Blow a Kiss, Fire a Gun
(Someone to Lean On)
Three years had passed, come and gone. Rori would like to think that they had passed quickly, but they were pain staking long years. Three years and she should have been over him, shouldn't have had another thought about him. Yes, there were even moments she could say that she didn't think of him, but they were fleeting.
Life wasn't bad, per say. She had followed Yamcha's advice. She lived with Yamcha for a few months before she had saved up enough to get her own apartment. She found a nice job, athletic modeling. It was an ideal job for her. It paid her to train, which was what she loved. It gave her pretty clothes and enough money for an above average life style, while doing the thing that she loved. Any girl should be so lucky. Yet as she stared at herself in the mirror, it wasn't right. Something was missing. The color was gone in her life.
The person who was staring back at her didn't look like someone she new. A fancier nicer dressed version of who she used to be. In her haze she continued to get ready for the photo shoot, thinking of how she almost felt like she was back on the Freeza's ship. No, that wasn't true, she wasn't really trapped here. She could leave whenever she wanted, but where would she go? Bulma and Vegeta had some very strange relationship going on for some time now. Best to steer clear of that storm. Goku and Gohan were still training together... and racing cars together? She had seen them once when she was near their home on a photo shoot. Luckily none of them saw her. She wouldn't have known what to say. The city was best... for now at least.
"So... anything or anyone new?" Samantha, another model asked as she fixed her clothes an make-up in the mirror next to her. This pulled her out of her haze and she shook her head replying with a simple "nope."
"Are you still not going to sleep with Yamcha? Because if you won't I will!" the girl turned to her and winked.
"Tell me how you really feel, Sam." Rori responded as they both walked over to the set together. Sam was the only friend she'd made in the city. She was a bit strange and none of the other girls seemed to like her because she was always very... direct, but that was why Rori liked her.
"Oh come on I'm kidding. He's always asking me how he can get an in with you. It's been what? 3 years since that asshole quit you and the whole time you've had this nice guy just waiting for you to be ready. You're not even going to give him a chance?"
"I-I..." She tried to remember what her current excuse was for not saying yes to Yamcha when he asked her out. Initially when they had been roommates, Bulma and him had been over for maybe 4 months. Yamcha had been a great friends, hooked her up with her job, told her she could stay as long as she wanted. Then one night he asked her out. Then, she had had an excuse or ten: they lived together, he was Bulma's ex, she'd just ended things with Piccolo, she wasn't ready, they'd become good friends and she didn't want to lose that, and the list went on.
Little by little, all of those problems had started to resolve though and she still continued to say no. They no longer lived together. The day she moved out, he'd asked her again. Once more when another year had passed and it was obvious the Bulma and Vegeta thing wasn't just a fling. Yamcha knew Bulma was her close friend and how much she had said no just due to not wanting any bad feelings. After almost three years, he'd hoped she'd be ready. She'd told him over and over not to wait for her, she didn't know if she'd ever be ready again. He'd told her she was worth the wait even if it was forever. He was sweet. Persistent, but sweet. It made her almost want to say yes, just to assuage her own guilt. Almost all of her excuses were gone now and yet, she could feel a pit in her stomach thinking about dating him. They just weren't right. "I don't know... I just think... I don't get that feeling with him. There's no fire there."
"Look Rori, you're not a little girl anymore. You should know that not everyone finds their coup de foudre. And in the meantime you're making a nice guy wait. Nice guys are hard to come by, sometimes harder to come by than finding that feeling."
Rori knew that Sam might be right. It couldn't hurt to try and it was obvious she had already found and lost her only fire. It was time for her to try and forget. She couldn't stand stagnant in a colorless world anymore. It was time to take her life back. Piccolo was over her then it was time for her to find herself again and stop giving him inadvertent control over her, "maybe you're right."
"I know I am" Sam said with a smile ruffling Rori's hair like a big sister would, "now come on!"
A few hours later she left the shoot. Today was the day it was all supposed to go down. 3 years. The androids should be here. She had told Yamcha earlier to call her if they needed her, but with her brother around, in control of being a super saiyan no less, she figured they might not even need her. And if they did, Yamcha would give her a call.
