Chi-Chi stared off in the distance, long after she had lost sight of the boat. She couldn't believe he'd just left her. Tears sprung in her eyes as the fears she had previously buried forced their way back into her heart.
Maybe…maybe she really did disgust him.
She knew things were still awkward between them. They hadn't returned to the level of comfort they shared before. Goku jumped every time she happened to touch him and he had practically given up on sparring all together after five minutes the next morning. But she had told herself it was fine. That it would pass. He was just shy! After all, though he jumped at her touch, he had no problem when he was the one initiating contact.
And good lord did he touch her a lot! Maybe it was because she was so aware of his reaction to her but she couldn't help but notice all the many times he casually touched her throughout the day. Hugging her after her accident. Peeking over her shoulder to sniff the food. Correcting her form. Tending to her scrapes and bruises…
But this was a sign wasn't it? He'd all but run away from her without barely a word! All those gestures…they were just because he was kind, not because he actually liked her. If he liked her, he wouldn't have run away. If he liked her, he wouldn't be so disgusted by her touch. If he liked her…if he liked her he would tell her what was wrong, wouldn't he?
Her tears threatened to spill from her eyes and she hurriedly wiped them away.
No! She had to stay strong. Goku would tell her if he was uncomfortable with her like that. He never had an issue announcing his distaste for something.
But…but Goku was also content to just follow her lead. What if that's what he was trying to do now? What if the only reason he hadn't run away yet was because he was trying to keep his promise to her? What if they married and had to live in separate houses because he couldn't stand to be near her?
She clasped her hands together in a desperate prayer. He would tell her right? Right?!
"You standing there ain't gonna make them return any faster dearie."
Chi-Chi blinked and turned to find a hunched little old lady cleaning fish just off to the side of the main path.
"What was that?"
"You heard me. Sure it's a woman's lot to wait for the menfolk to return but you might as well keep yourself busy in the meantime. It ain't healthy to sit around doin' nothin but waitin'."
"Oh…" Chi-Chi smiled, realizing the woman was trying to comfort her. She wiped away the rest of her tears, a little embarrassed at her display, and squatted down next to where the woman sat. "I agree. Unfortunately I'm not from these parts. You wouldn't happen to know anyone looking for work, would you?"
The old lady grinned, pleased, and then tapped a knife against her wrinkly cheek. "Well there's always work to be done somewhere…" Her gaze flickered to Chi-Chi's hands. "Be a shame to ruin such pretty hands though."
"I can handle it," Chi-Chi argued. "I've worked my whole life. Just tell me what to do."
"Is that so?" cackled the granny. "If only more youths were like you. Well, there won't be much to do on the docks until the men get back, but I gotta couple nieces who could use a hand. Can you sew?"
"Yes! I've known how since I was young."
"Good, good," she nodded approvingly and pointed away from the shore. "They live up top that hill over yonder. Just tell 'em Margi sent ya."
Chi-Chi thanked Margi and hurriedly made her way as directed, feeling renewed. Margi was right, it would do no good to worry herself into a state while waiting for Goku. He was doing his part, earning money, so she would do the same in the meantime. It's what they had agreed upon after all.
And sewing was something she could do!
As a child, she had known her Papa could hire the best tailors to make her anything she wanted…but she hadn't even thought to ask until she'd overheard some awful women gossiping at the market one day. They'd made several pointed comments—loudly—about her indecent attire. As if they themselves hadn't stripped down to their shifts to beat the heat from the fire! But she hadn't thought of that at the time. She had just felt so ashamed that she couldn't bear to ask her father for anything new and instead had rummaged through her mother's old things until she came across a worn sewing kit and thought to make something herself.
It'd taken her a whole week to make a simple dress that looked even halfway decent but she had managed, and she had felt proud of her accomplishment once she was done. After all the destruction her father and the fire had caused, it felt good learning how to create something instead. It was a shame that she had those awful women to thank for learning how to sew, but then again she knew she would have learned eventually. A good wife knew not only how to cook and clean but also how to sew, among other things, and she so wanted to be a good wife.
But she couldn't think about that right now. It would just lead her thoughts back to her current issues. Instead Chi-Chi thought about the last thing she had made and realized it had been the outfit she'd worn for the Tournament. The project before that she couldn't even remember, she'd been so focused on her training.
It would be nice to work on something again.
