Chapter 5: Just A Kid

Nightfall came swiftly upon the rocky desert, wherein Buu and Baba lay nestled. By chance, the wind picked up late, and a soft rain began falling. Were this not to have happened, the possibility of catastrophe would again be let out. Not more than several miles to the east of the duo's shelter, lay another encampment; this one more robust in its long tenure.

By morning of the next day, a cold and wet fog had descended upon the little tent shelter. For but a few minutes, the wind blew, flapping the tent doors around. Then a figure, tall and lean came striding out of it's opening, in broad gesture. Proud was his face, but innocent too; his long arms were weathered and strong and he purpose with them. As he went to close back up the tent flap, another figure emerged.

This character was not like other. His features were darker, his figure shorter. An air of importance surrounded him but in his eyes was great mystery. Not completely foreign was this look; for even as the taller looked down to greet his other, fear momentarily shot through his heart. A minute later it had passed; but not without the shorter noticing.

"Hey… Goku. Are you alright?" he asked. "You're giving me that look again."

"Oh… it's nothing, Uub. I'm just so cold… I didn't know deserts could get like this! We're going to have to warm up extra hard today!" the taller proclaimed, gesturing about.

Weather such as this was indeed an oddity. The sparse nomads that populated this region had no recollection of such an event ever taking place in their time. Nor had such a remarkable change of weather ever been observed by their fathers; nor even their fathers. Indeed, not even their watchful elders, grizzled and wise, had any memory of this.

The Saiyan Goku, who had many years before killed Buu now stood facing the young lad. Uub was his name, and even the most empty-headed among us could see that this is Buu backwards. For this was Buu too, in his own way. This being was the vessel that King Yemma had chosen to redistribute the Majin's power to.

Goku had chosen to watch over this Uub, and to prevent the evil taint of his power to take over the body. Though Uub did not know it, he was perhaps the strongest being alive. To Goku at least, his motives were to keep this secret unknown.

The two began their daily exercises, to remain physically honed against any threat. Little did they know that such things were in vain; for Buu had no intention of fighting them both. Buu's power had been so drained after his death that he was barely stronger than Baba. Most humans would still kneel and let up to him, but no experienced fighter could he touch.

Instead, Buu would fall back on his oldest tools to get his job done. Fate would have it that impotent as he was, Majin Buu still held his absorption technique.

The creature stirred in his sleep, still dreaming of wizards and sweets. Baba the witch watched him with contempt, her nose wrinkled in disgust. She was an unwarranted prisoner; someone brought into this story by mere chance happenings. Clearly, Baba found this bothersome.

She had not slept much the night before. Instead, she remained awake to watch Buu in case he tried to run off. The only thing worse than being Buu's device was to lose him out here in the untamed wild, she thought.

Kid Buu's face was anything but what it was while he was conscious. The original Buu had been wild, feral beast. His craze in that form remained exhausting as it did terrible. Upon his death, this had given way to a darker and more docile beast. Though, Baba thought, the former emotional way would surely return were he to ever get his power back.

It had been strange for Baba to stumble upon Buu and see him torn in blood and tears. Even stranger was now, as he lay asleep. If anything… he looked like an innocent little child to her; sleeping away his troubles.

When he woke though, his quiet vengeance would return and swiftly. Baba could do nothing but watch here, even as she sensed the presence of Goku… only a few short miles away.

Baba had little knowledge of Majin Buu. This creature was peculiar in every way; and predicting his movements was nigh impossible. For that's what she had assumed was Buu's goal in this perplexing journey. That was, if he ever got over his sweet tooth.

The creature stirred, its pink features twisting and twitching in a curious sight. A bubble of horrid mucus had been sitting atop his nose as he slept. Now that the demon had awaken, it remained, so out of place. He rose and stumbled past Baba, not looking at her. Upon relieving himself, he returned to face her.

Baba's brow was furrowed, and her patience thin. Even the nonexistent wildlife around could feel a nag coming on. "Buu! You've got something on your nose. Now if I'm gonna be seen with you, I want you to be presentable! People see me with you and that just lowers their expectations of my…"

On and on she went. Buu growled softly, but more in embarrassment than in intimidation. He cocked his head to the side, like a curious dog would upon seeing something new. But with Majin Buu, this was no sign of curiosity. It was blatant disrespect.

A small grin came to Buu's face as he did this. While Baba, overpoweringly small in her tirade, continued, he began to smirk even more.

Finally, Baba noticed this strange jest; a wicked little trick. Her reflexes were not quick enough… for in but a moment, the Majin had exhaled rapidly, spilling unknown filth onto the witch and her ball.

What came next was an accident, harmless in thought. But looking back, even Baba would, with a snob, admit to its veritable damage. A scream it was, long and high and shrill too. Amplified through treachery, it pierced through even the dense fog around. So much so, that even a Saiyan in mid fight could hear it.

Goku did. He stopped his progress with Uub, to listen. Still and quiet he was, but no more did he hear.

"Hey! That sounded like… Baba. I wonder what she's doing out here! I hope she's not it trouble. That did sound kind of serious." he said to Uub. "Uub, wait here, I'm going to check it out."

Uub did not object to this. It was horrid weather to fight in and a break to the warm and dry would suit him nicely.

But Goku knew of Baba. He could even sense her. Long was their history together, and if ever a scream like he just witnessed was to be heard, it was a sign of genuine trouble. Baba did not scare easily.

Goku was quick to find her. She was in common position as Goku remembered, crouching over her precious ball. He landed, gingerly, and approached.

"Hey, it was you Baba! I thought I heard you scream. Are you alright?" Goku laughed. It was as much his nature to do so as he was relieved. "Baba?"

For Baba was not moving. Covering her was a rotten mix of unworldly things, green and putrid. She looked up at him, shaking from her distaste, "G-goku! Where's that boy you were training with?"

"What? Oh, you mean Uub? He's back at camp. We're only a few-"

"Fool!" she interrupted, shrilly, "Get him out of here!"

"But… why, Baba?" asked Goku, perplexed.

"There's no time!" screamed Baba again, waving her arms in impatience, "Buu's loose!"

Goku took a step back, not believing her. But suddenly a shock came to him, his eyes widening in disbelief. Baba wasn't lying. He could feel Buu creeping toward camp. It would be only moments until the two parts of Majin Buu would meet, for the first time. And no amount of magic or heavenly power could dare stop it now.