There had been no call, so no problem right? She had stopped trying to sense energy for while now. It had reminded her of Piccolo and what he was doing. So she hadn't bothered in 3 years. Rori walked along the river in the small town they had come to today. Having a quiet day despite knowing that a battle was going on. A part of her hoped she was needed. She missed fighting. Maybe that was the color missing from her life. She checked her phone in the late afternoon and had noticed it was on silent while she was in the photo shoot. She had 3 messages from Yamcha.
"Of course...Argh seriously?!" she picked up her phone not bothering to listen to them and called Yamcha back directly.
It rang twice before she heard Yamcha's familiar voice over the phone, "Rori? Are you okay?"
"Uhh... Yeah I'm fine. What's going on? I didn't listen to your messages I just called right away. "
"Goku had been fine but he finally came down with the heart disease today of all days. We're taking him to Master Roshi's. For now he's taking his meds and hopefully he'll be back in working condition soon, but he's in a lot of pain." Yamcha explained.
"I'm glad you're there with him. And the others? The androids?" she asked but only received a silence on the other end of the line.
"What's wrong?" she asked again.
"They're so strong, even after we knew they were coming... I'll fill you in on the details in person, but for now everyone is still alive. The androids are on the hunt though. They're looking for Goku. So lay low. If you can find a car or a plane take them here, but definitely don't fly we don't want them finding him before he's healed."
"Oh, I'm so sorry Yamcha, I should have been there! I left my stupid phone on silent and I was just avoiding... things..." she felt terrible. Forgetting to turn her phone on was one thing, but even so, she should have come anyway. She shouldn't have waited until they needed her. She should have been strong enough to deal with this by now.
"You didn't want to see him if you didn't have to... It's okay... Everyone's all right. Piccolo's not with us. He's at the lookout, so no worries. Get here as soon as you can and stay safe. I have no idea where the androids are."
"Right..." It sounded as if he was going to hang up then, but she called out anyway, "Yamcha?"
"...Yeah?... I'm still here."
It was her turn to go silent. A voice in her head was pushing her to say something. With the androids and how things appeared to be going she might not get another opportunity. She should give him a chance. And yet she chickened out, "Thanks... for being there."
She hung up before she could hear how he answered. Taking a deep breath, Rori tried to come up with her next plan of action. Find a plane or a hover car. Easier said than done. She'd come to this small town with the other girls. Rori headed back to the town center, walking under the archways heading back to where the shoot was earlier to see if she could borrow someone's car. Even a bike would be good right now!
Distracted as she was, she still saw the ball of energy that would be perhaps nothing to her, but deadly to the elderly woman it was aimed at. Rori sprinted ahead deflecting the ball of energy to the sky as the little old lady continued on her path, none the wiser.
Ugh, I don't have time for this!
"You ruined my streak." came a calm low voice from beside her. Rori turned meet the voice and found herself face to face with a dark haired blue eyed stranger. Her eyes met his and without warning, she felt the fire that had been gone. Suddenly the world had color again.
"You're streak?" she asked confused as to what he could possibly be talking about, "of killing old people not even strong enough to carry their own sack of groceries? That doesn't seem fun."
He laughed at this, before taking a good look at her, his eyes scanning her full body, leaving an awkward moment before answering, "You're funny. No, where's the fun in that. I've been knocking their canes from their hands. You have to use just the right amount of force to knock them out of their hands but not just destroy them."
Alright, that didn't sound fun to her either. That just sounded mean. But now she had to know, "And you were on how many, just now?"
"10" he seemed impressed by his own record, but she just scoffed.
Her eyes moved up his body, no this could not be the man who made her feel something. This could not and would not. He wasn't Mr. tall dark and mysterious like Piccolo... he didn't even look very strong, though looks could be deceiving. And what is with that bandanna? How could a guy like this bring color back to her life when someone handsome and kind like Yamcha couldn't. This made no sense. And, hey, wait a second there, "are you... are you one of the androids?"
"Ah, you've heard of me?" he seemed flattered. No this wouldn't do.
"Why were you counting old peoples canes, anyway? Last I heard you were trying to find and kill my brother, not that I'd mind your change in hobbies, just-"
"Oh well, this is a little side project. See, 18 is trying on new clothes and 16's in the car, but he won't stop talking about birds. So honestly I'm just trying to stay sane while waiting."
"You're doing a poor job of it..."
"I'm not a patient person."
"You're not a person..." she muttered to herself.