Chi-Chi picked up her pace, climbing the steep hill with ease, only to pause when she reached the top and found a single two story house, light pink with white trim, and a matching pink convertible parked right out front. It looked so different than the weathered village down below that for a moment she feared she stepped into another world altogether.
She hoped she was in the right place.
Chi-Chi rang the doorbell and heard someone scramble for the door before it was flung open to reveal a tanned young woman around her age, sucking a lollipop.
"Hiya! I'm Ker-ri! What's your name?"
"Chi-Chi."
"That's such a cute name!" Ker-ri gushed, flipping her bleached blonde hair. She took the candy out of her mouth with a hard 'pop'.
"What can I do for you?"
Chi-Chi hesitated, still not entirely sure she wasn't lost. "Margi sent me?"
"O.M.G. of course!" Ker-ri gasped. "We've been expecting you!"
She yanked Chi-Chi inside and herded her to a room in the back of the house where a young man and woman surrounded by photography equipment were worrying over something. Well, the woman was worrying in any case. The man seemed to be taking whatever the issue was in stride.
"We'll have to delay the shoot, Kenta."
"I still say you should just model the clothes yourself Babs, you're the prettiest girl in the world after all."
The woman smiled.
"But then who would take the pictures?"
As if hearing her cue, Ker-ri stepped forward with a grin pulling Chi-Chi along with her.
"Sis! She's here!"
The woman frowned and turned towards the two, confused, but her smile quickly returned upon spotting Chi-Chi. "Oh! Welcome! I'm so relieved your agency was able to send someone after all!"
Agency?
"I think there's been some sort of mistake," Chi-Chi blushed, waving the woman off. "Your Aunt Margi sent me. She said you might need a seamstress."
"You model and sew!" The woman gasped.
"What?! No! I've never modeled before!"
"Really? But you're so pretty?"
Chi-Chi's blush deepened as she pressed both hands to her cheeks, suddenly feeling shy. She'd always been proud of her looks but she never imagined she could be mistaken for a model! Especially not when the woman before her looked much more likely to be found in a fashion magazine herself, with her tall, lith frame, soft brown hair and olive skin tone. She looked like one of Chi-Chi's childhood dolls brought to life!
"Oh, where are my manners?" The pretty brunette smiled, tapping her forehead. "I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Bha-bi, I'm a fashion designer."
"Who doubles as the photographer," Kenta smirked.
Bha-bi smiled and waved him off.
"A woman's got to do what a woman's got to do. Speaking of which, won't you consider modeling for us after all miss…"
"Chi-Chi!" Ker-ri answered on her behalf, while Chi-Chi began to wring her hands.
"I don't know…I really don't know anything about modeling. I don't think I'd be very good."
And most models didn't have visible muscles like she did, not unless they were in a sports magazine.
"Nonsense!" Bha-bi smiled, "I can already tell you have excellent posture and Kenta here can help you pose in ways that are still comfortable." She shot him a loving smile. "He really is the best!"
"Thanks Babs," Kenta winked.
"Plus I don't shoot faces. The clothes are the star after all! So if that's what you're worried about, don't! Not that you need to, you're gorgeous!"
"Well…I suppose I could try," Chi-Chi offered, though she really didn't think she would be any good.
All three of them lit up regardless, with Bha-bi going so far as to grab Chi-Chi's hands in her excitement.
"Oh thank you Miss Chi-Chi! You won't regret this!"
Chi-Chi wasn't so sure, especially not after she was bustled into a back room where a third woman was laying out tools that made her want to run and hide.
"Hi there! The name's Stace. Take a seat please."
Chi-Chi hesitated but did as she was told as the woman flitted around the room. It seems that though her face wouldn't be shown, Chi-Chi's hair was another story. Stace washed and trimmed her locks, treating them with the nicest smelling conditioner she had ever encountered, and then brushed and blowed until her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders and down her back.
She stared in the mirror amazed as she ran her fingers through her hair. Stace was an even better stylist than the one her father employed back at the castle! Chi-Chi had always enjoyed the results from a trip to Sherri's but she didn't think even her long-time stylist could argue that Stace was some kind of prodigy!
But she didn't have time to marvel over the loveliness of her hair because as soon as it was prepped, Chi-Chi was hurried over to a dressing room, containing a rotating closet, and handed a yellow sundress to slip on. It was a pretty dress that exposed more than she was used to but not uncomfortably so. In fact…she might even make one for herself, she liked it so much.
