Author's Notes: Viola! New chapter which didn't take very long to update. Ha, that is impressive for my life. Anyways, I want to thank all of the reviewers from last chapter including Gohanroxme and Hannah. Your words meant a lot to me and gave me the motivation to publish this next chapter. Like I stated with the last chapter, I am sticking to the storyline and character base as close as I can. I will try not to go out of character as best as I can. Though with Eighteen, she did change quite a bit from the Android saga as opposed the Buu saga. May not seem it, but you can tell by her actions towards her family that she did progress quite a bit. I am going to attempt to cover that in this story. Anyways, enjoy!
Silence Speaks Stronger Than Words
Chapter 2- The Fight is Over
Eighteen looked down at the soiled water at her feet. It was rinsing off of her in different shades of brown and grays. She was obviously a mess from the events that happened that day and was more than content taking a much needed shower. She may not have noticed it at first, but there were many soiled strands of hair, dirt (and whatever else she collected) behind her ears and neck. She had to fight through the different tangles and knots of her hair to be able to run the shampoo in it.
Speaking of shampoo, she was wondering when the last time the bottle had actually been used. The occupants at the Kame House seemed to all be hairless which explained the aged ring of soap around the top of the bottle. Regardless, it was something. Nonetheless, she made sure to use the rest up even though more than half of the bottle remained.
She didn't exactly know how long she spent in the shower. It had all felt more then good. Though, a thought had struck her mind. When exactly was the last time she took a shower? She was unsure of how long the creep had imprisoned her in the life support chamber. Heck, it could have been months for all she knew. Though, a sick feeling in her stomach overwhelmed her at the realization that he could still have his touch on her.
Grabbing the body rinse, she made sure she used the rest of that bottle as well. She used enough pressure to nearly rip off her skin with the soap all while trying not to vomit at the mere thought of it.
Finally, she gave in and turned off the water when there was barely any pressure behind it or warmth for that matter. She peeped her head out of the shower to ensure there was no wondering eyes or unexpected company in the room. When she realized the coast was clear, she grabbed the towel that she had perched on the toilet seat to wrap around herself and proceed to the mirror.
She took a long gaze at herself and sighed. Dark rings were more than evident around her blood shot eyes. It definitely was apparent that she had gone through a lot recently. It was almost hard to believe the turn of events that had unfolded between escaping the dark fate of the lab, encountering and testing her newly obtained strength on the Earth's Special Forces, getting swallowed and then regurgitated by a being that she thought only could exist in her nightmares, and now taking in some hospitality from what seemed like a love struck monk whose best friend she threatened to kill.
Eighteen took her fingers through her hair in attempt to brush it out. Doing so, she let out a long, unexpected yawn that seemed to sweep lethargy across her body. "I thought the doctor told me I couldn't get tired. What was all this about unlimited energy?" She asked herself letting out another yawn.
She shook it off and slipped into the clothes Krillin had given her. It wasn't much, just a slightly oversized black tank top that must have been worn by a previous female visitor, and a pair of worn out jeans. There was no doubt in her mind that she would burn the clothes that she had worn in the body of Cell. Honestly, she didn't even want to touch the soiled remains.
She let out a grunt as she picked up her towel and disgusting clothes. Her core and limbs ached considerably still, even after the regeneration of the green being's power. As she opened the door into the bedroom which was more than likely Krillin's, she decided to throw herself on the bed in attempt to relieve some of the aches in pains...perhaps just to rest her eyes for a second, as well.
-/-
"She's been in the shower for quite awhile. Sheesh, at this rate, we won't have any hot water for the next year!" Mumbled Oolong. "I don't even think Bulma was that bad and that's saying a lot!"
"Well, she probably needed it. She was, afterall, in the belly of Cell," replied Krillin as he took a sip of his coffee. "In a way, I don't blame her."
Roshi couldn't help but give a lecherous chuckle. Krillin could only sigh as he could only imagine what he was thinking about. "Master, it is not a good idea to mess with her. She is really, really strong. I would try to hold off on the inappropriate comments and, well you know."
"That would be like telling Goku not to eat. Impossible!" His two roommates laughed at the comment as Krillin sat there in utter silence.
His heart sank at the comment of his best friend. He just realized that they probably didn't know exactly of the events that unfolded this faithful day. "Guys, how much do you know of what happened today with Cell?"
"He's gone!"
"That Satan guy tried to take credit?"
"Someone should show him what true martial arts is! Even at my age, I could probably knock him senseless."
"Ha, doubt it."
"What are you saying?"
"Stop! Listen!" Krillin let out a long sigh and closed his eyes for a bit. He wasn't exactly sure of how to break the news to his longtime roommates. "Guys, I need to tell you something, and it isn't going to be easy."
They both just cocked an eyebrow from confusion. Roshi even put down his favorite magazine to give his former pupil his full attention. "Well, spit it out!" Cried Oolong.
Krillin licked his lips a bit and took a deep breath in before continuing. " Goku did something today in order to make the ultimate sacrifice to the people of Earth. He...he died today in order to protect everyone."
"So? Didn't you wish him back with the dragon balls? On T.V. They were reporting how everyone magically came back to life. I am sure Goku was-"
"He decided not to come back in order to protect everyone!" Everyone grew silent as there faces transformed into shock. "He said that with him here, the bad guys were more than likely to come after him, putting everyone else at risk. With him gone, we should experience a lot less encounters." He shook his head a bit. "I don't even know how Chi Chi took the news."
Silence struck the room. You could hear the slightest pin drop on the carpeted floors. At an awkward silence, no one knew what to say. Not even the loud-mouthed pig.
"Well, I am going to check on Eighteen to make sure she is all set for her departure in a little bit. I am sorry I had to bring that news upon you guys." He left the room with everyone in utter shock before going upstairs.
As he walked down the darkened hallways, he noticed that there was an unusual silence creeping down the halls. Strangely, he didn't hear any water running, no doors being opened, or even foot steps on the bare floor. "I wonder if she left already?" He asked himself before slowly opening the door to this room.
"Eighteen?" He called out in warning as he entered the room slowly, hoping not to invade her privacy. "Eighteen, are you okay?" He called out again before fully entering the room.
He found her laid out on the bed, completely passed out. Her head was resting on her arms as her dampened hair laid across her face. "Wow, she must be exhausted," Krillin whispered to himself.
Careful not to disturb the sleeping Android's slumber, he quietly opened the closet door in search of an extra pillow and blanket. Once found, he slowly lifted up her head and slipped the pillow underneath it and wrapped her up snug underneath the thick comforter. As carefully as he could, he attempted to brush away the strands of wet hair away from her face to behind her ear. She didn't even make the slightest movements from his actions as she laid there in a world of dreams.
He couldn't help but grin at the once destructive being's face being as gently and vulnerable as can be. He turned off the lights before tiptoeing out and closing the door behind him.
"Sleep well, Eighteen."
Author's Notes: I know, this chapter was a bit short. I wanted to end it at this point because it seemed like a good pausing point before the next chapter. The next chapter should be out within the next couple of days, so bare with me!
