"-And so I only barely won," Krillin said, simultaneously attempting to be modest and to impress Bulma. Bulma didn't look impressed, however. Her mind was a little bit preoccupied with Yamcha. Chi-Chi had apologized to both Yamcha and Bulma, but Bulma seemed a little more steamed about it than Yamcha.
"Hey," Master Roshi said, stealing Krillin's thunder. "Check out that hottie over there." The old man laughed gleefully. Their small group sighed, but turned their attentions to Master Roshi's new crush nonetheless.
"You can't," Tien said, shaking his head. Chi-Chi nodded in agreement. Master Roshi had his eye set on the quiet girl with the tail. There was something about her that seemed off, but Master Roshi was too preoccupied with the girl's figure to notice.
"Why not?" Roshi asked, taking on the whining tone of a two year old boy. "Look at her…" Master Roshi's voice trailed off and Chi-Chi was glad of it. She didn't think she would like what came at the end of that sentence.
"She doesn't look like she wants to be messed with," Chi-Chi said gently, "And besides, I don't really think she's your type."
"Since when have you cared what my type was?" Master Roshi asked. Chi-Chi shrugged. This clearly wasn't a battle she was going to win.
"Fine. Go talk to her, ask her for her number, and see where that gets you," she said, crossing her arms stubbornly. She half hoped he would get a really good beating. Master Roshi hesitated for only a moment, looking back to Tien, who was firmly shaking his head. The old man scoffed and began to saunter off in the strange girl's direction.
Chi-Chi looked on as a- very short- conversation ensued. Master Roshi, trying to be charming and failing quite miserably, struck up a conversation with the girl. Chi-Chi couldn't pick up what he was saying, but no sooner had he began to speak then the dark haired girl glared. Master Roshi began to lose courage and backed up slightly. He continued his one sided conversation, but was abruptly stopped. The dark haired girl stood quickly and twisted the old man's arm forcefully behind his back. She whispered something in his ear, but judging by the expression on her face, it was hardly the kind of thing Master Roshi would like to have whispered in his ear. She shoved Master Roshi away from her and back towards Tien and Chi-Chi, but not before throwing a death glare in their direction as well.
"I think she likes me," Master Roshi said, dazed. Chi-Chi rolled her eyes as she helped her master to stand straight.
"I think you should be a little more careful or you're going to end up being Yamcha's roommate in the medical ward," Tien said, laughing slightly.
"And when that happens, don't say we didn't warn you," Chi-Chi said. Master Roshi was about to reply, but was cut off by a blond haired announcer.
"Congratulations to all of the semifinalists!" he said in a cheery booming voice. "If I could have you all gather closer, we'll begin drawing for the final matches."
Tien and Chi-Chi exchanged glances as they walked toward the blond man along with Krillin and all the other semifinalists. The black haired girl, though close to the blond announcer, was still managing to keep her distance from the others. There was a bored expression on her face.
"The process is simple. When I call your name, please take a number. The number will tell us what match you will fight in, and who your opponent will be. Are there any questions?" He looked around at the group of fighters surrounding him. No one moved. "Great! We'll start with Krillin," he said, consulting the clipboard he carried in his arms.
Krillin walked forward and timidly selected his number. He studied it and then handed it back to the blond man.
"Krillin is number three which puts him in the second match," he said, marking Krillin's name down on a bracket board. "Next we have Tienshinhan." Tien walked forward, selected his number, and the process repeated. Tien was placed in the last bracket. A confident, muscular man whose name Chi-Chi didn't catch was in the second bracket with Krillin.
"Okay, uh, Verspa?" the blond man said, reading the name hesitantly. The silent black haired girl stepped forward and drew her number. She glanced at it before handing it back to the blond man and threw a haughty look at Tien. "Verspa will be fighting Tien in the very last match," the blond man said, writing the girl's name next to Tien's. "Chi-Chi?" the blond man asked. Chi-Chi stepped forward. She drew out a number, nervously. Luckily for her she knew she didn't have to face Krillin, Tien, or the menacing girl, Verspa. She looked at her number. Two. She handed her number to the blond man, and rejoined Tien and Krillin.
"Chi-Chi will be fighting in the very first match," the blond announcer said, cheerily. He continued the process of drawing numbers with the other contestants, but Chi-Chi, Tien, and Krillin were no longer paying attention.
"Wow, Tien," Krillin whispered. "I'm nervous for you. Did you see what she did to Master Roshi? It seems like that Verspa girl has got quite a temper!"
"Just because she likes to defend herself from perverts doesn't mean she has a temper," Chi-Chi said, defending the strange girl. She didn't really know why she came to the girl's defense, she didn't trust her, but the words were out of her mouth before she could really think. "You'd still better be on your guard, Tien," she added quickly.
"No kidding," he agreed. He cast a furtive glance over at the dark haired girl. "I've really got to watch my step around her if I expect to make it to the finals. I've watched lots of her matches. I've never really seen anyone quite like her," he said. He was mostly musing aloud to himself. Chi-Chi followed his gaze for a brief moment. Verspa had moved away from the rest of the group again, and was leaning against a wall in a far corner, sulking in the shadows. Verspa looked in Chi-Chi's direction for only a fraction of a second and it sent shivers down her spine.
"Whatever you do," she said, turning back to Tien, "do your best. And try not to lose. I'd like a little competition at this tournament," she said, trying to lighten the mood. Tien smiled a little, but the slightly troubled look on his face didn't lift.
"Now that all the matches have been assigned," said the announcer, interrupting their conversation, "you have a few minutes to yourself. The semifinals will begin in about half an hour. Make sure you're not late, or you'll be disqualified!" he said his last words cheerily, flashed a smile, and sauntered out of the room.
"Well, looks like all that's left to do is wait," Krillin said.