"It looks good on you," Stace grinned, clipping her hair back a little. "Very nice. Now why don't you head over to the studio down the hall and Bha-bi can get started, yeah?"
Chi-Chi smiled and did as she was told, feeling very feminine as she walked down the hall to where Kenta was waiting on set.
"There she is," Kenta beamed, running a hand through his dark locks. "And don't you look lovely."
Chi-Chi blushed. "Stace is very talented."
"That she is but you made her job easy," he winked.
She smiled but shifted uneasily, wondering when the other woman would arrive. Kenta seemed nice enough but so had Hou Yi. Still, she didn't want to be rude.
"You look very nice as well. Did Bha-bi design your clothes also?"
"I sure did!" called a voice from behind a curtain, easing any tension Chi-Chi felt as Kenta twirled and showed off the goods, a pair of tweed pants and a shirt made of the same soft material of her dress.
"Babs can make anyone look good but it doesn't hurt that I'm handsome already," he grinned, flashing a set of perfect white teeth.
Chi-Chi smiled. She had met quite a few men who were proud of their looks but Kenta was so sweet and playful about it that she rather liked him better for it. And it's not like he was wrong.
"Alright!" Bha-bi called, stepping out with a camera with a long lens. "Are we all ready?"
At the reminder of why she was there, Chi-Chi stiffened and sucked in a startled breath, much to Bha-bi's amusement.
"Maybe a light drink is in order, what do you say? I make a great 'Kiss on the Beach' thanks to my years of bartending."
"You were a bartender?"
"I sure was! It helped get me through college. Double majoring in engineering and interior design isn't easy but something about interacting with the myriad of people that go through a bar night after night really helped me keep my sanity through it all!" Bha-bi laughed.
Chi-Chi gasped. "Engineering and design? Is there anything you can't do?"
"Not that I've encountered yet!"
"Oh I know!" Kenta beamed. "My girl can't fail!"
"Oh you," Bha-bi smiled, waving him off.
"What? You know it's true."
"Actually, I suppose there is one thing I'm bad at. I'm not very good at sticking to one thing," she laughed.
"That's not a bad thing though!" Chi-Chi argued. It was better to be skilled at many things than nothing at all.
"I'm glad you think so," Bha-bi smiled. "Are you in school?"
"Oh no, I've never been interested in those sorts of things. I'm sure my father would love it. I've had enough tutors over the years, but I've only ever dreamed of being a wife and mother. Only having to worry over my family instead of an entire…er…" Chi-Chi trailed off, realizing she was saying too much as Bha-bi just smiled politely waiting for her to finish.
"I'd just rather a quiet, simple life."
"That's a great dream!" The older woman smiled, reaching out to give her shoulder a slight squeeze. "Some days I dream of that too and then others I'm starting a thousand new goals. I envy you for knowing what you want."
Chi-Chi smiled, happy to be praised by such an impressive woman. She wondered if this is what having a big sister felt like?
"Now how about that drink?"
"I'd love one, thank you."
"Comin' right up!" Bha-bi wandered off to whip up the drink, leaving Chi-Chi alone with Kenta.
He turned to her with a smile and clapped his hands. "Should we work on some poses?"
"A-Alright."
"Great! Now, the thing to remember is we want to display the clothes, so avoid doing anything that bunches the cloth up or makes it lay unnatural," he instructed as he directed her to face a large mirror.
"That makes sense."
"Right? Which means you've got to think 'long'." He stretched his body out, demonstrating what he meant. "The second thing is to be dramatic."
Chi-Chi blinked. "Dramatic?"
"Yeah! Pop a heel, swoon, shoot a flirty look over one shoulder!" He demonstrated each in such a fashion that Chi-Chi couldn't help but giggle.
Kenta shot her a wink before continuing. "You want to have fun with it. We're going to do our joint pics first until you get the feel for it, so don't be afraid to hang off me if need be, I won't let you fall."
"We're doing it together?!" She gasped, feeling tense again. This back and forth was too much for her. Clearly this was a mistake. She would just thank them for the opportunity and leave but before she could open her mouth to speak, Kenta beat her to it, having noticed her discomfort.
"Hey, it's okay," He murmured softly. "I promise I won't do anything that might make you uncomfortable. If it helps, you can imagine I'm your man cause a swell girl like you has got to have one, right?"
