Disclaimers: Don't own, don't ask, don't sue.
A/N: Ah, two chapters in one day! You people are so spoiled! Oh, OH! The next one is going to be so much fun to write!
Black Sunrise
She was surrounded by lavender scented suds, hair pulled up into a pile on top of her head while a few tendrils at the back of her neck curled with the heated dampness of the almost boiling water. Her left foot rested on the ledge of the large bathtub, moving slowly to the music that played quietly in her ear. The baby monitor was laying on the floor beside the tub, and Bulma made sure that she could hear it over her music. She smelled baking cookies and the faint hint of burnt ones. A small smile tugged at her lips and she was almost helpless against it. Star knew how to cheer her up when she was down, but would she really understand if she knew the whole truth?
Would she be able to keep herself, and everything safe from the world that Bulma had left behind? There was so much that her parents didn't know about her, and if she was able to tell them, she doubted that she could. She had hurt her parents all ready, and didn't want to do it again.
How understanding her mother is, even though she really has no clue what was going on. Her mother would do anything to protect her daughter, and her daughter's daughter. Bunny cared about everyone and everything, always able to find the good in the evil, the light in the dark.
But if she knew just how dark this dark is, I doubt mom could do anything about it. I've got to figure out what I'm going to do. Surely I cannot return to sort everything out on my own, I don't want to bring Rayne back there. Markus and Chloe would look after her, but I just...I don't want to put my daughter's life in any more danger than it really is.
Fingers groped the floor beside the tub and found her pack of cigarettes and lighter. Normally she would never, ever smoke in the house, and in fact, she wouldn't smoke in front of her daughter, but Bulma had made sure to stuff a towel into the crack under the door, turned the fan on, and had a few scented candles burning. Lighting it, she took a slow, lingering puff and held it in her lungs for a few seconds before letting it pass through her nose and into the air to be sucked up, or burned away.
Star knocked on the door and pushed it aside with some difficulty, the towel crumpled between the door and the wall. Bulma lifted her head and smiled softly to her friend. Pulling off her headphones, she nodded to the door. "Can you close that? I don't want any smoke going towards Rayne."
She closed the door and kicked the towel back into place. "Well, there are more than enough cookies down there to last a life time. I've decided not to go about making you decorate each and every one of them by hand. Yuki came in and asked if he could help, so I told him what cookies were to look like what. So now we've got two hours of free time on our hands. What do you want to do?"
"Get out of this tub, have Yuki whip us up something really good, get a drink and sit in the garden."
"Hmm, that sounds just wonderful. Anyway, I'll run downstairs, get Yuki or one of the other chefs to make us something, and then meet you down there."
"Sounds good." Bulma pulled the silver chain that linked the plug to the bathtub with her toe and stood up, water running over her body as she grabbed a large white towel and wrapped it around herself. Making sure that her skin was perfectly dry; she walked into her room, baby monitor in hand, and pulled out her black silky robe. Slipped it onto her bare arms, she tucked one side tightly into the other one and fastened the sash around her waist.
With the baby monitor in her pocket, she bounced down the stairs in an obviously better mood than she had been in previous to her bath. Star jumped up from the couch and came racing towards her, glad to see a smile on Bulma's lips. "Feeling better?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Getting excited? We've got two hours until your mom comes home, that means two hours until the fun starts!"
"I'm thrilled, really, really thrilled, but I thought Masquerade parties were out of style? Who throws one nowadays?"
Star giggled and pulled Bulma outside to sit on the vast deck. "You just wait to see what Yuki's got for us! It looks so good."
"Star, you're always thinking with your stomach, and not with your head. But why aren't you answering my question?"
"I was just getting to it you doorknob. Anyway, this person, let's just say they're...different. I'm sure you'd like them."
"Humph. If you're trying to play matchmaker, think again there Star."
"Not playing, oh no. I never play!"
"You're the worst liar ever. Give over."
"Fine, fine..." she held her hands up in a sign of defeat, though there was a glimmer in her green eyes. Bulma was about to comment when Yuki came out holding two plates piled high with what looked to be a salad of some sorts.
"Bonjour ladies how are you this afternoon?"
"Very good, thank you Yuki, this look wonderful. What is it?"
Yuki put a plate down in front of each girl and clasped his hands together. "It is a spinach salad with mandarin slices, toasted almonds, and sunflower seeds, all topped off with a raspberry vinaigrette."
Star almost drooled over her plate and winked to Yuki, who flushed a little. "This looks like yum."
"Everything to you Star looks like yum."
"That's because everything I eat is yum. I don't eat ew." Yuki smirked and slipped away, only to return a few moments later with a chilled bottle of white wine and two crystal wineglasses. He gave each girl half a glass and then brought the bottle back inside. They dug into the salad quickly; eating a few bites before taking a few small sips of wine, and then returned to the food in front of them.
Star chanced a glace at Bulma who looked slightly perplexed and white as she ate her salad. With a trembling hand, slim fingers grabbed the glass and brought it to her lips. She finished off the rest of her wine in a single swallow. "Hey, B, you all right?"