So, there were 3 androids now? Yamcha hadn't mentioned that. Well so much for laying low. She walked right into one of the androids now. From Trunks' description these things were killing machines. Yet, she didn't feel very threatened next to this one. Something must have gone wrong. Did he just say they were in a car? Maybe she was just dreaming... that must be it. This whole day did seem kind of strange.
"I'm sorry, did I hear correctly... You're driving to go kill Goku?" he nodded not seeing what was wrong with it, "And you can fly? But you're not."
"Where's the fun in that?" he answered and smirked at her, "If the game is too easy it's not worth playing."
This... she could work with this. Even though he was an android, he still had some human-like features. At the very least she could distract him long enough for Goku to heal.
"You know, I was on my way to Goku's too, but since I was just going to protect him, I don't really need to be there until you are."
"You have something in mind?"
"A game. And I'm totally going to kick your ass." she said with a grin.
"Lead the way."
Meanwhile, on Kami's lookout, Piccolo was in the midst of fighting with his better half.
"I will let you have your way, but first I want to wait a little." Kami finally answered as he stood over the edge looking down at the world. Something was happening down there. These androids were different. They could have killed the Z fighters and yet they didn't. Perhaps they wouldn't need to do this after all.
"You're kidding?" Piccolo couldn't believe his ears, "We don't have time for your senile games old man!"
"Be patient. I want to see if they pose an actual threat. You and they others attacked the androids, not the other way around. And yet you're still alive. They knew about the Senzu beans, and yet, they didn't kill you."
"Trunks came here because the future was devastated by the androids and you want wait and see?" he scoffed, this was rich.
"And I believe it was Trunks who said these androids were different somehow. Before I decide I need proof that they really are evil."
"Fine... but when it's too late, remember it won't have been my fault." Piccolo took a seat crossing his arms and closing his eyes, "I'll be waiting right here."
Kami stared at Piccolo. He knew the younger Namekian was probably right. However, from what he could see, something really seemed different about these androids than the ones that were described. One was watching birds, another shopping, and the last... well that was the most astonishing of all. He couldn't bring himself to tell Piccolo however.
Even though Piccolo was the child of his past separated being, he was still as predictable as his old man. They used to be one in the same after all. He knew that Piccolo had never really wanted Rori to leave. He wanted her to have the future she was meant to as a phoenix. A future that Piccolo thought he couldn't give to her. It was this kind of selflessness that gave Kami the confidence to even consider Piccolo's proposition.
Moreover, he had come to have a fatherly sort of relation with the son of Goku. That was probably for Gohan's best as well. He was proud of Goku of course, but there could be much said about his parenting skills... Yes, it was a good thing Piccolo was in the child's life, for both their sake.
Kami was confident if he had to make the decision. It would be the right one. How would his younger half take it about Rori's decision though? Best just try to keep that from him if the time came for the two Namekians to merge.
"And boom! I won!" Rori yelled before blowing a kiss from behind a steering wheel, to the android beside her.
"Cheater..." 17 grumbled while looking for the next game to play.
"Oh come on, don't be a sore loser." she smiled at him crossing her arms defensively, but showed him she was only playing by batting her eyelashes.
The two had been at it for some time now as 17 waited for his sister to finish looking for some new clothes in the town. They had gone through most of the games in the arcade at this point, including the laser tag, which now had a broken gun thanks to 17. Rori had been winning so he broke her gun and continued shooting her until his score was high enough just before the game finished. Sure,shewas the cheater.
When they'd exited the laser tag however, there was a very upset manager about to ban them for breaking the equipment. Rori apologized and took a large bunch of cash from her purse, asking if that would cover the guns. Not many people came to the arcade, and she wasn't aware but she had handed him more than enough, so he told them they could play whatever game they wanted on the house. Well not technically, she did pay him, right ?
They had gone to another game, as if nothing had happened, but it was hard for 17 to let this go by without getting some answers. She was Goku's sister after all, she must be strong, but she hadn't been with the rest of the welcoming party earlier and now here she was paying for something he broke. Why ? What was that old man behind the counter going do to her ? 17 could breath on the guy and he'd probably fall over dead. Why didn't she just knock the guy out or kill him ? Seems like a lot less trouble than handing over her money.
When 17 had questioned her on it, she'd shrugged it off, telling him that those were the rules in this society, that she didn't really mind or care. Besides, the guy was weak as 17 said. She didn't want to hurt him, he was defenseless against her. Maybe she was right, but that didn't mean she had to roll over and just take it.