Chi-Chi blushed, her thoughts immediately jumping to Goku, but any happy feelings she felt quickly soured as she remembered how he had just upped and left her that morning.
"I thought I did," she sighed softly. "But I don't think it's going to work out…"
Kenta frowned. "What? Why not?"
Chi-Chi hesitated, worrying the fabric of her dress before she realized what she was doing. She hurriedly tried to smooth the material down, thankful she hadn't messed up the fabric too much, as she decided what to say. She wasn't comfortable airing such private matters normally, but she had been the one to bring it up first. Plus after the past few days, it would be nice to discuss her fears with someone else, especially someone that could offer a male perspective. If it were anyone other than Goku, she wouldn't feel so lost, but he always managed to stir her emotions all over the place.
"Something happened," she admitted after a minute. "It wasn't his fault or even mine really…but now he gets jumpy every time I accidentally touch him."
"Jumpy huh?" Kenta frowned and tapped a finger against his pursed lips before smiling widely. "I don't think you have anything to worry about. A great gal like you? He's probably just as flustered as I am whenever I'm around Babs."
Chi-Chi eyed him skeptically. "You don't seem flustered at all!"
"Sure I am!" He argued, gesturing to himself as if it were obvious. "But I've learned to control it. I want to be someone Bha-bi can depend on! Can't do that if I'm too flustered to help."
"And you really think that's what's wrong with Goku?"
"Is that his name? I like it. He sounds cool!"
Chi-Chi blushed and sighed, unable to disagree. "He really is…"
"See?" Kenta snapped and pointed at her. "That's how I know. He's got to be a great guy to have a girl like you into him. So that's the only thing that makes sense."
Chi-Chi didn't know if she could agree with such simple logic, but Kenta seemed so confident that she couldn't help but feel hopeful about the whole thing.
"Bha-bi is really lucky to have such a sweet guy like you."
"I sure am," Bha-bi beamed, walking back with two pink fruity drinks and a bottle of water. "Isn't he the best?"
Kenta blushed and turned away with a mumbled, "Aw shucks ladies." making both girls giggle.
Chi-Chi smiled as she took a sip of her drink, enjoying the fruity flavor, and decided maybe she could do this after all, or at least try. It'd be worth the attempt just to have an excuse to be around such nice people for a little while longer. Their positive energy would be a good distraction from her troubles and hopefully lift her own mood as well.
So with that in mind, Chi-Chi finished her drink and got to work, though it was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before. Kenta was sweet and charming, always asking permission to touch her before he did anything, such as putting his hands on her shoulders or waist. But once she made it clear that he didn't need to ask permission, he pulled her into a dance, spinning her and the yellow sundress around like a daisy making her and Bha-bi laugh so much, Chi-Chi began to fear they'd never get done!
However Bha-bi was content to go with the flow, never really directing them or telling them how to move or act. She trusted Kenta to do his part while she did hers, snapping a flurry of pictures as he guided Chi-Chi from one pose to the next.
When it was Chi-Chi's turn to do a solo shoot, Kenta moved to stand just behind Bha-bi, acting out poses for her to mimic. No matter how feminine the stance, he did them with confidence, giving Chi-Chi the courage to do so as well until she no longer had to fake it by the time they took a small break to change outfits.
The next was a pencil skirt with a small flare and a silk white blouse and heels that would have normally left Chi-Chi fearing for her ankles. But she was feeling good and it must have shown because Ker-ri winked and whistled appreciatively as she handed Chi-Chi a prop briefcase before rushing off to do something else.
Kenta had changed too, into an emerald three piece suit paired with cowboy boots and a bolo tie. Chi-Chi had never seen such a combo before, but there was something about it she liked.
This time they posed on furniture. First a desk, then a couch and a bookcase. Bha-bi moved with grace as she glided across the room, snapping pic after pic while Chi-Chi pretended that perhaps this is what it would feel like if she took over her father's kingdom after all. She would have to exude confidence and poise. Maturity.
She looked mature with her hair in a bun—thanks to Stace's quick fingers—but was she ready for that? If things with Goku didn't work out, could she really give up her dreams? Her freedom?
Chi-Chi hurried back to the dressing room where Stace and Ker-ri were ready to help her change into another outfit, her thoughts in a jumble.
All she knew was that before this journey began, she would have never imagined doing half the things she'd done. Would have never experienced so many things or met so many new friends.
