Chapter 23: The Last Dragon Ball

I huffed a bit from the long run, but I called out to everyone when I was near. I didn't notice he was there until the smell of soap, desert and forest invaded my senses, and I was looking over his shoulder. I could feel my face burn as I stiffen in his tight embrace. I heard Bulma cough. I felt Yamucha jerk and let go of me with his own blush. I also feel Goku take my hand and lead me away from Yamucha. I paused in front of a pouty Bulma to grab her hands. She looked at me startled.

"Thank you Bulma! Thank you for teaching me about more stuff about computers. Now the Red Ribbon Army won't know anything about us anymore!"

She started to smile with me, and her shoulders slumped.

"Well, I can't stay mad at you for too long and you're welcome. It's nice to know that what I taught you came in handy in possibly saving all our skins!"

I froze when I heard she was mad at me, but I smiled shakily when I remembered he was still near-by. I was too distracted realize she moved away and dazed to pay any attention to anything the guys were talking about. I just pulled my knees to my chest and covered my face with my hands. I felt so embarrassed and guilty, and I didn't know why! I blinked when I felt Goku lifted me and put me on Kintoun. I turned my gaze to his concerned one as we flew through the sky.

"Sorry, for worrying you. I just feel so uncomfortable around him. I'm embarrassed about myself and guilty for something, and I don't know why!"

We landed on Master Roshi's beach. I moved to the restroom as soon we got into the house. I splashed my face with cold water. I breathed and looked at myself in the mirror. I can still see a bit of red staining my cheeks and my face paint is still there, but I think I calmed down enough.

I walked out in time to hear Master Roshi suggest to us to go to Uranai-Baba's Palace. He showed us where to go on an old yellow parchment map. We walked outside to board the air craft to go over to Uranai-Baba's place. I sat in the back while I waved goodbye to Master and Bulma.

On the way over to Uranai-Baba's place, Yamucha pointed out the state of attire Goku and I had. They were ripped and dirtied. I was still nervous, but I had to agree with him. We all stopped at the nearest town on the way to our destination. Goku and I went in a tailor's shop. Now, I felt more nervous since everyone else followed. I browsed the store as Yamucha picked an outfit for Goku. When I got back, Krillian shoved a folded piece of material in my arms before I could get a good look at Goku's outfit and rushed me into a changing room. I didn't know why he did it, but I decided to put on the cloths for amusement's sake.

I stepped out in a simple and frilly light blue dress when I heard the others laugh at Goku. My hair was tied back with a white ribbon.

"Hey, stop that! You just did that to laugh at him didn't you?"

They stopped laughing when I came into view. They just started at me. I began to get nervous. I started to fidget with my fingers until Goku came into my line of vision when I stared at my feet.

"Wow, Kagome, you look amazing."

I smiled as I blushed.

'When did I become so self-conscious?'

"Thank you, Goku"

But, I couldn't really get this dress. I turned to the tailor.

"Excuse me, but can you make two outfits like the one my brother is wearing for the both of us? I'll pay for the materials."

The man just nodded and asked about the dress I was wearing.

"Oh, no, it's a beautiful dress, but, with my profession, I don't want to ruin it."

I went back to the changing room to change out of the dress into my previous outfit. After that, we went outside to wait for our outfits to be made within the hour and a half. Goku flew off to go get Upa before I could volunteer to go with him. I am still so awkward around Yamucha that I just sat off to the side awkwardly as we drank at a café until Goku came back with Upa.

Goku and I went into the tailor's changing room to change into our new outfits. Goku wanted to change in the street, but I steered him to dressing rooms in the shop. Upa greeted me with a leaping hug and wanted to ride on my shoulder. I was only too happy to do so. When I heard the small comment from Krillian, I couldn't help myself but to giggle. He thought Upa as a girl. I nudged my once training partner.

"Upa is a boy."

Krillain froze and laughed awkwardly.

"Ah, uh, yeah, I knew that."

We boarded the air craft again. I had Upa in my lap. Krillain kept giving glances in our direction, but I didn't really know what he wanted. We soon landed near Uranai-Baba palace. We stepped up to the entrance along with a group of large muscled men and humanoid animals. It was stifling hot here. I pulled the front of my gi to breathe easier and cool down. I heard sputtering next to me and looked toward Yamucha turn around with red coming out of his nose. I was going to ask him if he was ok dispite my aunxious feelings surrounding him at the moment when a small pink stereo type looking ghost in a straw hat came along shaping the line in front of us.

"Ok. Ok, stand in line. Stand in line."

"Is this Uranai-Baba's Palace," I asked.

"Yes, party of six?"

"Yes"

I glanced at Yamucha as he did the same. I cleared my throat and tried to focus on the line. All of the men there were really buff; I wondered if there was going to be a fight. Then I noticed a richly dressed couple pass by, so I shrugged off the feeling. It wasn't until I heard the noises after the buff group in front of us went in. It sounded like a fight but not a winning one as I saw when they came out battered and bandaged.

I eyed the entrance warily now, my mood picked up at the prospect of a fight. It could help me release some tension. After watching the other's reactions in amusement, we were led inside.