After the laser tag they'd played a shooting game. He'd won. He was much better with accuracy than her. He was an android after all. She'd just complained that it was his fault for confusing her by asking her when she was going to change her hair color to a normal color.
"What are you talking about?" she looked over at him, with her gun still held up to the screen.
"You know, like the others… Vegeta and the purple haired guy. They looked like you until I knocked them around a bit. Do I have to do that to you if I want to find out what you really look like?" he asked her, his eyes fixed on the screen. He didn't even need to look at her to know that she was fuming. He was racking up his score.
Rori took a deep breath realizing what he was doing and went back to shooting zombies, "This is what I really look like, but I can always become a super phoenix and show you what that looks like if you're so eager to end your life… it is still a life if you're an android, right?"
He'd been right earlier. She was funny. And he was curious. This girl was proving to be an interesting distraction, for now at least. He asked her what the difference was and surprisingly she'd opened up to him. Perhaps she was so busy shooting zombies she didn't realize who she was talking to, but she told him everything. From what a super phoenix was, to why she feared transforming again, and even that she didn't get along with all of the Z fighters due to some personal issues. She didn't mention names, but he at least read between the lines, knowing there was something more she wasn't saying. And ex boyfriend probably. Girls, go figure.
Now, there they were at the racing game. Him calling her a cheater for using a short-cut and beating him at the last second and her shamelessly flirting back with him. And just like everything good, this had to come to an end. They had played all the games and they were tied. The only game that was left was one of those drive and shoot teamwork games with a seat behind a curtain like in a photo booth. They both stared at each other, wondering if they should try to make this last or go back to reality where they were enemies.
17 took her hand leading her to the game. Five more minutes couldn't hurt right?
"17… we can't play versus on this one." she found herself protesting, but he continued to pull her in anyway.
"We'll figure something out" he answered. The space was limited, it was made for kids so the two seater, became more of a one seater, he took a seat before pulling her into his lap and closing the curtain behind her. He had no interest in the game, but he found himself, playing it anyway. He was driving, she was shooting dinosaurs, they were both silent. And she was so close. His forehead was leaning against the back of her neck. Did all girls smell this nice up close? He'd never really gotten close enough to notice before. His sister didn't count.
It was still bothering him, even more now that the game was too easy. His mind had time to wander. It wasn't right, she was better than these people. Stronger. She could crush them. He understood that she didn't want to. Some people were like that… apparently. The Z Fighters appeared to be as well, except for Vegeta. She could at least have a little fun with her powers though. This was just sad though. She was an actually caged bird and he hand found the key to the cage. They were enemies, but he still thought why not? It could be fun to let her out. After all, it is the little things that make life fun.
17 let go of the steering wheel, moving her hair away from her face so he lips could reach her ear more easily. He hesitantly left a few kisses down the side of her neck. Trying it out. Seeing how it felt, how she would react. She stiffened in his arms, but she didn't stop him. He knew this was his sign to continue and let his arms wrap around her waist, slide up her sides of her waist and then up and down her thighs.
"We're different from them you know, the people in this society. You can try to live amongst them, but you'll never be one of them. These kinds of games, this kind of life will never make you happy."
Rori fell silent, she was afraid to ask, already knowing the answer, "What are you suggesting."
"Come with me. Stop playing by their rules and play by your own. You don't have to kill anyone, but at least have a little fun with your powers. The world is at your finger tips and here you are playing games on a screen doing things you could be doing in real life. Come with me for one day and tell me don't feel more alive than you do right now."
Rori turned in his lap, staring at him. The past three years she'd been a shell of herself and no one had noticed, but this man… no android saw right through her. She didn't know how to respond. She knew it was wrong. That was how Freeza had been, but yet 17 wasn't asking her to take over the world or kill people. He was asking her to try and enjoy herself. As far as she knew, these androids had killed no one. Were they really as bad as Trunks said they were. Or was she just as bad as them for feeling like they were right. 17 saw her. He really saw her. She'd misjudged him.
"Just give it a try" he said before he leaned and their lips met. She felt the same surge from him she had when they first met, but this time she embraced it. He slid one his hand under her shirt cupping her breast, trying to find its way under her bra. His other hand helped her straddle him, before he moved it to her lower back holding her in place. She gasped breaking their kiss as she felt him hard underneath her. It had been far too long for her.