She buttoned the highwaisted pants and pulled the crop top down, frowning when she noticed the skin displayed between the gap. But even though she was more than a little scandalized, she had to admit it was cute.
"Goodness," Chi-Chi murmured, pressing a single hand to her face. It seemed she was learning more and more about herself than she ever could have predicted.
She smiled and stepped out of the room. "Can't stop now!"
…
"Oh my!" Chi-Chi sighed, falling back into a chair. "Modeling sure takes a lotta work!" She fanned herself off and twisted her head in Bha-bi's direction where the photographer/designer was busy looking over her shots.
"Are they any good?"
"Mhm, take a look at this!" Bha-bi murmured, tilting the image view screen towards Chi-Chi, who leaned in curiously.
There she was in the soft yellow dress, both hands against her mouth to keep from laughing as Kenta did something ridiculous off stage. Chi-Chi stared in awe. While she'd initially feared she'd be too muscular to model—though she was pleasantly surprised by how feminine she looked in the dress—she was more shocked by how much she resembled her mother in the photo. There were only a handful of pictures of her that had survived the fires but Chi-Chi had stared at them long enough to be struck at the resemblance.
"Would you mind making me a copy of this?"
"Of course!" Bha-bi smiled. "I told you these would come out great. I don't suppose you'd be willing to do another shoot? Maybe on location?"
"I don't know…I'm only here for the week." That is, if Goku still wanted to travel with her when he got back.
"A week's all I need! I can design and sew up some outfits over the next few days and then we can go to a nearby place for the day. It's got pretty white beaches and this romantic little inn that I've just been dying to visit! Oh say you'll go, Chi-Chi, pretty please?"
"Well alright." She did have a lot of fun today. "I can help sew if you need. That's why Margi originally sent me."
Bha-bi gasped happily. "I'd forgotten about that! Then yes please!" She stood and pulled out a phone. "I'm so happy we can spend more time together. I'll go set a reservation with the inn right now. We can spend the night before we head back for Ker-ri's party. You're invited of course."
"I couldn't! Surely she wouldn't want a stranger attending?"
"Oh don't worry about that. It's just a hundred of her closest friends and family coming to celebrate her turning eighteen. It'll be great! Besides she loves you, a big sis can tell." Bha-bi winked. "I bet by the end of the week she'll be rocking ebony locks instead of her current look."
Chi-Chi smiled and shook her head. Surely so much dye couldn't be good for the girl's hair but with a prodigy like Stace around, Ker-ri probably couldn't do too much damage. "Well if you insist, maybe I can whip up a few things to contribute."
"You can cook too?!" Bha-bi gasped, before smiling wide and adding, "I guess I'm not the only girl of many talents around here. If you ever find that dream of yours changing, you better give me a call 'kay?"
Chi-Chi blushed and promised she would, though she didn't see that happening. As much fun as she'd been having, she knew she was a homebody at heart. Even if things didn't work out with Goku, her heart still longed for a loving family far from the drama of the world. Nothing would ever change that.
o0o
The next few days passed very quickly, with Chi-Chi and the others working long days to stitch together several outfits intended for a day on the beach. It was a blessing in disguise for Chi-Chi, who was so tired by the end of each day that she crashed immediately into bed, with only vague dreams of being strangled by cloth to disturb her. Though each day she woke up more tired than the last.
She did her best to avoid thinking of Goku.
Oh she had made plans for the worst outcome, sure. Told herself that she would continue her journey, travel the globe and with a little luck find someone else who held similar interests, that wasn't intimidated by her and could be content with a simple lifestyle away from everyone else. But if Goku didn't want that with her…would she really be able to have that with anyone else? It wasn't just because Goku had touched her intimately as a child that she'd fallen so hard for him. She hadn't yet met anyone who had stirred her heart the way he had. Despite their misunderstandings, she had felt a spark, a connection that had latched onto her tight. The very thought of having to say goodbye…to never smile and laugh with him again…it hurt so much she couldn't stand it!
Chi-Chi sighed, disappointed with herself. She had thought she had dealt with these feelings after the last time they'd been separated but when she considered how much closer they had gotten in recent weeks, it was no wonder she was feeling the distance between them so keenly.
And yet, there was nothing she could do to get to the bottom of his strange behavior until Goku returned. So instead she did her best to keep busy and ignore the nagging voices full of doubt that popped up whenever she had a moment to herself, like now.
