up to Vegeta and say, "Hey Vegeta! How's it going, being a Saiyan? Are you guys also made of animal cells or do you have a different variety?!"
Her eyes widened as she realised just how ridiculous that would be.
Trunks saw that she was nervous and wanted to say something.
"What happened Susie?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"Your face contradicts your statement," Trunks said.
"I want to know about – about –" she glanced at Vegeta.
"About Saiyans," Vegeta grunted.
"Really?" Trunks asked, clearly excited. "Yes," Susie replied.
"We can help you. I will tell you everything about Saiyans!"
Bulla raised her brows at him.
"And Bulla will help me," Trunks quickly added.
"I think Vegeta would be the best person to help you," Bulma said, "He's the only pure Saiyan here."
"I don't have so much time, woman."
"Come on Vegeta."
"I'll see."
With that Vegeta downed his glass of juice in one go and left the room, heading to Gravity Chamber. Bulla frowned at her mother.
"I can help her as well," she said.
"Yes but I want your dad to actually do something."
Bulma's face showed clear annoyance. Despite trying really hard, Susie could not help smirking at her. Bulla stared daggers at her and Susie left the room too, with a wink at Bulla.
Bulma watched the events anxiously. She had to do something about it now. She would talk to Bulla. She really needed to talk to her.