"Uh-uh" he shook his head with a smirk, "this is our tie breaker. First one to make a sound loses."
"I told you you were a sore loser" she said before rolling her hips against his, feeling the friction and heat coming from him. He groaned, being taken by surprised and she smirked, "Trust me you don't want to play that game with me, I'll win every time."
Before they could go any further, the room shook from an explosion outside the building.
"Looks like 18's done shopping."
So the androids had a new accomplice on their little road trip. 18 was sitting in the back now dressed in what appeared to be a bright red flamenca dress. She hadn't had much luck with her first shopping pit stop and they had been in the car for a several hours today. The dress was soooooo itchy, but she remained in control, while her eyes scanned for exit signs to the closest town through the front window. Unfortunately, the blonde in the front seat was blocking her view.
What had 17 been thinking bringing this girl with them. When she'd asked him yesterday the only answer she'd gotten out of him was to "chill out". Brothers could be so annoying. She didn't even want to take this road trip, she'd much rather just fly there. It was the logical solution. Even 16 had commented at some point they'd get there faster if they'd just fly.
18 turned to look at 16 and found him staring at her unblinking. She needed to get out of this dress!
"17 stop at the first exit with a town. I'm starting to get itchy." she commanded leaning over the front seat lazily looking at the two of them. She noticed their hands interlocked between the seats and made a gagging noise before sitting back down and folding her arms over her chest.
"Are you okay with this 16?" she asked quietly, "She's our enemy, Goku's sister, and here we are ona joyride with her. Don't you want to kill her or something?"
"She is not Son Goku. I will not fight her."
"Yeah, yeah" she huffed rolling her eyes.
Rori just giggled to herself and leaned her head on 17's shoulder. These could not be the android's Trunks had told them about. 18 was right about one thing though. They were enemies and coming closer and closer to that reality by the seconds. Rori had warned 17 that she wasn't going to help them find Goku, but if they did find him she wouldn't let them hurt her brother. They knew their time together was limited, so a little pit stop for 18 couldn't hurt right?
"You complain we're not going fast enough, but who's the one asking for all the stops?" 17 complained before taking the next exit into a small little town. It looked like something you'd find in an old western movie. He pulled over at the side what appeared to be a clothing store and smirked, "Here you are."
From the look of the outside of the shop, he'd be making fun of her again for whatever she'd choose.
While they were waiting Rori kept her head on 17's shoulder watching the town from behind the window. When she noticed a particular dress in the window she thought to herself that perhaps she should take 17 up on his advice and have a little fun with her powers.
"Hey, meet me at the bar over there in a few minutes?", she asked pointing across the street at bar with a 'saloon' sign overhead and a man in a cowboy hat and boots, smoking a cigarette outide. 17 arched his brow, not sure where she was going with this, but started to open the door anyway. She put her hand to his shoulder stopping, "Not yet... you'll know when."
With a quick peck on the cheek she hopped out of the car and went into clothing store near the car. The clerk was helping 18 find something as she insulted everything he was giving her, yet still trying them on.
"I'll be right with you, missy!" he yelled to Rori from the back of the store.
"Take your time, sir" she called back in her best western accent, trying not to giggle.
Rori walked up to the mannequin she'd seen in the shop window wearing some saloon girl's dress. This was ridiculous, did they really wear this stuff here? Slowly and quietly she slid the dress off the mannequin. She felt like a teenager trying to sneak out of her parent's house.
Rori carefully removed her own jacket, before taking a look toward the back of the store. The clerk was still occupied. Off came her shirt, but she left her short skirt and stockings on underneath. The dress was long enough, and this was her first time attempting something like this. It wasn't worth risking the time it would take to completely change. Another glance to the back of the store. Still being insulted by 18, perfect. She threw her jacket and shirt into her purse before taking one last look to the back of the shop. She felt kind of bad, but told herself if she still felt bad later she could send him a check. Rori took a deep breath booking it out of the store and running across the street, hands holding her skirts up as she made her way to the saloon.
17 had been sitting in the car, unsure of what exactly Rori had been planning, but when he saw her run across the street in that awful purple dress he couldn't help but laugh to himself.
"I'll be right back" he announced to 16, not waiting for a reply and left the car.