Chi-Chi sighed, staring but not really seeing the bone white beaches outside her window. It was still dark and the stark whiteness was almost eerie, however neither Bha-bi nor Kenta—who were both up front driving—seemed disturbed, and Stace and Ker-ri were both currently passed out in their seats due to the early hour, leaving her the odd one out with this unsettling feeling.
Unfortunately Chi-Chi's unease only seemed to grow as they pulled up to an old, worn looking inn halfway up the cliff.
"Isn't this place romantic looking Chi-Chi?" Bha-bi grinned, looking back at her over her shoulder as the other girls began to stir. "We'll make sure to get a few shots this evening when the moon is out in full force! Everything will look gorgeous!"
Chi-Chi forced a smile. "It's, uh…got a very unearthly look about it."
"That's because it's haunted!"
Ker-ri, who had barely begun to open her eyes, jolted up wide awake at this comment and screamed. "Haunted?! Sis you never said it was haunted!"
"It's not really," Bha-bi promised. "Daph-ni was the one who said it was but you know how she is. Always eager for a mystery."
"And even if it was, I'm here to protect you ladies," Kenta added, flexing muscles that Chi-Chi figured would look impressive to anyone who hadn't met Goku.
"It'll take more than a greased up dodo for brains to fend off the spirits of this place."
"AH!"
Everyone screamed, shocked by the sudden appearance of an ancient looking crone standing right outside their vehicle.
"My goodness!" Bha-bi smiled, pressing a hand to her chest and looking quite flustered. "You must be Aniba! You gave us a bit of a fright. I'm Bha-bi. We spoke over the phone? I have a reservation."
"Don't know what pretty folk like you all want with a place like this," Aniba grumbled as they all climbed out of the hover car.
Ker-ri shuffled closer to her sister and tugged on her shirt. "Sis? Maybe this wasn't a good idea."
But before Bha-bi could respond, the old woman suddenly spun to face Ker-ri, examining her up and down with a wide grin.
"What's this? Why aren't you a pretty thing. On the cusp of womanhood, hmm?"
Ker-ri shied away from the old woman, retreating behind her sister as Bha-bi's brows furrowed in concern. It wasn't like Ker-ri to be shy.
"Her birthday's tomorrow," she told Aniba.
"Wonderful! Just wonderful," crowed the old woman, clasping her hands together. "Well it might not look like much but I promise you'll be comfortable. Why don't you go inside and see for yourself, hm?"
She tapped Ker-ri forward, ignoring the rest, who followed behind, confused by the woman's strange behavior but willing to go along for now.
Fortunately the inside was in moderately better shape than the outside. There were no cobwebs or dust, nothing that would give a negative impression at first sight aside for a lack of lighting. However there were plenty of windows, so they could still see as Aniba grabbed several old fashioned keys from a hook before guiding them down a narrow hall, opening rooms one by one.
"These will be your rooms. They're not much but they're clean and tidy and I expect them to be equally so when you all check out. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am," they all murmured.
The old lady huffed, eyeing them one by one, letting her gaze linger on Ker-ri the longest, before she spun on her heel and walked back down the hall. "If you need me, I'll be in my office behind the check-in counter."
There was a slam of a door that rattled the fixtures and then silence.
Chi-Chi shivered, feeling uneasy. She glanced around the hall expecting to see something to confirm her suspicions but there was nothing that stood out to her. Still she couldn't shake the feeling as if someone was watching them.
"Right, well," Bha-bi murmured, breaking through Chi-Chi's thoughts. "Stace and Chi-Chi why don't you start getting ready. Ker-ri, Kenta and I will grab the stuff."
Everyone agreed and went their separate ways, as Chi-Chi looked back over her shoulder to the door the innkeeper had disappeared behind and sighed. It was probably just the lack of good sleep finally catching up with her.
She hurried after Stace, ready to face another long day of work.
Unsurprisingly it went very similarly to the first, with Stace washing and conditioning her hair and then styling it in soft ringlets, followed by an entire day of photography work. They started off on the porch, taking in the early morning light with Chi-Chi wearing a silk robe and slippers before she got to switch them out for rain boots while she tramped around the property pretending to fix something or other.
Chi-Chi couldn't understand why anyone would walk around in their nightclothes to fix things outdoors but when she looked at the photos later, she had to admit there was something appealing about the conflicting imagery.
