The events for now take place four months and ten days after the Buu Saga. For those of you who don't know, Rou Dai Kaioshin gives Goku his life allowing him to return to Earth. Vegeta's life is restored when all of the people who died are wished back to life. Goku destroys Buu with the Super Spirit Bomb and Shenron erases everyone's memories of Buu. There's a brief synopsis of what happened. The word Mirai = future, in this context it isn't said but I added it for clarity. From here on there will be some fowl language, violence and adult themes. Hint that's why this story is rated M. So the feint of heart needn't read if they can't handle it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or any of its characters. If I did I would be very rich right now, lol.
Some things to remember…"quotes" = speech, italics = thoughts and the 'apostrophes' = emphasis on a word.
Chapter Three – A Life Removed
Capsule Corporation : Present 11:25am
Looking at the clock, Bulma realized she had slept in late yet again. I hope this is just a phase or something…but then again, I am staying up late again working on something new. She gazed over to the other side of the bed and saw no one was there. Figures…he usually gets up early to train. Eager to start working again she got out of bed and got dressed. She decided on a jeans skirt with a white tank top. She looked at the unmade bed and shrugged and said to herself, "I should really hire a maid or something." She left the room with out a second thought about chores.
I wonder if Vegeta and Trunks are training… Bulma made her way down the hall thinking about what to do for the day. My new project's coming along slower then I hoped I wish my son were into engineering. Making her way to the kitchen she saw two rather anxious and hungry looking individuals. Oh boy, here we go… "Goten, I didn't know you were staying over?" Goten smiled slightly and stuttered, "Um, uh I hope you don't mind Bulma, but Vegeta wanted me and Trunks to train some more. With the fusion I mean." Bulma rolled her eyes and moved to make her favorite cup of black coffee. Bulma opened the cabinets and began rummaging through it. Her hand moved across a familiar container and she set it on the counter top. She added some coffee to the maker and waited until the brew was finished.
"Mom we're hungry," said Trunks wining. Bulma turned to him and raised an eyebrow, "And you want 'me' to cook something for you?" Trunks made a face of disgust and frowned. Goten nudged Trunks in the arm, "What are you doing? You know your mom can't cook." "I know Goten, but gross food is better than none," Trunks retorted. "I heard that!" Bulma fumed. Both Trunks and Goten cowered a little. "Look, if you two don't like my cooking then fine." "But it's not just us, everyone hates your cooking." Trunks smacked Goten in the head, "Shut up dummy, you're gonna get us in trouble." Bulma smiled a little and said, "So how do pancakes sound?" Both answered, "uhh…" unsure of what exactly to say. Without even caring what their answers were, she turned back to the cabinets, got out the ingredients and started making breakfast. Trunks glared at Goten causing him to fidget in his chair. She started mixing the batter and then began the task of cooking the pancakes. Ten minutes later, the kitchen smelled of something charred. Bulma presented a rather large stack of pancakes on the table for Trunks and Goten. "Eat up, or there's more where that's coming from." With that, the two began to dig into the charred stack, hoping that the syrup could mask the taste of it.
Bulma poured herself a cup of coffee and left the kitchen with her mug in hand. Hmph, that'll teach them… she said marching defiantly to her lab. Cooking is such a task that I hate doing. And then there's the chore of cleaning up the dishes and the house for that matter. She noted that the first thing she was going to do was call a maid. After passing the many bedrooms she reached her lab and opened the door.
Walking in, she saw someone there that she would never have guessed to pay her a visit. "Mirai Trunks! What on Earth are you doing here?" "Hey mo…, uh Bulma," he corrected himself. "It's ok Mirai Trunks, you can call me mom if you like." Bulma made her way over to where Mirai Trunks was standing. "Well call me crazy, but the only time you come to visit is when something bad is going to happen." Mirai Trunks sighed, "I know, trouble seems to follow me where ever I go. But for once my visit here has nothing to do with the future or death, or at least I sure hope not." Feeling very relieved Bulma smiled and took a seat at her desk; she motioned for Mirai Trunks to do the same. "So, what brings you here son," the word son sounded a bit odd to Bulma. He's not that much younger then I am…
She looked over his appearance, and saw that he had let his hair grow out a little bit; it was almost to his shoulders now. His clothes didn't seem to have changed much, but one could tell that his muscular built was evident beneath his garb. The sword he so admired was leaning against the desk. He seemed paler then she remembered though. She was glad that his handsome face didn't seem to have aged much. But the look in his blue eyes seemed to echo the sorrow and pain he had endured from the lost of his loved ones. How she wished that those eyes would change and become hopeful again.