When Rori entered the saloon she took a deep breath, unsure herself of where she was going with this. One step at a time. The room was filled with the type of crowd you'd expect in a place like this, men thinking they were tough fighting each other, playing pool, drinking whisky. She was beginning to wonder if they hadn't stumbled upon a film set or one of those pay towns where they give you the 'real experience'. Rori pushed her way through the crowds of mostly men and figured she could at least get herself a drink.
The barkeep was stereotypically polishing his glass as she took a seat next to a man dressed in a dark vest who was threatening the guy next to him, telling him something about if he didn't pay up in the next few days he'd find another way to get the money out of him. Eventually the barkeep noticed her and came right over, "Well what can I getchya, little lady?"
"Whatever's on tap will do nicely." she answered.
"And put it on my tab" came the voice of the guy she'd previously heard threatening someone next to her. She turned to thank him and found his eyes locked on her breasts. This dress wasn't doing her any favors after all.
"What's a pretty thang like you doin' in a dive like this? Must be in a mess of trouble." he asked more her breasts than to her.
"Oh dear me, you can see right through me can't you mister" she said sarcastically placing her hand to her chest as she gasped forcing him to look up at her face for once.
"Well it's your lucky day. I'm gonna help you, but it don't come cheap." he said not getting that she was being sarcastic.
"Well gee sir I don't have much money, but perhaps we can arrange another form of payment." she decided to play along, " you see I was a dancer at a very respectable place, but now it's all turned wrong and the owner won't let me go!"
The guy laughed and shook his head, "Don't you worry. Ain't nobody a faster shooter than me. You're safe here."
The whole bar got quiet at the sound of gun fire outside. A few moments later a the doors swung open and 17 walked in wearing what appeared to be the cowboy at of the man outside and his boots, holding up his two fingers and thumb as if he was holding a gun. This got a rise of laughter out of the people in the bar. He couldn't be serious. He stood at the front of the saloon looking for her through the crowd of people. She quickly hid behind the man next to her at the bar, "that's him."
"What do you want, stranger?" the man asked confidently walking towards 17 with a clink in his shoes. That boy thought his play gun was going to save him?
"Lookin' for my girl" he answered in his best cowboy accent. It was terrible, "she ran out last night and her contract says she still belongs to me. Thought I saw her come in here... blonde...tall... a rack you wouldn't forget."
One of the men in back whistled and some laughed, but the man in front of him walked closer, not knowing what he was getting himself into, "Well I reckon I saw a young thang like that stroll in here, but she done told us quiet a different tale."
"Be careful sir, he's the fastest shooter on this here side of town!" Rori yelled out. She had no idea what she was saying and could see that 17 was trying to keep himself from laughing when he pulled his bandanna down from his face around his neck.
"Don't you worry little lady", the man in front of 17 yelled back to her, "we'll keep you safe."
The man drew his gun and went to shoot 17, but 17 was faster catching the bullet in his hand and crushing it into dust before the man. He then shot energy from his finger tips making 2 small ki blast that shot 2 bottles clear off the back shelf. 17 took a few steps closer looking the man in the eye, " Now I trust you'll let me handle my woman or are we going to have a problem?"
"No-no sir!" The man stuttered before exiting the saloon, tail between his legs.
The android made his way to the bar cornering Rori against the counter, "Well, well look what we have here."
"Do what you must but I'll never be yours!"she yelled at him turning head away from him stubbornly.
17 took her chin in his hand before putting the 'barrel of his gun' up to her face, "well I reckon I don't got a choice then."
"No!" she called out trying to look frightened, "I shouldn'ta run out on you like that I'm sorry sir, please. I'll be good."
She moved her lips to his hand sliding her tongue along the length of his fingers before sucking on them, trying to entice him, "I'll do anything"
"Geez, Rori!" 17 exclaimed wide eyed "Are you trying to get me going right here?"
"Hah! You broke character I win!" she laughed pushing him away. She set her purse on the counter before pulling the dress up over her head and put her real shirt back on.
"This time you definitely cheated!" he said picking her up into his arms leaving a very confused room of drunkards behind to go back to the car. "You realize I'm going to get you back for this"
She sighed, happily in his arms, leaning up to plant a light kiss on his neck, "I can't wait."
As they were waiting outside of the car for 18 to finish shopping, they suddenly felt some hug explosion of power in the distance. "Did a volcano explode or something?" 17 commented.
"That's..." Rori leaned against the car trying to concentrate on the energy. It couldn't be Piccolo. It felt... no it wasn't exactly him, but, "It's an someone fighting..."