After that they went down to the beach, where Ker-ri and Kenta joined her doing various activities. They dug for clams, splashed around in the water, they even played a mock game of volleyball, all while dressed in various swimsuits and beachwear throughout the day. Bha-bi even took advantage of the packed lunch Chi-Chi had prepared, taking pictures of the impromptu picnic before finally joining in to eat with delight.
"Oh this is so good, Chi-Chi! Please tell me you'll give me the recipe!" Bha-bi begged before taking another dainty bite. She shut her eyes as she savored the flavors on her tongue. "I've never had a tart this good!'
"I second that!" Kenta mumbled around a mouthful of food. He shoved another spoonful into his mouth and groaned. "So damn good."
"Will you make some more for my party?" Ker-ri pleaded, making her eyes go wide and watery in a way that Chi-Chi was sure always got her what she wanted.
It made her want to tease the younger girl a little.
"Are you sure? You don't want a cake for your birthday instead?"
If possible, Ker-ri's eyes seemed to go wider at the thought.
"O.M.G. YES! Yes please!"
Chi-Chi laughed and promised she would, earning cheers from the others and an energetic teenager practically tackling her to the ground.
The rest of the day went a little slower after that. They returned to the old inn where Chi-Chi and Kenta pretended to have a romantic dinner before they wandered back outside to get a few shots in the moonlight. Chi-Chi could only imagine how the pictures would turn out. Dressed as she was in a long, thin white dress and her hair loose and blowing in the breeze all around her…she probably looked like a ghost!
Bha-bi seemed to think otherwise though, because she was very happy when she finally called it quits, practically skipping on her way back to the inn. Either way, Chi-Chi was just grateful that the day was finally over. How was it that just standing around taking a few pictures could exhaust her so much? It was certainly a different type of workout than she was used to.
She wondered briefly how Goku would fare in her place but realistically knew he would have no problem. If anything the risk would be of him growing bored but he was certainly handsome enough to be a model, with those dark eyes and messy hair. Even if he was only a little taller than her, he had such a large presence that just seemed to draw others in, just like the sun.
Was he doing alright? Was he getting enough to eat? She could easily imagine the work trip taking longer than necessary because Goku kept eating all the fish but she knew physically he was probably fine.
Was he…was he thinking about her at all? Would things go back to normal once he returned?
Chi-Chi turned off the lights and dropped into her surprisingly comfy bed with a large sigh.
Three more days. He'd be back in just three more days and then, hopefully, they could finally put whatever awkwardness was between them aside and resume their journey like normal.
In the meantime, she was going to get a good long night of sleep…she'd certainly earned it.
.
.
.
Three hours later, Chi-chi was still wide awake. She tossed and turned and then tossed again but no matter what position she took, she just couldn't fall asleep. Frustrated, she shoved her blankets aside and stood, although what she planned to do now that she was up she didn't know. She just knew she couldn't stay in bed any longer.
Maybe a nice cup of tea would soothe her.
Once the thought crossed her mind, she couldn't let it go. Tea did sound really good right then and it had always helped her sleep in the past. She hoped the innkeeper didn't mind her poking around in the kitchen.
Decided, Chi-Chi slipped on her robe and slippers before stepping out into the hallway, only to be shocked to find the space pitch black. A chill raced up her spine and warning bells were going off in her head. She stepped back into her room and shut the door as swiftly and quietly as she could and waited. At first she heard nothing, but that in itself was alarming because she quickly realized there were no crickets, no crashing waves, no wind creaking through the baseboards.
Everything was deathly silent.
Then, just as she was beginning to imagine it was all in her head, she heard a scratching in the hall, as if something was dragging itself across the floor. A heavy something from the sound of it.
Chi-Chi held herself perfectly still, refusing to budge as the creature paused outside her door. Could it hear her heart thundering against her chest? If it did, it chose to ignore it. She nearly sighed in relief as she heard it drag itself further down the hall.
Then she heard the creak of a door, reminding her that she hadn't come to this inn alone.
Oh no! She had to do something!
She snatched her sash from her bedside table and threw her door open wide before dashing into the darkness and down the hall to the only room that remained in that direction. The one Ker-ri had taken.
Chi-Chi couldn't see a thing from her room to Ker-ri's but luckily the creature hadn't bothered shutting the door. A thin trail of moonlight peaked in through the young girl's bedroom window, giving her just enough light to make out a vague outline of the room. She slapped on the lights as quickly as she could, revealing something huge and grotesque bursting out of the innkeeper's body as it held up an unconscious Ker-ri high in the air by her throat.