"What? Yeah. I'm fine."
"Want to get totally smashed before we go to the party?"
"No, I'll get smashed there."
"I think it's going to be a dry party."
"Dry party? In this day-and-age? Give me a break."
"All right, all right, but why don't you bring a little something that you like, and then horde it all to yourself, and then drink what everyone else is."
"Sounds perfect to me." God knows I'll need everything I can get my hands on tonight to keep my mind off of that...that letter from...
"Hello? Earth to Bulma!" Star was waving her hands in front of her friends face.
"What? Oh, sorry, zoned out for a moment there."
"You're telling me. But anyways, I'm going to go and get into the shower."
"Good idea. I think I'm going to call a friend of mine from back home and talk to her for a bit to see what's going on down there."
"Sounds good." Star pushed herself away from the table and walked off leaving Bulma alone on the deck. Yuki appeared in the doorway and let out a cough.
"Miss Bulma?"
"Yes?"
"Are you done?"
"Oh, yes, thank you it was wonderful as always." Yuki nodded his head and was about to pick up the plates when he handed Bulma one of the many cordless phones in the house. "How did you..."
"I heard you and Miss Star talking about it. Thought I would bring one out to you so you can sit out here and talk."
"Thank you, I don't know what I would do without you."
"Go crazy?"
"Probably." Bulma chuckled and began to dial Cara's number. After a few rings, she got the answering machine. "Hey bitch, it's me, your worst nightmare. No, just playing. Anyway I haven't talked with you in ages. I miss you! Have a good Halloween, and if you get this some time tonight, call my cell." She left her cell number and ended the call.
She sat there, right leg over her left and stared out at the large yard that stretched out before her. Maybe she could ask her dad if she could get a dog. Surely it would have enough room to roam about. Bulma began to plan the next step in her life; introducing Rayne to her friends, and then, eventually to the rest of the world.
And that is going to be the toughest thing I'm ever going to have to do. Bulma Briefs, famous artist and heiress to a company, knocked up at 15. That'll be one killer story.
Star came back downstairs half an hour later, hair all ready straightened and done up into cat-ears, a pink ribbon wrapping around each 'ear' tied neatly with a little bow in the front. "Looking good."
"BULMA! I'M HOME!" Bunny slammed the door shut and instantly both girls heard the telltale sound of Rayne crying. Bulma got up from her chair and dashed up the stairs, robe flying about her legs.
Star walked calmly into the living room and waved to Bunny who dropped the bags from shopping onto the floor and took a seat across from her daughter's best friend. The older woman chewed her lip for a moment, Bulma had picked up the habit from her mother, and took a deep breath. "Is my daughter going to be safe tonight?"
"More so than ever. I was wondering if, with your permission of course, I could show the letter to a few select guys that we both know. You know, in case something does happen."
Bunny twirled a hefty blonde curl around her finger and nodded. "I think that would be best, and better not let Bulma know. She'll go absolutely insane if she found out..."
"Found out what?" Bulma said from the doorway, her daughter on her right hip.
"Oh, nothing!" Bunny chirped, jumping up to snatch her granddaughter from her mother. "I think it's time that you two go and get ready. Well, it looks as if Star is almost into her costume," Bunny remarked, eyes approving of the pink around her carefully styled hair. "And you're bound to take a lot longer than she is. But I see that you're carefully bathed and whatnot, so I don't see why it'll take more than an hour and a half to get ready."
Bulma chuckled and was dragged up the stairs by her friend who eagerly chatted away. "Star, stop for a moment and give your mouth a rest!"
"Oh, but you don't understand! This is going to be so much fun!" And you're going to kill me afterwards, but soon enough you'll thank me!
"I know it's going to be fun, but you have to understand that there is no reason for you to be running your mouth off like there's no tomorrow. Where is the party being held anyway?"
"At a friend's parents house."
"How many people do you expect to be there?"
"Give or take 200."
"200!? Are you sure that my costume will be original? I don't want to have my costume doubled..."
"It's not you that should be worried, it's me."
"Seriously, I don't think anyone will be dressed up like you will be." She walked over to one of her many dressers and pulled out a pair of white Brazilian panties and shimmied into them. Dropping her robe, she added the matching strapless bra and turned to look at Star. "Can you hand me my dress?"
"Sure!" Star walked into the large walk-in closet and pulled out a garment bag then handed it over to Bulma. She herself started to tug on the black material that made up her costume. "Are you sure that I should have been a cat? I mean, surely there are things better than a cat... Bulma, I'm having second thoughts..."
Bulma let out a light chuckle. "Go back into the closet and pull out the blue garment bag. I'm sure you'll find that it fits you correctly."
"What the hell...?" Curious, she did as she was told and placed the bag gingerly onto the large bed and slowly pulled back the zipper, only to let out an astonished gasp. "What the hell!"
She turned to her friend and shook her head. "You...you..."
"'Thank you Bulma, you're the greatest friend in the world and now for sure I'll be the most drop dead woman there.'"