The door to the back opened and 16 got out, " Indeed. It is a great battle in the distance."
"You never told us you had energy sensors, 16" 18 said as she walked out of the store with the least cowgirl clothes she could find. Well, at least it was better than the flamenca thing.
"You never asked." 16 replied. "One of the power level is a even a match for yours 17."
"Get back in the car let's go your sensors are broken." 17 laughed.
After three days in the car, the androids had finally reached their destination. Goku's house. They were still just looking for Goku, blissfully unaware of the harm cell had been causing while looking to devour them. Their only problem now was that the house was emptier than they'd expected. 18 was going through Chi-chi's closet and yelling at 17 for making them take such a long trip, "Of course they're not here. It took us 3 days to get here."
"Chill out 18. We'll find them eventually." 17 said trying to calm her down.
"We're flying this time!"
Rori walked around the house, looking at pictures of Gohan as a baby, Chichi and Goku's wedding photo on one of the walls. It was so strange to be here now. She'd inadvertently cut her brother out of her life trying to steer clear of Piccolo. Then she saw it on the table. It was a box of capsules. Not just any. The one Bulma had given her in exchange for her brother's pod so long ago. Rori found herself opening it without hesitation and inside was the capsule with their little house.
She took the capsule and went outside, leaving the quarreling twins inside. She found a spot that looked like there was enough space and click. Boom! There it was. She hesitated before entering the house. Nothing had changed from the day she left, except it needed some dusting. She knew Piccolo would have never come back to their home, before her he'd been fine just sleeping under the stars. She had too most nights. Rori walked up the stairs and went into their old room. The bed was still unmade. She sighed. This was a bad idea. Why was she doing this to herself?
Better not let this go to waste, she thought to herself changing out of her normal clothes and finding some of her old training clothes in the drawers. The ones from Bulma, not Piccolo. The least she could do was change because if she was going to be fighting anytime soon, it wouldn't be in a skirt. She stood in front of the full length mirror in her old clothes. This felt right. She turned to look at her back side and then flipped her hair up. Piccolo's mark was barely there anymore. Best not reflect on that.
She came down the stairs once she finished changing and had to pass through the living room to get to the exit. Rori stopped in front of one of the shelves staring at it. On the shelf was a picture Bulma had taken of Rori and Piccolo when they'd returned from Namek. She pushed it down with a sigh and looked up to find 17 had let himself in was now watching her curiously from the door frame.
"This your place?" he asked and she just nodded. He walked up to her and ran his finger through her hair, cupping her cheek. His eyes turned dark as they fixated on hers, "You're mine now you know?"
"Am I?" she asked. She knew she was his in this moment, but how long was that going to last? Yes, she'd had fun playing between the lines, but this couldn't last. They'd find her brother soon enough and then what? She sighed and tried not to think of it, pulling out of his embrace as she headed for the door, "our real lives our waiting for us."
Before 17 followed her out, he couldn't help himself. He lifted the photo and took a peak. Piccolo? Wow. That he hadn't expected. He hadn't known who to expect, none of the guys he'd fought earlier had seemed good enough for her. If he'd had to have picked it might have been that purple haired one. He didn't know much about that guy, but Piccolo... no he couldn't picture it even when it was staring him in the face.
When he'd seen her come down the stairs in her fighting gear, an array of emotions had washed over him that he hadn't expected. Initially there was an excitement to fight her. After three days together he'd never tested her strength. He could imagine as Goku's sister she wouldn't go down as easily as the others though. Still, he had endless stamina. She'd never beat him even if she was stronger than the rest.
Then came the pit in his stomach. He couldn't describe that emotion, but he knew that whatever it was they had between them now would be over as quickly as it started. She was ready to fight now, but not for the excitement of it. Not to find a challenge in him. It was no longer a game. She was fighting for someone else now.
All of those emotions paled in comparison to the anger that slowly creeped up inside him from looking at that picture. It wasn't the kind of blind anger he'd seen in others like Vegeta when they didn't get what they wanted. It was a flash of amusement and almost denial. No, she wasn't fighting for Piccolo. He pushed the photo down as she had, but he'd cracked it. That's when he noticed the anger, the crease in his brow, the strength he hadn't planned to use. Yet all he could think about it as he pushed the emotion back down in his mind was, interesting.