It sneered in her direction before stretching its mouth wide, preparing to swallow the young girl whole.
"Let her go!" Chi-Chi demanded, flinging her sash out to clench the creature's mouth shut. At the snap of its teeth she yanked it towards her and kicked, breaking the creature's hold and sending Ker-ri crashing to the floor.
Chi-Chi flinched and prayed she hadn't made things worse but there was no time to check on her friend now. She needed to stop the monster!
The creature lunged and Chi-Chi dodged, striking with the heels of her palms several times before throwing in a roundhouse kick that sent the creature flying through the outer wall.
She listened for the sound of its return but when nothing happened she spun around to check on Ker-ri.
"Ker-ri! Ker-ri! Wake up!"
Chi-Chi shook the girl roughly, to no avail, when she felt a chill rush through her. She spun on her heel and just barely blocked the creature's attack. Unfortunately she hadn't expected the tentacles that emerged from the old lady's shell to burst out and snatch her up at the waist. It slammed her against the ceiling, making her ears ring.
"You!" The creature hissed. "You dare to interrupt my meal?!"
A long narrow tongue slithered up around Chi-Chi's legs and arms, pinning them to her sides and making her shudder. She was going to need to take multiple baths after this.
"You are not as fresh as the other one but you'll still make a tasty meal…"
"You're not eating anyone!" Chi-Chi growled. She dug her nails into whatever part of the creature she could touch and shoved her ki towards its heart.
The creature screamed as the current rendered its limbs useless. It tried in vain to hold onto Chi-Chi but a second surge of ki was enough to earn her freedom and shake the tentacles off of her.
"No! NO! You cannot stop me!" It cried, even as its limbs shriveled away. It hadn't lived this long to be so easily defeated!
Chi-Chi readied herself for another attack—this one to end its existence—when a hard thunk from behind knocked the creature to the ground. It was the opening she needed. She charged her foot and lifted it high, bringing her heel down in a swift arch that split the remains of the creature in half.
As the creature withered away, Chi-Chi glanced toward the door to see who had assisted her.
"Bha-bi!" Chi-Chi gasped, surprised to see her standing there in pajamas and bunny slippers while holding a solid looking baseball bat. "Where did you get that?"
Bha-bi grinned as Kenta and Stace came running up behind her, similarly armed. "I played softball in high school. Never leave home without it!"
Despite what had just happened, Chi-Chi felt a wry grin lift her lips.
"You really are a girl of many talents," she joked before a heavy groan caught their attention, followed by a soft, "Chi-Chi? Sis? What happened?"
Both women froze, not sure what to say. Did they tell her the truth? Would she even believe them? Luckily Kenta had a solution.
"You fell out of bed and bumped your head, you clumsy girl! In fact, we should probably head to the hospital. Don't want to have a concussion on your birthday, do you?"
He stepped forward and helped her up, before guiding her out of the room. Stace stepped in to assist as well, though she shot the other women a questioning look as she left. Clearly she wouldn't be so easily convinced but Chi-Chi wasn't as concerned about telling her what happened, only Ker-ri. The last thing that poor girl needed was to be scarred for life!
"Thank goodness for Kenta!" she sighed.
Bha-bi nodded. "He always knows just what to say." She looked around at the mess then at the remains of the old innkeeper and frowned. "And on that note, we should probably get out of here as well."
"Agreed!"
They quickly gathered up their things, packed up the hover car and took off. Just in time too. For the second they turned onto the main street, the entire inn seemed to crumble away until nothing remained.
"Oh geez," Bha-bi sighed, as she looked back in the rear view mirror. "Wait until my cousin Daph-ni hears about this!"
"Don't forget about Freddi," Kenta reminded her. "He'll be at the party too."
"Ooooh, that's right! Now I'll never hear the end of this!"
Chi-Chi wondered who this Daph-ni and Freddi were and why Bha-bi seemed so troubled by them learning about what happened but she couldn't focus on it for long. As the car flew down the highway, Chi-Chi finally felt the week's events catching up to her.
The last thing she remembered was thinking if things didn't pan out with Goku…she would like to continue doing this. Going on adventures, helping people, experiencing the world…
She fell asleep with a smile on her face.