Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z or any of its characters. I do however, own the characters Anise pronounced (ah NEES) and Lita Annatto pronounced (LE tah) (ah nah TO)

Chapter Five – Preparations

Capsule Corporation : Present 1:32pm

The two boys were required to remain in Bulma's presence so that they couldn't go sneaking off like they normally would. "Hey Trunks, what if we sneak out while your mom isn't looking?" Goten whispered. "No Goten, what if your dad uses the Instant Transmission technique to come here while we're gone? We'll miss out on all the good stuff." Trunks sighed in frustration, "It'll be best if we stay here 'til they get back." "Ok…" Goten agreed.

There was a knock on the interior door to Bulma's lab. Bulma looked up from her work at her computer and got up to answer the door. "Yes?" she answered as she pulled open the door. She was greeted by Anise, Capsule Corp's main secretary, and another girl she never met before. Bulma looked between the new girl and Anise. Anise spoke up, "Mrs. Briefs I believe you have a visitor. She says that you called about a maid of some kind?" Bulma looked over to the young girl, "Ah, yes I did. Are you the maid that they sent?" "Oh, yes ma'am. They said that I was better qualified for the position." Bulma took another look at the girl, "You seem kinda young to be working as a maid." The girl laughed nervously, "Uh yes ma'am, I do get that a lot." Bulma turned to Anise, "Thank you Anise, I'll take it from here." "Yes Mrs. Briefs," Anise said before excusing herself. Bulma opened the door so that the girl could enter the lab.

Goten and Trunks who were playing a game by now glanced in Bulma's direction to see that they had company. Someone who Trunks assumed was another one of Bulma's employees, so he turned his attention back to the video game. Goten however thought that she was the most pretty person he had ever seen, and tried to keep his attention to the game whilst glancing back occasionally.

"So miss, do you have a name?" Bulma asked. "Oh forgive me," the girl bowed her head in apology. "My name is Lita Annatto." "Lita huh?" Bulma commented. The girl before Bulma seemed way too pretty to be a maid but had a sweet voice. She was fairly thin yet somewhat curvy. She had long black hair which she wore in a loose ponytail over her shoulder, and had light emerald green eyes. The clothes that she wore was a sleeveless light blue tank top, a white tennis skirt which fell above her knees and light blue tennis shoes. To finish the outfit, she wore silver hoop earrings and a silver bracelet on her right arm.

"Oh, here you are Mrs. Briefs, I was told to give you this from my agency." "Hmmm…they sure sent you here rather quickly," Bulma remarked. "Oh yes ma'am, they didn't want to keep a prospective individual waiting." Bulma smiled, so it seems my reputation had something to do with it huh. I'm guessing they noted that I am worth 25 billion. "Well make yourself comfortable dear while I look over your file." "Yes ma'am," Lita responded.

Lita started walking about the lab looking at all the various things lying about, which wasn't too much given that the lab was mostly clean. There was Bulma's computer station and a larger computer center against the wall of the room. There was a big lab table with various mechanical parts on it, some of which could be used to assemble a vehicle of some sort. There was a smaller round table seemingly for guests. There was also a wall video monitor which to Lita may link to somewhere. The lab also had a sink area with some small cabinets here and there. She couldn't help but notice the two boys at the other end of the lab playing a game, one of which was glancing her way on occasion. With nothing else to look at she made her way over to the boys to see what they were playing.

Bulma opened her file and examined her information. She noted the background information and pondered on a thought that she had. This girl seems vaguely familiar to me. Where have I seen her before? Bulma further read that her education background was astounding. She has a degree in mechanical engineering and computer science. Sounds like a better version of me, given that she can cook and all. Why does she want to be a maid when she has a degree? I could really use an assistant. "Hey Lita?" Lita returned to where Bulma was now sitting. "Yes ma'am?" "I've noticed that you have a degree in mechanical engineering and computer science. Do you plan on doing anything with those?" Looking thoughtful for a moment she responded, "Well ma'am, I had tried to apply to work as your assistant a few weeks ago. But I guess the timing was bad, cause I was told that you would be busy with the World Martial Arts Tournament and all." Did I speak to her on the phone? Is that why she seems familiar? Perhaps it is. "Oh I'm sorry about that," Bulma laughed. That's right, I was at the tournament. Some things seemed like a blur though. I remembered Goku being granted a day on earth to compete, but for some reason he, Vegeta and Gohan left. But anyway…

"Well, how does it sound if I make you my assistant?" "What, you really mean that?" Lita could hardly believe her ears. "Yep, I've been needing an assistant with the new project I'm working on. Not as young as I used to be ya know." Lita could barely contain herself and gave Bulma a warm hug. "Oh thank you Mrs. Briefs, thank you so much!" "Uh, you do still realize that I am still hiring you as a maid as well right?" "Oh yes ma'am, I do." Bulma smiled, "Well good. When can you start?" "I should be able to start right now ma'am." "Haha," Bulma chuckled. She had to admire the girl's enthusiasm. "Hmm.." Bulma thought, "How about this? How about you move in here at Capsule Corp., that way you won't be late to either job and won't have to pay an apartment rent." "But ma'am I don't want to impose…" Lita suggested. "Oh nonsense. There's plenty of room here. And you can start bright and early in the morning if you want." Lita smiled brightly, "Yes ma'am." "Oh and Lita…" "Yes Mrs. Briefs?" "Call me Bulma please." "Yes Mrs. Briefs…I mean Bulma." "Well, I guess you can leave to get whatever clothes and stuff you need," Bulma suggested. "Yes ma'am." Lita bowed her head and headed back to the main lobby. Bulma sighed…"It's gonna be hard to break her out of calling me Mrs. Briefs or ma'am."

