Chapter 13: Beginning of the Finals

Once the fights were done, we were able to visit friends that weren't participants. Goku and Krillian ran, cheering, while I walked at a slower pace. We can to a crowd to look for our friends and master. Krillian and Goku were too small and could only search around the taller people's legs. Now, while I was taller, I didn't have much luck with looking over the crowd either. Then I saw Goku standing on an old man's head looking. Goku found them soon enough.

We got to them and got to cheery, happy greetings. I saw Master on the ground but put it off when Bulma hugged me. Whenever I come and visit Bulma during that time I always kept her updated on what's happening. I remembered just then.

"Oh, hey, guys, this is Krillian. He's been training with under Master Roshi for a while now."

Krillian did a proper greeting after that. Goku informed Bulma that we, plus Yamucha, passed to enter the finals. We got cheers from Bulma and Puar, congrats from Oolong, and praise from Master. Then the loud voice told us to return to the building to decide who we are going to fight. Goku and Krillian started to climb the wall to get their faster while saying farewells. I stood back and said mine properly before hopping, twisting in mid-air, over the wall to chase after the boys.

Goku met up with Yamucha and talked. I stood off to the side to watch the interactions, calculating their strengths. An old man came up to me, asking me if I was a contestant. I thought it was a bit dumb to ask that, so I didn't say anything. I took a closer look at him, he seems familiar.

"Do I know you? You seem familiar to me."

He started to get a nervous smell to him over the smell of oranges, but way~ under that he smelt familiar. Being older means that my senses are more matured than Goku's, I could pick up scents he would probably miss. Though he was calm faced but nervous smelled, he denied calmly, until,

"Well, unless you and me could get together and have a good time. Heh heh heh heh."

I shook my head, saying, "Sorry uncle, but after this tournament I'm still going to train. I won't have time to play games," I looked to Goku, "I've got to make sure my little brother can take care of himself if he were to leave me."

The old man sobered up and looked at my brother, the direction I was smiling bittersweet at.

"Well, that is a good notion. My name is Jackie Chun by the way."

I smiled brightly. "My name is Son Kagome, nice to meet you."

Then when the old man walked away, I moved over to Goku to get involved in his conversation. Since he hasn't gone from my side yet, I'm going to make the most of it.

Then a stink, NO a horrid stench, came. Goku squeezed his nose closed after a small whiff of it. My small whiff had me dizzy and numb. I fell over in almost unconsciousness. I was caught by Yamucha with one arm; the other was covering his nose. His arm was over my waist as I leaned on his chest. I buried my nose in his chest to take in his scent instead of the stench of the huge man passing by.

Through the black spots clearing by breathing in Yamucha's scent; trees, dessert, and a certain maleness (a hard combination), I heard the information he provided.

'It's disgusting, but it's a way to fight. Though, I am NEVER going to ever be like that. I like my baths.'

I felt Yamucha shift when the stench was gone. His other arm was placed on his side and I can feel him relaxed, but with a tension underneath. I noticed that his one arm that was on my waist was still there. I stayed were I was until I knew the air was breathable again. I pulled away and looked at his arm until his arm slide away. I smiled thanks at Yamucha and moved toward the proctor of the tournament, as was called. I didn't notice Krillian glaring at Yamucha or Yamucha's slightly goofy and content smile.

I was ready for Mr. Stinky this time, but I could still smell him through my mouth until he move a bit ways in the back. The proctor then told us have the slots were to be filled by luck of the drawing. I felt a pull on my elbow. I was being pulled by Jackie.

"I want to fight this lady."

I blinked.

"Let's not be selfish here, please!"

The slots started to fill up. Namu was in slot 6, battle 3. Gilan was in slot 8, battle 4. I plugged my nose for Bacterian getting his slot #2, battle 1. I breathed a sigh of relief when he went away. Yamucha got slot 3, battle 2. Krillian got slot 1, battle 1, against Bacterian. Krillian despaired.

The proctor then asked for a few people that wasn't here, I had a theory. I looked at the clip board over the side of the man. I knew it.

"Um, that says Son Goku."

The proctor blushed for saying Goku's name wrong. Goku has slot 7, battle 7, against Gilan. My name was called, but instead of 'Kagome', the proctor said,

"Uh, something must not be right, but is there a Son 'Caged Bird' in here?"

My cheeks went up in flames in embarrassment and slight anger. I stomped over to get my slot.

Muttering, "It's Kagome! Son Kagome!"

I rummaged the box for the piece of paper. I pick one up.

"It says number 5."

I looked at the board. I was up against Namu. I looked at the rest of the board. If I win my match against, I'll be up against Goku. The proctor then described the rules for the finals. No hitting the eyes or the vitals, Goku didn't understand the latter in terms of wording. The proctor excused his rudeness and said the proper terms. I was I bit confused on the terms of the latter rule. I understood it, but I don't have any of those, but it was redundant to say so the proceedings went on, but Goku want lunch.

I smiled at Goku when he asked Krillian and I if we wanted some. He was getting better at his manners. Krillian refused, but I wanted something to eat as well and ate we did.

Soon, it was the start of the finals. The proctor announced this to the cheering crowds along with the order of the matches and who will be in them.