Once they were both out Rori put the house back into it's capsule form and slid it into her back pocket. Outside 16 and 18 had been waiting for them impatiently.
"Finally" 18 said with a sigh, " Now let's get going."
"You guys go on ahead, we'll be right behind you." 17 answered looking to Rori. The other androids didn't waste time and sped off in the direction of Kame House.
"Hurry we're not going to wait" 18 called before they were out of sight.
17 turned to Rori, unsure of where he wanted to start. He wasn't ready to let her go. He thought she would just be a little distraction. And now they were here three days later way far behind what he'd planned. And he'd found he wanted to keep her, show her everything the way it should be. Get her to see the world from where he stood.
"So... when we get there-" Rori had started, but he'd cut her off his lips crashing against hers. He didn't want to hear what she was going to say anymore than she wanted to say it. Her arms involuntarily wrapped around his neck as she kissed him back with every in her. She didn't want this to end either. Just five more minutes? His hand slid down her back before she hopped up into his arms wrapping her legs around his waist. They'd kissed until there were out of breath and she leaned her forehead against his staring into his eyes, mentally asking him what they should do.
He answered her with a grin and held up something. She looked to his hand. It was the capsule containing her house. He reached back and threw it as far as he could.
"What are you doing?!" She asked confused, but couldn't wait around for an answer and chased it down. 17 smirked. It was probably very far away and in a spot she couldn't find by now. That would give him enough to get a head start. If he was lucky he'd have Goku dead before she even got there. Problem solved, he thought to himself and took off towards Kame House.
At Kame House, everything was quiet. Piccolo was watching the latest news reports in search of Cell. The others were all asleep infront of the tv. It had been a long few days. If they didn't find Cell or the androids soon, who knew what could happen. Piccolo wasn't ready to have another transformation situation on his hands like they'd had with Freeza on Namek. As of now, he was strong enough to kill Cell and possibly the androids; if he could just find them.
Outside there was a noise. Piccolo rushed to the door only to find the androids on their door step. He couldn't tell if this was his lucky day or his worst day in history.
"Yo!" 17 called over to him, "So, is Son Goku here?"
Piccolo grumbled and turned to the others still peacefully sleeping, "Wake up! We've got company!"
"He isn't here." 16 said as he scanned the area.
"Hey green bean, mind telling us where he is?" 17 couldn't resist getting a jab in now that he knew this was the guy Rori had been so lost over. This was going to be fun. 17 had found his new game for the time being.
"You think we'd really tell you?" Piccolo growled. These androids were unbelievable.
"Well I was hoping I'd have to make you." the male android said with a grin.
"I'd love to see you try. There's an uninhabited island not far from here. We'll do it there." Piccolo countered and hovered off the ground before turning the the rest of the fighters, "no one follow, you'll just get in the way!"
Piccolo and the androids flew over to the island and touched down. He began taking off his weighted training gear when he noticed the male android was watching him with a strange look on his face. The other two androids appeared to not care at all, but there was something to this one.
"This time if you don't give me the information I want, I will kill you."
Piccolo stared back at the android a bit confused, "you're fighting me alone?"
"Of course, there's no way you could beat me let alone all of us." he responded. Piccolo grinned at this and 17 spread his arms out waiting, "Well? come at me!"
Before Piccolo could moved a muscle, 17 went down. Rori was now standing where the android was with her hand still up after having landed a punch to 17's face. "You son of bitch! What the hell were you thinking?!"
17 got back up and she went to hit him again, but this time he was prepared and caught her wrist. Instead of punching her though, he pulled her in by her wrist, his other arm wrapping around her and kissed her roughly. Rori was furious, but to Piccolo's surprise she kissed him back, before she broke the kiss, "No! This has to stop!"
"Does it?" 17 asked arching his brow.
Piccolo wasn't sure what he was witnessing, but now he was pretty sure this wasn't happening and he must be back at Kame House fast asleep because this was his nightmare.
A/N: So... yeah...I've always thought 17 and Piccolo had some kind of weird rivalry... for no apparent reason... So I gave it one... Again as I've said before, this is very much a Piccolo / Oc fic and will end that way, no worries. Rori needed a rebound though. Thank you all for your lovely comments, I know they're not coming out very fast, but I promise they've pushed me to keep going. Next Piccolo and Rori will be stuck in the hyperbolic time chamber together and things will get hashed out. So... hope you enjoyed. Please review :)