Disclaimers: Don't own, don't ask, don't sue.
A/N: Oohh, this is going a lot better than planned. I'm so glad that I've decided to beat the story out of my head with marshmallows and jellybeans. Or just coffee and crackers, same crap different pile right? Keep reviewing! I love to know that people are enjoying my story!
Black Sunrise
She pulled into her usual parking spot and cut the engine. It had been three weeks since she started school, and for three weeks, she was able to keep people away from her with her quick tongue, and even quicker temper. People left her alone, and that was the way she liked it. Bulma walked into her first class and sat in her usual desk between Chi-Chi and 18. Goku sat in front of her, and even before class started, she had pulled out her math homework. It was mandatory that she was there for the first few minutes of class, but other then that, she pretty much had enough spare time.
People envied her, people wanted to be like her. She was smart, and beautiful in her own dark way, but people didn't like her. They were afraid of her for good reason. On the second day of school, she had gotten into a fight with another girl, who came out of the fight worse for wear. Large black bruises had covered her cheekbones and right eye, her nose was broken, and lips were split up. Bulma sported a bruised left cheek and a week's suspension.
After that, people stayed far away from her. Mr. Patterson walked into the class and did role call. He collected everyone's homework and placed it into a folder to take home and mark later that night. Bulma slid out of her desk and walked out the back door to the classroom and headed to her car, where she sat there until her next class.
She hadn't seen Vegeta all morning, and for that she was glad. Bulma was getting tired of his insults and moronic remarks towards her persona. He didn't know anything about her, in fact, no one did, and that's the way she planned to keep it.
"Hey." A voice came from in front of her as she cracked open an eye. In front of her stood Star, a naturally black haired girl. She was wearing a black and dark purple corset with a short skirt and fishnet stockings. Her hair was streaked with bright pink and pulled up into a high ponytail. Her green eyes were lined thickly with black, lids were covered with a dark pink shadow.
"What?" Bulma spat out as she flicked the ashes from her cigarette.
"You're a bitch." Star pointed out.
"So? I should care, why?"
"I'm Star."
"I know who you are."
"Cut with the tough act. I'm trying to be nice to you."
Bulma rolled her eyes and tossed the half finished smoke down to the ground. "Why aren't you in class?"
"Didn't feel like going."
"How thrilling. Listen, are you just here to waste my time, because I can do that all on my own without your help."
"I'm actually here to ask you if you wanted to come and hang out with me at lunch. I've noticed that you don't have any friends, and that people are scared of you. They're like that with me. Just think about it, you and me, and the rest of the school."
"Could be fun." Bulma smirked, licking her bottom lip.
"Wanna do it?"
"Sure. Meet me outside of 238 before the lunch bell."
"Will do. And Bulma?"
"Yeah?"
"See you then."
Bulma watched as Star turned and walked away, and she got up from her car, locked it, set the alarm and walked into the school to go to English. The class would never end, and 10 minutes before the bell was ready to ring, Bulma caught sight of Star peeking her head into the class. Bulma put her hand into the air and grabbed her bag. "Mrs. Logan? I've got to use the bathroom. You know, girl troubles."
"You can wait until the end of class Ms. Briefs."
Bulma narrowed her eyes and tightened the grip on her bag. "If you want me to bleed all over your desk, then I'll wait right here, but then you can explain to the janitors why there's blood on the seat. I don't care." She smirked as people around her laughed.
"Fine. You can go, but I want you to come back."
"Sure. Yeah, whatever." Bulma got up and walked out of the class, kicking shut the door and grinned as it closed with a loud slam. The pair of girls hurried down the hall and turned right, walking out of the side doors. "Fuck, I hate Mrs. Logan. Fucking bitch."
"No kidding. I've got her next semester."
Bulma pulled out a cigarette and lit it. After a few moments of silence, the girls looked at each other and knew that they were friends. Star was so much like her, and yet she was totally different. Bulma offered her the lit smoke and she took it, inhaling deeply with a pleasurable moan.
"So, what do you want to do?"
"Who knows. Let's fucking ditch school."
"Fuck that!" Bulma exclaimed, "I've got Biology next, and I'm starting to dissect a rat. Then I've got writing. I'm not cutting those today."