Star wiped at her eyes and nodded her head, "Yeah, just what you said. But I cannot believe that you went through all of this trouble just for me."
"It's well worth it. I'm glad to see that the dress makes you happy. But we're going to have to do something about your hair. There is no way you can wear your dress with your hair the way it is."
"Say no more! Consider it done!"
Two hours later, Bunny knocked on Bulma's door. "Sweetheart, Chi-Chi is here. She told me that you were supposed to come and see her before you went to the party, and when you didn't show up, she came here. Is everything all right?"
"Yeah mom! Show her in. I'm just putting on my shoes."
"All right."
Bulma turned to Star and held her arms out at her sides. "Well...?"
"Well what? You just look...radiant."
"Thank you. Means a lot. Let's go see what Chi-Chi is wearing."
I sure hope she hid her mask well. Bulma's too smart not to figure it out if that one piece of evidence is there in front of her nose. Then she'll want to stay here. Star giggled to herself. "C'mon. Let's go check out Chi's duds."
The blue-haired woman fidgeted with the black silk choker around her neck and nodded. "All right. Got your mask?"
Star held up a slender golden mask perfectly molded to fit her face well. Nodding, they walked out of Bulma's room, and down the stairs. "HURRY UP Bulma! I cannot WAIT here FOREVER!" Chi-Chi tapped her toe impatiently against the floor, arms crossed over her chest.
"We're coming! Cannot rush perfection you know!"
Chi-Chi looked up and placed a hand to her mouth. A camera flashed in the near distance and Bulma rolled her eyes. Her mother loved taking pictures, and did so whenever she got the chance. "I...I don't understand..." Chi-Chi said dazed.
"Don't understand what?" Star asked, head tilting to the side.
"The...the hair! How did you get it that color?"
"I was born with it. Hello Chi-Chi."
"BULMA! You've got hair like that and you cover it up?"
"Sure, seemed to fit my mood rather well. But listen, you saw us now, and now you can go. We're all ready late for a party as it is."
"Fashionably late that is." Bunny piped up from the background. Bulma rushed to her mother and kissed her cheek, then looked to her daughter who was dressed as an angel, complete with real feather wings.
"Bye-bye baby. You be a good girl for grandma and make sure you behave!" Rayne giggled. "Bye mom. I've got my cell phone on me, so if there's anything wrong, you know what to do."
"I know sweetheart. You have a good time! Bye-bye girls, you both look just as lovely as well." Which wasn't a lie. Chi-Chi was wearing an old-fashioned ballroom gown from the late 1800's, her hair was powdered white and done up so a few long ringlets fell down her back to brush over the crimson and gold dress she was wearing.
Chi-Chi hurried down the steps to get into the awaiting limousine and took off with a wave, hand sticking out of the window. Bulma and Star got into the family limousine and Star whispered the address to the driver. The car ride wasn't that long, but Bulma stared out of the window trying to figure out where she was. The car passed through large golden gates and she sat back against the seat. "I give."
"You give what?"
"I give up. I have no clue where the hell I am."
"That's good. That's the whole point." I'm so glad Chi-Chi didn't tell Vegeta that Bulma's going to be here tonight, though I know he wanted her to come just to have someone to bother. But this is going to be the surprise of a lifetime.
The car stopped and a man dressed in red and white opened the door with a flourish. Star was the first one to be handed out and she stepped lightly onto the red carpet that stretched from the drive into the front door. Bulma was out of the car and looked around. The place was nowhere near as large as her house, but still, whoever was throwing this party was defiantly rich."Holy shit. This place is just, holy shit!"
Star laughed at her friend's amazement. She reacted just like that when she first visited the house for a report she had to do a few years ago. "Isn't it just, wow?"
"I cannot put it into words. Oh! We forgot the cookies!"
"Don't worry about it, I got Yuki to put them into the car, and now someone is taking them inside."
"Oh, all right. Sounds good..."
"What do you say we get in there and party it up?"
"Sounds like a good plan." Bulma grasped Star's hand and gave it a quick squeeze before following behind her friend. People outside stopped to look at the pair as they almost floated up the stairs, moving with such grace in their costumes.
"Star! Hi!" A voice called from the right of the two.
"Oh hey Jess! How are you?" Star smiled to her friend. "Bulma, this is Jess. He's like the only guy out there that can actually understand me!"
"Bulma, hello. My, you're just... amazing. But forgive me. Star, how did you come up with a butterfly?"
"It really was Bulma's idea actually." The girl flushed slightly and fidgeted with her gold dress.
"And it was no hassle. She's just perfect for it, but shh! Remember, you're not supposed to know who everyone is. You've seen us without our masks, let's see if you can find us with them on!" Bulma giggled, attaching her mask to her face. Star did the same thing and together they took off in a light run up the rest of the stairs and inside.
For Bulma, the scene inside almost shocked her. The outside of the house seemed to be so calm and elegant, while the inside there were people dancing wildly on the dance floor that had been set up. There were so many people there, and she felt like she was crowded. She knew only Star, and even that person was pulled away from her as soon as they stepped foot into the house.