Goten having lost interest in the game came up to Bulma, Trunks listened while keeping his attention on the game. "Hey Bulma, who was that girl?" Goten wondered. "That Goten is my new maid and my assistant." "You hired a maid?" Goten asked. "Can she cook?" he added. Bulma sighed, "Yes Goten I believe she knows how to cook." "When is she coming back?" Goten asked. "She'll be here in the morning."

Arriving at the lobby Lita still couldn't believe she was Bulma Brief's hired assistant. After trying for so long she was working along side one of the most ingenious people on the planet. The best part is, I get to stay here at Capsule Corp and not have to pay rent! I hope my luck keeps up with me…I hope I'm safe here. Reaching the outside of Capsule Corp. Lita pulled out here capsule pack and took out a car vehicle capsule. Time to get packed. She jumped in the open topped vehicle and drove in the direction of her apartment.

Kami's Lookout : Present 2:05pm

Mirai Trunks watched as Goku and Gohan sat quietly absorbed in thought. The discussion they had shared earlier with King Kai was still fresh in their minds. They were discussing whether they should acquire the dragonballs. But that plan seemed to go out the window seeing as someone made a wish on them just recently, and that they would have to wait another year before they could search for them. The idea of the Namek dragonballs also came up. The Namek Dragonballs are a possibility; they should be ready in three days. But regardless, they were going to have to wait for them to be available again. It was said that this being whoever they may be, would appear again. Gohan voiced that someone maybe attacking them at their weaknesses, that being their loved ones. King Kai mentioned that he was going to keep a vigilant eye on the planet Earth as well as events occurring in the Otherworld, which ended the conversation. Afterwards, Goku walked off to the far end of the Lookout and sat down. Mirai Trunks gathered that Goku was hurting and badly. Gohan too had walked away from the group and stood at the edge of the Lookout alone. Trunks wished he could go back in time and undo what was already done. But that alone wouldn't stop the events from this time line from happening. Just then an idea came to Mirai Trunks, what if I go back in time before this occurred. It wouldn't change anything, but at least we'll know who we're dealing with.

"Hey guys, what if we go back in time using my time machine and stop this before it happens?" Mirai Trunks offered. "I mean of course it won't change anything that's already happened here, but it will allow us to see what happened to Chi-Chi."

Goku, although he was far away, heard this and seemed very interested in the idea. Gohan also gave Mirai Trunks his full attention. "So, you're saying we take your time machine to the past to see what happened?" Goku replied. "Yeah, we can rescue Chi-Chi from whoever attacked her and learn some information about who that energy belonged to." With a new sense of purpose Goku stood up quickly and ran over to the rest of the group. "That's a great idea Mirai Trunks! Let's go now!" "Uh, easy Goku. I do have to let ya'll know of the risks involved. Besides we have plenty of time." "Ok." Goku said eagerly. Gohan too had returned to the group to hear more about the plan. "First, we 'cannot' intervene with our other selves. But we can intervene to help Chi-Chi." Goku's eyes seemed to reflect a new vigor. "So Goku, Gohan and Father, it maybe best if ya'll would be the only ones to intervene." Piccolo spoke up offering his advice, "It might be a good idea for me and Dende to remain here. If something happens to him in the past, the dragonballs won't be available here. Also, it's a good idea if at least someone stays here, in case that energy emerges again." Goku nodded, "Uh huh, that's a great idea Piccolo. I think I'll bring the boys back here just in case." "While you're at it Kakkarot, be sure to bring Bulma here as well." "Say dad, why don't you bring everyone here. That way everyone we care about will be protected." "Ok Gohan. Mirai Trunks, is there anything else we should know before I leave?" "Hmm…as long as I am in charge of the time machine everything should be fine." "Mirai Trunks, maybe you should give me a crash course in how to use it, just in case." "Sure Gohan. I guess we can go over it while Goku's gathering everyone." Mirai Trunks pulled a pack from his inside jacket pocket and took out the capsulated time machine. He pressed the button, and seconds later his time machine appeared. He and Gohan walked to it and Mirai Trunks began explaining its mechanisms.

"Well, I'll be back as quick as I can." Goku placed his fingers on his forehead and vanished.

Author's Notes : If ya'll are curious as to Lita's appearance, just look at my image on the profile page. Later…