"Well then, let's just fucking get out of here for lunch. You wanna drive, or me?"
"I'll drive. C'mon. Let's go for coffee or something."
They walked to Bulma's car and got in. As Bulma was starting to back out of her parking space, she caught sight of a familiar person. Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel as she glared at the tall jock, his brown hair cut short against his head.
"Hey, you ok?"
It couldn't be him. Why would he be there? "What? Yeah. I'm fine." It wasn't him, it couldn't be. It was just someone that looked like him. She sped out of the student's parking lot and took off down the long road. Turning left at the stop sign, they made their way into the city and stopped for coffee at the hottest place for coffee.
"You drove, I'll buy."
"Fine. I'll have a iced French vanilla cappuccino, whipped cream and Carmel sauce."
"Oh, sounds good." They walked into the café and Star walked to the counter while Bulma searched for a place for them to sit down. A few minutes later, Star handed Bulma her drink and sat across from her new friend. "So Bulma, why are you the way you are?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you some hardcore bitch?"
"Because I can be."
"But why?"
Bulma ran a hand through her loose hair. "Listen, I'm the way I am because I choose to be. I don't need to go and explain my reasons to you. I could very well ask you why you're the way you are. I'm sure that you wouldn't like it very much."
Star looked down into her large coffee mug and closed her eyes. Bulma thought that she had made her new friend cry, but soon realized that she was gathering inner strength. "I'm the way I am because my parents are dead. I chose to walk down this path because it's the easiest thing to do. I've turned to drinks and drugs to ease the pain that I feel every day."
She instantly felt terrible for snapping at Star. "Holy shoes. I'm sorry."
"'Holy shoes'? That's a new one. Anyway, it's all right. They died while taking a vacation in the Alps. Happened last year. I'm sorry for trying to pry into your life."
"It's all right. I'm sorry for snapping at you. My life hasn't been all that easy."
Star nodded her head and took a long drink from of her latte. "Hey, listen, I forgot to tell you. I'm going to a Halloween party... well, on Halloween. Want to come?"
"That's like, another month away."
"I know, but still, want to come?"
Bulma chewed on her lip and nodded her head. "Sure...I guess. I'll have to get a ba... I mean, I'll have to talk it over with my mom." Star smiled brightly and continued to drink her coffee. She watched as Bulma chewed on the straw of her iced drink. Something was bothering her, and she wished that her new friend would open up and tell her, but that would be something that only Bulma would be able to do.
"Anyway, I think it's about time we head back to school. I wouldn't want you to miss your rat dissection."
Bulma stuck her tongue out at Star and giggled. "It's going to be so much fun. Krillin is such a wimp. Should have seen him trying to dissect a worm. Chi-Chi's just, I don't know, she seems nice and all, but I wouldn't want to get on her bad side. I think she's more violent than I am."
"Why...never mind." Star said as they pushed themselves away from the table and walked out of the door.
"Why what?" Bulma unlocked the doors and climbed in.
"Nothing."
"Bull shit. You can't bull shit a bull shitter." She turned the key and revved the engine.
"Well, I was just wondering why you're not friends with them. That's all."
Bulma rolled her eyes and smirked as she shoulder checked to make sure no one was behind her. She didn't reply for a few moments as she navigated her car through traffic. "They just don't understand me. They don't want to understand me."
"It's more like you don't want them to understand you."
"Something like that. Anyway, what does it matter? I've got you now, so I don't need to worry about them."
"We've only been friends for roughly a few hours."
"So? Like I said, what does it matter? Listen, I'll explain things to you when I feel like I'm ready to explain them. I've got a lot of shit piled up on my shoulders, a lot of shit that I don't want other people to know."
Star looked out the window, arms crossing over her stomach. "I know what you mean, and I know that you'll tell me when you're ready to tell me. I just want you to know Bulma, that I'm here for you."
"Thanks. Ditto Star." Her parking spot had been taken, and she let out a long stream of curses as she looked for another one. "I swear to fucking god that the next person that steals my spot is going to have to get his face surgically removed from the bottom of my boot..." She muttered after her car was turned off and she was getting out.
"Violence doesn't solve anything." Star joked, shutting the door carefully. "That's a phat ride Bulma. Where'd you get it?"