Mirai Trunks took a seat and continued, "I'm here because mom wants me to live a little, and she suggested I come here to do that." Bulma smiled, "Well I can't argue with that suggestion now can I." She leaned forward and gave Mirai Trunks a bear hug. She released him and said, "Well I hope you find happiness here. Vegeta will be happy to have you here as well." Mirai Trunks smiled for what seemed like the first time in years, "Thanks mom, I'm glad to hear it." Bulma smiled then turned towards her desk and searched the surface; she grabbed what she was looking for and began dialing a number. "Who are you calling mom?" "First things first, I need to hire a maid."
Kami's Lookout : Present 12:00pm
As usual, Piccolo was seated meditating. Dende ran over to him; he hated breaking his concentration while he meditated, but this news was urgent. Sensing Dende's approach, Piccolo stood up and waited for him. At his side, Dende asked, "Do you feel that? Whatever it is feels, evil." "Yes Dende, I sense it. It's hard to pin point its location though." "Yeah, the Ki I'm sensing is making me shake uncontrollably." So, he's shaking too. Whoever this person is, will be a force to reckon with. Piccolo walked to the edge of the lookout and concentrated. He was searching for Goku to alert him of the new possible threat.
Son Household : Present, 12:15pm
Chi-Chi smiled as she busied herself with her chores. I can't believe it, my son is going to ask Videl to marry him. I will admit I didn't like her at first. But now she's starting to grow on me. She reminds me of…well, me. Chi-Chi stood up and hung the last garment of clothes on the line and laughed to herself. Goku is helping him pick out a ring. Oh, I hope Videl asks me to help her plan the wedding. Absorbed in thought Chi-Chi didn't notice that there was someone standing behind her, watching her. She finished her task, grabbed the empty basket and turned around. "Ahhh!" she started, dropping the basket on its side. Instinctively Chi-Chi got into a fighting stance, "Who…who are you?" She was a bit unnerved that someone had managed to sneak up on her unnoticed. Her instincts usually alerted her to danger. Chi-Chi's eyebrows furrowed and her body began to tremble. This individual was emanating a horrible, evil presence. One in which was hard for Chi-Chi to shake.
The person stood there not moving. Who is this person… Chi-Chi examined the intruder more closely. Chi-Chi was a bit confused as to who or what this person was. The person before her was a woman, dressed solely in black and had a black aura surrounding her. The strange thing was that this person appeared translucent, you could see the landscape through her. What was even more strange was the fact that there seemed to be another person inside of her, or rather engulfed by her. There was a smaller figure that Chi-Chi couldn't seem to recognize any distinguishing features; the creature appeared to be, for a lack of a better word, black. How two people could occupy the same body was beyond her. She looked up to the creature's seemingly pretty face and noticed that there was a halo above their head. What on Earth!… Why do the crazy ones always manage to find me?
Chi-Chi was about to ask again when the figure responded. "Where is Son Goku?" Why does every one want Goku! "Who are you and what do you want with 'my' Goku?" Chi-Chi found it hard to keep the shakiness out of her voice. "Ah! So you are his wife I gather." Chi-Chi stiffened. Idiot! Why did you have to say 'my' Goku to a complete stranger? She already didn't like where this was going. "Goku isn't here! Now get off of my property." Chi-Chi tried to sound intimidating but found it very hard to focus. I hope this person doesn't want to fight…oh Goku, where are you when I need you.
I was hoping to throw a wrench in her plans. I know she screwed up 'my' plans. And Son Goku isn't here. Dammit! The figure made an angry expression, "shit, this body doesn't have much time left," she said just above a whisper.
Chi-Chi caught wind of what the figure had muttered under her breath. She doesn't have much time left? Does she mean that she's bound for the Spirit world soon, like Goku was? Was she granted a day on Earth as well?
The figure moved towards Chi-Chi slowly, "I guess I'll have to settle for you then." Chi-Chi's breathe quickened and she readied herself for a fight. NO, she wants a fight. Can I even beat her? Without warning the figure closed in on Chi-Chi in an instant. Chi-Chi could only respond in shock to this abrupt action. Stepping back, Chi-Chi watched as the figure held out her hand in front of Chi-Chi's face and a black light surrounded Chi-Chi. Pain shot its way throughout Chi-Chi's body. Unable to cope, she let out a shrill scream. Chi-Chi couldn't think, the pain was far too much for her to bear. Upon instinct, she clutched her shoulders, trying to will the pain away. It felt as if her body was on fire and being ripped to shreds. As the attack continued, Chi-Chi's body seemed to dissolve into thin air. Opening her eyes she watched in horror as the attack tore through her and her body was giving away to what seemed to be dust. She closed her eyes one last time and thought of only one thing…Goku.
The attack finished, and Chi-Chi was no more. The figure withdrew her arm and turned to walk away. "We will meet, Son Goku." In a flash of light, the figure was gone.