Coincidence
They'd long left the sandy dunes of Diablo desert behind for grassy plains the closer the four teenagers got to West City. And it wasn't long before the wilderness gradually gave way to civilization and the air-car no longer zoomed over dirt paths but the main road.
The reality that she was going to have to say goodbye to ChiChi and the boys only sunk in when they reached the city's outskirts, the car coasting to a halt onto the shoulder in the road. Her blue eyes stared at the large sign welcoming motorists to West City: Home of Capsule Corp maker of the Dynocaps.
Bulma felt her chest constrict as she read the greeting and hastily wiped at the tears stinging her eyes. No time to cry, she told herself. She had a lot of work ahead of her but surely she had some time to spare to thank the three, and maybe do an I told you so over how she could have gotten here on her own.
"What's say we all have one final meal together?" Bulma suggested, "One where we don't do the cooking for a change?"
"That actually sounds good," ChiChi said with a small smile.
"Too bad we can only afford fast food," Yamcha said.
"Oh come on, Yamcha, isn't the company what's really important during meals?" Krillin, ever the optimist, said with a chuckle.
From the reflection in the rearview mirror, Bulma watched the scarred teen open his mouth to protest. When their eyes met, Yamcha darted his gaze away and settled back in his seat with a soft, "Yeah."
"That's settled then! And I know this great place," she declared with a wink and revved the air-car's engine.
They had take-out that Bulma footed the bill for despite ChiChi's refusal (Bulma chalked it up to it being a pride thing,) and which they ate in the car. She would have preferred to actually sit down and eat at the restaurant but she noticed that some of the wait staff were giving her funny looks. And not in the flirting-to-get-a- big-tip way.
Baba's warning to be careful came rushing to the forefront of her mind and it must have occurred to her friends' as well because all three were being extra vigilant. Now and again, from the corner of her eye, Bulma saw ChiChi reach for her bo staff. And in the rearview mirror, both Krillin and Yamcha would bunch their hands into fists whenever another vehicle drove up beside theirs.
"Guys, I appreciate the caution but you're gonna make us look suspicious if you keep acting like that," she said through grit teeth that tried to pass itself off as a smile.
And when they got to Capsule Corporation, Bulma slammed on the brakes. Aqua blue eyes stared in disbelief at the police tape cordoned on the compound's gate. Two police officers stepped out from behind the gatepost, pistols drawn.
"This is a restricted area! Get on outta here!"
"The fuck I will! This is my home!" Bulma yelled back defiantly.
One of the men removed his sunglasses and squinted at the blue-haired teen. His partner had disappeared back behind the gatepost and reappeared holding a photograph. Together they studied the image then the young woman in the driver's seat.
Finally, "Holy shit! It's actually her! Our apologies, Ms. Briefs, please come in!"
The tape tore as the automatic gates swung open to grant her entrance, the strips fluttering in the wind as Bulma drove past. The vehicle coasted down the long stretch of driveway where more armed men in uniform loitered about, chatting or smoking until they spotted her approach. Then they were suddenly at attention.
"I don't like the look of this," Yamcha said beneath his breath, suspicion edging his words. No one in the air-car disagreed.
When they finally came to a stop, the four were escorted inside Capsule Corp and told, "Wait here while I get the Chief Inspector." The tension in the policeman's stance made it clear it wasn't a request.
The blue-haired girl glowered but nodded wordlessly, heart racing in her chest and threatening to jump to her throat at a moment's notice. The only thing that kept her from throwing a massive bitch-fit and helped maintain her composure was the weight of ChiChi's hand in hers and the shadows Krillin and Yamcha cast over her.
They didn't wait long when a bald man with a thin mustache came to greet them. He was smiling affably while he adjusted the insignia brooches pinned to the shoulder-boards of his jacket.
"I'm not saying anything without my lawyer present," the former heiress declared and quickly added, "And neither will they."
"Your lawyer should be here shortly, Ms. Briefs." He was surprisingly soft-spoken for someone so tall. Still smiling, he extended his hand to her, "I'm the officer in charge of this investigation. I'm Chief Inspector Black."
A/N: I just really like puns. Sorry, not sorry. Thank you to all the new followers, new favs, and of course the reviews! Updates are gonna take a while because of the holidays.