"From my parents. You know a 'congratulations, you've made it this far' gift."
"At least you've got a car. I've got a truck. Not that I mind or anything, but still." They walked up towards the front of the school and stopped off at each other's lockers. People parted as they walked down the hallways to their classes. Bulma on her own was bad, but Bulma teamed up with Star? That makes it even worse.
"Anyway Star, I've got to run. Class is starting in a few moments. Give me your number and I'll text you." Star quickly wrote down the 7-digit number on Bulma's hand and took off at a run down the hall. Shaking her head, Bulma made her way into the classroom and sat down at the large black table. Krillin was all ready there with Chi-Chi. Bulma felt sorry for the bald-headed guy. He was all ready turning green with the thoughts of cutting open a rat.
At least she didn't have to kill it. "Hey Bulma..." Chi-Chi said softly, giving her a shy smile.
"Hi." She threw her bag onto the table with a loud thud and straightened her shirt.
"Listen, um...I don't know.. if you..."
"Spit it out. What do you want?"
Chi-Chi snarled and Krillin shrunk down in his seat, pulling his Biology text closer to him. "I was just wondering if you'd like to come over for a movie tonight. You know, to finalize the end of the week. It's just going to be me, and I don't want to stay home alone tonight..."
"What about 18?"
"She's busy. Everyone's busy. Goku's going away for the weekend, and my parents are still out of town..."
"I'll see what I can do. Give me your number and I'll call you when I get home."
"Ok."
The rest of the day went by quickly and Bulma couldn't wait to get out of school. She waved to Star, who waved back and came bouncing over to her. "I heard through the grapevine that you're going over to Chi's place tonight?"
"Yeah, so?"
"I think it's great. You need more friends. Anyway, I'll catch you later. I've got a ton of studying to do. Don't forget about that Halloween party! Remember to ask your mom!"
Bulma waved again and climbed into her car. She sang along with her CD on the drive home and as soon as the car was stopped, she jumped out and ran into the house, bag lying on the floor by the front door. "Where's mommy's little baby?" Bulma exclaimed as she picked Rayne up and tossed her into the air.
"Did you have a good day at school darling?" Her mother asked from the couch, watching her daughter nuzzle and tickle her granddaughter.
"It was all right. Listen, I've got plans for tonight. I was invited over to this chick's house to watch a movie with her. And then I've been invited to a Halloween party..."
"And you're just wondering if I'll look after Rayne for you tonight, and yes, you can go to the Halloween party, though it's not for another few weeks yet."
"Thanks mom, you're a doll. Anyway, just letting you know, I've made a friend. Her name's Star."
"Oh honey! That's fantastic! You're going to have to bring her over here."
"Yeah right. And explain Rayne to her? You've got to be kidding." Bulma walked upstairs to her room, Rayne happily playing with the long strands of black hair that fell over her mother's shoulders. She picked up the phone in her room and called Chi-Chi.
"Hello?"
"Is Chi-Chi there please?"
"Speaking."
"It's Bulma."
"Oh! Hey! What time are you coming over?"
"I was just going to ask you that."
"Any time. Now if you want."
"Do you want me to bring anything over?"
"A movie that you want to watch. I've got a few here, but I don't know what you're into. Other then that, just yourself."
"All right. I'll need your address..." she wrote it down on a piece of paper and then said good-bye. "Rayne, mommy's got to go out for a little bit. She'll be home later tonight, but you be a good girl for grandma ok?" Bulma grabbed a movie and headed back downstairs.
Bunny was sitting on the couch still, legs folded under her as she was working on a crossword. "Here mom. I'll leave you some money in case you want to go out and do something."
"Bulma, I've got more than enough, and what do you think I am? Poor?" Bunny laughed, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, your father should be home at the end of next month. Just letting you know."
"All right, but listen, I've got to get going. Sorry I'm not going to be home tonight. If anyone calls for me, tell them to reach me on my cell, not that anyone would call."
"All right dear. Have a good night."
"You too mom."
Trying to find Chi-Chi's house was somewhat difficult. There were more roads and turns she had to take then she had ever had to take before. But thanks to her Navigational system, she only got lost once. Bulma pulled up in front of a 4 story stone house and looked at the address. Chi-Chi was waiting for her on the front step and she waved. "Hi!"
"Hey."
"Come on in." Bulma followed Chi-Chi into the large house and looked around. Everything was red, gold and black. "My parents love the colors. It's boring, I know."
"Actually, I like it. It's unique."
"Thanks..." Chi-Chi said shyly. "Do you want anything...to...um drink?"
"No thanks. Listen, I need to use your bathroom..."
"It's down the hall and to your right."
Bulma handed Chi-Chi her cell phone. "If it rings, answer it."
"Sure."
Chi-Chi walked into the kitchen and ordered some pizza. She pulled out a bottle of Coke and two glasses, and then walked into the living room where Bulma was sitting, waiting for her. "I just...um...ordered some pizza. I don't know what you liked, so I just got cheese. I hope that's ok."
"It's fine. Listen Chi-Chi, you don't need to be scared of me. I'm not going to bite, or hurt you or anything like that."
"You just look..."
"Scary? I know."
"Sorry. I'm just, I don't know."
"Hey, it's all right. What do you want to watch?"
"What did you bring over?"
Bulma held up Queen of the Damned. "Perfect!" Chi-Chi exclaimed as she put the DVD into the player and flicked on the surround sound. "Pizza should be here shortly."
They sat on the opposite ends of the couch watching the movie when the doorbell rang. Bulma shot up and raced to get the door. Chi-Chi was right behind her, holding out some money, but Bulma had beaten her to the door. She paid the pizza-guy what was owed and gave him a large tip then turned to look at the ebon haired person.
"I beat you."
"I'll pay you back."
"Why?"
"I don't like people paying for things in my house."
"Don't worry. I've got enough money to spare."
"So I've noticed. Anyway, let's eat. I'm starving."
They sat around the coffee table eating and drinking Coke when Bulma excused herself to go to the bathroom again. Just as Bulma closed the door, her phone rang. Looking at the device, Chi-Chi picked it up. "He...Hello, Bulma's phone, Chi-Chi speaking."
"Chi-Chi? Hello, this is Bulma's mother. Listen, I don't know where she is at the moment, but please, please, please tell her to come to the hospital...there's been an accident and... her... cousin is in the hospital. Please, please tell her right away...and don't let her come alone. Don't let her drive. She'll be panicked."
"Right away Mrs. Briefs." Chi-Chi hung up the phone and ran through he house turning off all the lights. Throwing on her shoes, She tugged on a sweater over her head and looked at her watch. It had been a minute since Mrs. Briefs had called. "BULMA!"
Bulma walked out of the bathroom and looked around. "What?"
"We've got to go."
"Why?"
"Your mother called and said that your cousin was in the hospital..."
Bulma cocked her head to the side. Her cousin? She didn't have a cousin that lived in Japan, and then she fell towards the wall. It wasn't her cousin that was in the hospital, it was her daughter!
"I'm driving!" Bulma said as she sped out of Chi-Chi's house without her shoes.
"No! Your mom told me not to let you drive. Said something about you panicking. Give me the keys. I know my way around this part of town better than the back of my own hand."
Bulma tossed the keys over to Chi-Chi and slumped down into the passenger seat of her Audi. The woman wasted no time in starting the car, and with a squeal of tires, they took off down the road. Bulma bit her lip and fought back the tears that kept coming. She wiped them away. Something had happened to her daughter, something had happened to her little girl.
Bulma jumped out of the slowing down car, as it was ready to park in front of the hospital, and took off in a run. Chi-Chi was close behind.
"Where is she?" Bulma whimpered, looking around for her mother.
"Where is who?" the nurse asked from behind the desk.
"Where is Rayne?"
"Who?"
"Rayne Briefs. She's just turned one. Blonde hair, one green eye, the other blue?"
"Hang on and let me check. Are you immediate family?" Bulma nodded her head. "Sister?" She shook it. "Listen, we're only letting in close family members. I'm going to have to tell you to wait until the doctors know what's wrong with her."
"What! Excuse me you fucking bitch, but I want to fucking see my fucking daughter right now."
The nurse looked up. "Excuse me?"
"Let. Me. See. My. Daughter." Bulma snarled, fists pounding on the counter. Chi-Chi gasped.